At Christmas, everyone has a favourite magic ingredient, the one thing that makes their holiday season complete.
From Christmas day cricket in Australia to waterside walks in Hong Kong, we asked our global network of Tripbods what local traditions make their festive season special and discover just how much we have in common when it comes to holiday spirit.
Yucatan, Mexico: Rama and the Posadas
On the Yucatan Peninsula, we have two very special traditions for Christmas: “Rama†and the “Posadasâ€.
Rama always starts on the 1st December when people collect the branches (ramas) of different trees in order to decorate them like Christmas trees with colored paper or orange peel. Unlike the Christmas tree, the ramas are used for nocturnal processions accompanied by friends, family members and neighbors.
While walking house to house (like on Halloween) the people ask for treats or small Christmas gifts, singing lines of Christmas songs.
Rama ends with the beginning of the Posadas on the 16th December. This 9-day Catholic celebration symbolizes the trials of Mary and Joseph before finding a place to stay where Jesus could be born.
The neighborhood children all carry small lit candles are the pilgrims (peregrinos), who have to request lodging by going house to house singing a traditional song.
Kenneth, Tripbod in Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Madeira: Christmas market night
My favourite event has to be Christmas market night on 23rd December. Funchal comes alive and the streets are closed. Fruit and veg stalls line the pavements, along with people selling Christmas trees. Lots of small food vans, bars and lively music keep everyone in a good mood all through the night. From 11pm-midnight there are carols in the main market hall. This night gets very busy and everyone dresses up as Santa – at the least they wear a hat. It’s magical.
Queensland, Australia: Christmas day backyard cricket
As Christmas Day in Australia is traditionally hot, and cricket is our favourite summer sport, a favourite pasttime of mine after Christmas lunch is for everyone to get out and play some backyard cricket!
Cumbria & Lake District, UK: Tree decoration & Christmas eve wishes
We decorate the tree ten days before Christmas and invite family and friends to join us to, bringing a decoration each. We unwrap the baubles & decorations from previous years, share stories of how we got some of them and tales of our favourite Christmases from the past.
Each Christmas Eve we all say one thing that we want on the following day, for example breakfast in bed with smoked salmon bagels and Bucks Fizz (Mum), a walk to the pub (Dad and Uncles), a sleep after dinner (Aunt). It usually takes a bit of negotiating but we all get to do something we really want.
Zoe, Tripbod in Cumbria & Lake District, UK
Venice, Italy: Going home
For me, my favorite Christmas day tradition was the drive to my Grandparents. We would wake up early on Christmas day to see what Santa had brought us and then pack up the car and head out for the 7 hour drive. First we would stop at the local family restaurant and have our traditional Christmas Day Cinnamon Roll (which is still a tradition in my family, but now Mom has time to make them). Then, we would drive for what seemed like all day to get to my Grandparent’s house and celebrate with the Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins! I still love holiday traveling because of this.
Brad, Tripbod in Venice, Italy
Hanoi, Vietnam: Beer stall catch-ups at the roadside
My favourite tradition is to gather together with friends along a roadside “bia hoi” stall, squatting on the mini-chairs and wrapped up in jackets, scarves and gloves as we sit out in the open cold. “Bia hoi” is the local draught beer. You buy them in glasses and they are really cheap (around 10,000 VND or US$0.50 per glass). Sipping the beer, we will catch up on the year that has almost gone by, and update one-another on the latest developments in our lives.
Thuy, Tripbod in Hanoi, Vietnam
Slovenia: Midnight mass
In Slovenia, Christmas Eve is very important. We share dinner with our family, open our gifts and then walk through the snowy woods by torchlight to midnight mass. It’s a really and magical experience, especially with the snow all around us.
Hong Kong: Riverside walk admiring the Christmas lights
My favourite Christmas day tradition is walking along the bank of Victoria Harbour seeing all the lighting decorations outside the buildings. It is such a fantastic experience to see the lights sparkling on the buildings, reflected in the harbour waters. You can hear people singing Christmas Carol and stop to buy various kinds of Christmas accessories or delicious snacks from the street stalls as you walk.
Virginia, Tripbod in Hong Kong
Porto, Portugal: Christmas day surfing
I love going surfing on Christmas day (and New Years day)! It’s a Christmas gift to myself – after the rush of Christmas it’s nice to be alone and the wáter is never too crowded!
Andre, Tripbod in Porto, Portugal
Wherever you are in the world, we’d love to hear your favourite local Christmas traditions and what makes them so special.
Going away for Christmas? Contact Tripbod for personal recommendations and local interaction before you go, guaranteed to make yours a Christmas holiday to remember.
