For many, Christmas is much more than a holiday and the chance to spend time with friends and family, it’s the opportunity to (over) indulge in all sorts of beautiful foods from orange-stuffed Christmas puddings, sausages wrapped in bacon and, at least here in the UK, more than the odd few turkey sandwiches. In this post we’ve asked Cheapflights’ employees what typical Christmas dishes can be found on their Christmas dinner tables. Here goes, 125 dishes from destinations worldwide.
Christmas in Germany:
In Germany families celebrate on 24 December, usually by attending Church, singing Christmas songs, opening presents and then enjoying a huge dinner. The 25th is often celebrated with a big Christmas lunch where the extended family (including grandparents, uncles and cousins) get together.
The Raclette is a kitchen device and everyone gets a small pan, fills it with different things such as salami, ham, mushrooms, onions, corn, peppers, and, most importantly, the special Raclette cheese, and grills it slowly. One usually eats potatoes with it along with pickled silverskin onions, garlic butter, mushrooms and salami. Grilled meat or scampi is also placed on top of the Raclette.
Other popular German Christmas table items (for 25 December) include:
Christmas in Japan:
While Christmas is not celebrated widely in Japan (as few Japanese are Christians) there are several customs which have come to Japan from the USA, including the giving of Christmas cards and presents.
Christmas is not a national holiday in Japan, so schools, shops and business are normally open on 25 December and the day is largely viewed as an opportunity to spread happiness rather than for religious reasons. That said, Christmas Eve is often celebrated more than Christmas Day, and there are some interesting items on the Christmas table.
Fried chicken is often eaten on Christmas Day, and, rather bizarrely, it is the busiest time of year for restaurants such as KFC where local people can place orders at their nearest fast food restaurant up to two months in advance for take away.
Christmas in Ireland:
In Ireland the main celebration is on 25 December with a big Christmas lunch. The evening of the 24th is usually spent preparing for the following day and going to Midnight Mass (unfortunately these days, it is rarely held at midnight). The food on Christmas day is very similar with traditional UK Christmas food and includes stuffing, roast potatoes, roasted root vegetables (carrot and parsnip), turkey and ham as well as Christmas pudding and brandy butter. The Irish also have a celebratory evening meal on St. Stephen’s Day (the 26th). Spiced beef is a traditional Irish dish which is eaten on that day.
Christmas in Chile:
Pan de Pascua is a traditional Christmas Chilean cake. It is similar to a sweet sponge cake and is flavoured with ginger and honey.
Christmas in France:
In France, the evening of the 24th is often spent eating nibbles, watching Christmas films and then opening Christmas presents at midnight. On the 25th there is often a big family dinner which can last up to eight hours. Five items which will definitely be on the table are:
Christmas in Argentina:
In Argentina, families get together to have a big dinner on Christmas Eve and they gather again the following day for another big lunch. As it is summertime, many people go to the countryside or to the beach.
Meat is a staple at the Christmas table in Argentina, as well as lots of wine, beer and, of course, Sangria.
Christmas in Guatemala:
Christmas in South Africa:
In South Africa it wouldn’t be uncommon to have a Braai (Afrikaans for “barbecue” or “grill”) on Christmas Day, South Africa-specific items might include:
Christmas in Nigeria:
There is normally a church service on Christmas Eve at around 8pm which turns into a party with fireworks until the early hours of Christmas Day. People get up early on the 25th and head back to church for another service in their new outfits (it’s traditional to go to the tailor and get a new outfit made for the event). Five dishes that are popular in Nigeria at Christmas include:
Christmas in England:
Christmas in Finland:
At Christmas time in Finland guests can enjoy a traditional display of Christmas food called Joulupöytä, which is similar to the Swedish smorgasbord. Dishes include:
Christmas in Hungary:
Christmas in Romania:
Christmas in New Zealand:
Christmas in Lithuania:
The traditional dishes are served on 24 December, and 12 dishes representing the 12 Apostles or 12 months of the year play the main role in Lithuanian Christmas tradition.
Christmas in Jamaica:
Christmas in Colombia:
Christmas in Iceland:
Christmas in Brazil:
Rabanada (French toast):
Christmas in the Philippines:
Christmas in Trinidad:
In Trinidad, Christmas is celebrated on 25 December with a huge meal usually consisting of:
Sorrel drink
Christmas in Serbia:
Christmas in Portugal:
Christmas in Mexico:
Christmas in Venezuela:
Christmas in Poland:
Christmas Eve is a big celebration, but the food is limited to the borscht and fish (with no meat). Then it’s midnight mass, followed by a feast. Carp provides a main component of the Christmas Eve meal across Poland, while some of the other most popular Polish Christmas dishes include:
Christmas in Canada:
Christmas in Denmark:
Christmas in Sweden:
Christmas in Norway:
Christmas in Spain:
Christmas dinner is served on the 24th while a lunch is also enjoyed on the 25th. While the Christmas menu varies depending on which region you live in, some of the most common Christmas food items include:
Christmas in Italy
In Italy, Christmas dishes once again vary by region, but here are a handful of regional festive dishes:
Christmas in the USA:
Have we missed your favourite Christmas dish? Please feel free to share it in the comments box below.
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