Christmas Eve: Traditions from around the world

Are you stocked up on milk and cookies for Santa and his reindeers tonight? It’s a Christmas Eve tradition in the UK, but many countries have their own.

In Canada it is today that wrapping paper is being torn off the gifts under the tree. Many people open their presents today, leaving just one for tomorrow.

Food plays a big role today in many European countries. In Germany for example it is tradition to eat simple, usually potato salad with sausage to remember a time when the period between St Martin’s Day and Christmas Eve was a time of fasting in Christianity.

Italy meanwhile are enjoying the Feast of Seven Fishes, serving seven different seafood dishes. A tradition traced back to the Roman Catholic’s abstinence of meat on Christmas Eve.

Finally, you’ll find a night sky awash with fireworks and paper lanterns in Argentina where it is customary to head outside at midnight Christmas Eve to watch the show and bring in the big day.

You may have your own annual tradition each year on this day, whatever it is we hope you are all prepared for the big day itself, just one sleep to go!