Christmas Around the World: Traditions, Cookies, Games & More

Christmas is celebrated in different ways around the world, but some things remain common: it’s a joyous time to gather with loved ones and get into the spirit of giving.

What better way to learn about Christmas traditions around the world than with a Christmas around the world party?

Celebrate this holiday international style with songs, food (like delicious cookies!), ornament crafts, games, and more!

via (clockwise from top right) Carla Schauer | All the Party Ideas | Just Crafty Enough | Pretty Simple Sweet | Gathering Beauty

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How to Plan a Christmas Around the World Party

The basic steps to putting together a Christmas party that brings together festivities from around the globe:

1. Learn about how Christmas is celebrated in other places
2. Invite guests
3. Cook up an international holiday menu
4. Put together festive decorations, crafts, and games
5. End the party with a bang

We’ve got a ton of great ideas to help you with each step along the way.

Christmas Around the World Traditions

The first thing you’ll need to do is research on how Christmas is celebrated in other parts of the world, whether it’s singing carols on the beach in Australia or burning a yule log in France, or decorating oil palms with bells in Libya or pines with spiders in Ukraine.

Here are two great resources that even kids can use to learn about Christmas traditions around the world.

First, we have Christmas around the world worksheets that talks about Christmas traditions in:

(via ISL Collective)

• Japan
• China
• Russia
• Great Britain
• France
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Mexico

(via Confessions of a Homeschooler)

Christmas Around the World Invitations

Next, you’ll need to send out invites to your party. You could go with a globe decked out in Christmas colors, ornaments of international flags, or something as simple as different ways to say “Merry Christmas” as the background of your invitation.

Christmas Around the World Food

You’ll also need to plan the party menu. Here are some ideas for Christmas around the world cookies and other recipes. You could organize a potluck with guests contributing an international dish as well.

Finnish Porkkanalaatiko Casserole

For an appetizer, try this traditional custard-like casserole with carrots and rice. (via Alternative Finland)

Japanese Sponge Cake

Here’s a light, easy Christmas dessert topped with fresh strawberries (via Cooking with Dog)

South African Malva Pudding

This version of an already rich, moist dessert is made more decadent with chocolate. (via African Bites)

Colombian Natilla Custard

Here’s a coconut delight with a dash of cinnamon is a refreshing holiday treat in South America. (via My Colombian Recipes)

Argentinian Alfajores Cookies

This popular South American sandwich cookie has caramel filling and is rolled in coconut. (via Pretty Simple Sweet)

Greek Melomakarona Cookies

An ooey, honeyed Christmas cookie is a cross between baklava and pecan pie would also be a crowd pleaser. (via Scrummy Lane)

Polish Kolaczki Cookies

This traditional Christmas dessert made with cream cheese and fruity filling is popular in a number of European countries like Austria, Denmark, and the Czech Republic. (via Polish Housewife)

Mexican Hot Chocolate

And for a holiday drink, try this kid-friendly drink made from wholesome ingredients (not the packet stuff!) with a hint of chili for some added kick. (via Isabel Eats)

Christmas Around the World Songs

Next up, setting the mood of your party. These catchy carols would make great background music.

Petit Papa Noël

This French “Little Santa Claus” Christmas lullaby is very familiar to children in France. (via The Best Christmas Songs)

Betelehemu

This version of a Nigerian Christmas carol is sang by an African glee club. (via Africana Digital Ethnography Project)

El Burrito de Belén

Or “El Burrito Sabanero” is “The Little Donkey from Bethlehem (or Savannah)” is a very popular Latin American Christmas song originating from Venezuela. (via Canticuentos)

Numbah One Day of Christmas

The Hawaiian version of “12 Days of Christmas” includes island favorites like pigs, lei, and coconuts. (via NorthPoleChristmas)

Jingle Bells

Listen to this medley of “Jingle Bells” in 20 different languages, from Portuguese to Korean to Hungarian. (via DunkanYare)

Christmas Around the World Ornament Crafts

For decorations that can also double up as a hands-on activity to occupy kids and adults alike would be these homemade Christmas around the world ornaments.

Create stations to make these Christmas around the world crafts that you can display on a tree to add to your party decor and/or have guests take home as keepsakes.

Japanese Origami Swan Ornament

Origami is a traditional paper folding art from Japan. At Christmastime, the most popular type of ornament to put on a tree is a swan. (via Just Crafty Enough)

Filipino Parol Ornament

Parols are colorful paper lanterns that symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. (via Jahric Lago)

German Star Ornament

This fancy design is made from simple colored or patterned strips of paper. (via Carla Schauer)

Danish Heart Ornament

Create a little heart pocket that you can stick goodies in, like nuts or or small Christmas cookies. (via Mama in the Now)

Australian Seashell Ornament

Decorate seashells to get the coastal vibe of a beachy, summer Christmas like they do Down Under. (via Mod Podge Rocks)

Mexican Poinsettia Ornament

The popular holiday poinsettia plant is native to Mexico, Make an ornament that showcases its beauty. (via First Palette)

Christmas Around the World Party Games

Fun Christmas printable games are an easy activity for folks to learn about how Christmas is celebrated in other parts of the world.

Christmas Around the World Jeopardy

We created different Christmas jeopardy game printables, including this international version with the following topics:

• Santa by another name
• O Christmas tree
• Interesting traditions
• Holiday Guinness records
• Other December festivities

For personal use only. Watermark will not appear on the downloadable version. Do not share or link to direct file; please spread the word by sharing this blog post. Thank you!

Merry Christmas in Different Languages

Another simple Christmas party activity is this matching game printable, with 15 different ways to say “Merry Christmas” that you’ll need to identify the language they are in.

This fun printable is part of our huge Christmas party game printables bundle that you can currently get at over 40% off from our Pen + Paper Made online shop.

Christmas Around the World Party Favors

Finish the party with an easy Christmas favor inspired by British culture.

English Christmas Crackers

Use the free printable template on patterned paper and follow the instructions for how to make this party popper that you can add treats to and pass out as favors at your around-the-world Christmas party.

You can include edible treats like easy Christmas cookies, or non-food items like Christmas stamps, stickers, and other small knick knacks. (via Gathering Beauty)

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