Christmas and winter holidays around the world
Ten holiday traditions from ten countries, each shared by one of our 71 friends from around the world, with a food to try, a simple activity and gift ideas for every fan on your list.
10 holiday traditions to explore
Pick one tradition a day in December. Read it together, say hello in the friend’s language and try the activity.
1. Mexico · with Fernando Avocado
Las Posadas
For nine nights, from 16 to 24 December, families walk from house to house singing, then break open a star-shaped piñata and share warm fruit punch called ponche.
Try it at home: Make a paper star and fill it with clementines and nuts.
“¡Hola!” Meet Fernando →
2. Philippines · with Malunggay Moringa
Parol star lanterns
Bright star lanterns called parol glow in windows all season long, and the Christmas season here is one of the longest in the world, starting in September.
Try it at home: Cut a five-point paper star and hang it in a window.
“Kumusta!” Meet Malunggay →
3. Italy · with Gino Tomato
La Befana
On the night before 6 January, a kind old woman called La Befana is said to fly on her broom and fill children’s stockings with sweets. Many families share panettone.
Try it at home: Bake or share a slice of fruity sweet bread.
“Ciao!” Meet Gino →
4. Germany · with Hans Asparagus
Advent and Christmas markets
Families count down the days with Advent calendars and visit twinkly Christmas markets, and on 6 December children leave out a shoe for St Nicholas.
Try it at home: Make a 24-day countdown with paper pockets.
“Hallo!” Meet Hans →
5. England · with Annabel Apple
Christmas crackers
At Christmas dinner, everyone pulls a paper cracker with a friend. Snap! Out falls a paper crown, a tiny toy and a joke to read aloud.
Try it at home: Make paper crowns and swap your silliest jokes.
“Hello!” Meet Annabel →
6. Sweden · with Linn Lingonberry
St Lucia Day
On 13 December, children in white gowns walk in a candlelit procession, singing and carrying soft saffron buns called lussekatter.
Try it at home: Bake S-shaped buns or sing by (safe, battery) candlelight.
“Hej!” Meet Linn →
7. Australia · with Mate Mango
Christmas in summer
December is summertime, so many families celebrate with picnics, the beach and a pavlova piled with fresh fruit. Mangoes are in season too!
Try it at home: Build a fruit “pavlova” plate with mango and berries.
“G'day!” Meet Mate →
8. Ethiopia · with Kafa Coffee
Genna on 7 January
Many families celebrate Christmas, called Genna, on 7 January. People often dress in white and share a big festive meal together.
Try it at home: Try a new spice and share a meal with friends.
“ሰላም!” Meet Kafa →
9. Japan · with Saki Shiitake
New Year (Shōgatsu)
The biggest winter celebration is New Year. On 31 December families eat long toshikoshi soba noodles, and on New Year’s Day they open beautiful osechi food boxes.
Try it at home: Slurp noodles together on New Year’s Eve.
“こんにちは!” Meet Saki →
10. Ukraine · with Bakey Potato
The Holy Supper
On Christmas Eve, many families share a Holy Supper of twelve dishes, starting with kutia, a sweet wheat, poppy seed and honey dish, once the first star appears.
Try it at home: Count twelve different plant foods at one meal.
“Привіт!” Meet Bakey →
Holiday gifts from the Pauli shop
Screen-free gifts starring the 71 friends from around the world.
Search & Play hidden-object book
88 full-colour pages of hidden-object scenes and bonus puzzles. Perfect for trips and stockings.
Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Collector sticker sheets
Glossy kiss-cut sheets, $9.99 each. Collect all 71 friends. Secure PayPal checkout.
Shop sticker sheets
Picture books
One friend, one country per book. Pair a book with that country’s tradition above.
See the picture books
Pauli’s Global Passport
Stamp your way around the world, one friend at a time.
See the passport
Free extras: colouring pages, the online passport game and Guess where I’m from.