Christmas customs in Canada

Christmas customs in Canada 

Christmas celebration is actually part of the religious celebrations held in all Christian countries to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. However, from the perspective of Canadians, this celebration is not only seen as a religious event for Christians, but also as a secular celebration and the start of winter holidays and the New Year. 

In Canada, no religion is officially recognized as the state religion. Nevertheless, more than half of the population identifies themselves as Christians. However, it is not necessary to be Christian in this country to celebrate Christmas. Freedom of belief is one of the fundamental principles of Canadian political culture. For this reason, religious celebrations such as Easter and Christmas are celebrated throughout Canada. 

Familiarity with Christmas Traditions in Canada 

Christmas is one of the most important religious and cultural celebrations in Canada, attracting many tourists every year on December 25th (equivalent to the 4th of Dey in the Persian calendar). On this day, people in Canada gather with their families and friends to celebrate together and take the opportunity to express love and affection towards others. 

Christmas traditions and customs in Canada are highly diverse, especially among religious and non-religious individuals. Below are some of the common customs and traditions observed in Canada for celebrating Christmas: 

Decorating the Christmas Tree: One of the common customs in Canada for celebrating Christmas is decorating the Christmas tree. On this day, many families adorn their Christmas trees with decorations such as paper flowers, colorful candles, snowmen, and beautiful glass stars. 

Attending Church Ceremonies: Many Canadians attend church ceremonies as part of the Christmas celebration. In these ceremonies, people listen to portrayals of the life of Jesus Christ and religious hymns. 

Gift Exchange: During Christmas, many families and friends exchange gifts. These gifts can include items such as clothing, cosmetics, books, games, sweets, and more. 

Cooking Christmas Foods: On Christmas, special foods such as cranberry sauce, turkey, chicken pies, and hot oatmeal soup are served. Additionally, families often go to restaurants together and enjoy special Christmas dishes. 

Visiting Christmas Light Displays: In major cities in Canada, beautiful and captivating Christmas light displays are installed for the Christmas celebration. Every year, millions of people from across the country visit cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Quebec, and Montreal to see these light displays. 

These customs and traditions are just some of the practices that are common during Christmas in Canada. It's important to note that Christmas customs and traditions in Canada can vary greatly depending on the region and specific culture in which you live. In the following, we will try to explore each of the Christmas customs in Canada in more detail. 

Christmas Gift 

One of the customs practiced in Canada during Christmas is requesting gifts from Santa Claus. But who is Santa Claus? Santa Claus is an elderly, round, and kind man who wears a red suit and hat. Every year, he brings gifts for children during the Christmas celebration. Santa Claus's postal code, located somewhere in Canada, is HOH OHO. Children leave a glass of milk and some cookies next to the fireplace to receive gifts from Santa Claus. This is one of the ways children say "Merry Christmas" to Santa Claus. 

Another tradition carried out during Christmas is buying gifts for loved ones. As you know, Canadians are known for spending money during the holidays. In 2019, they spent around $792 on Christmas gifts, which accounted for about one-third of the budget each Canadian spends on Christmas. They buy gifts for themselves and for others. 

But what kinds of gifts do they receive for their friends and loved ones? The first thing they choose for receiving gifts is food, alcohol, and sweets. In the second category are clothes and toys. It is predicted that this year the highest amount of spending will be on health products, books, music, electronics, and sports equipment, as the COVID-19 pandemic has changed people's shopping habits. Most purchases are now made online, and people plan their shopping earlier than usual. They also try to support small and local stores to help them during these difficult times with low sales. 

Christmas Tree Cutting 

Another tradition in Canada during Christmas is cutting down Christmas trees. Many cities in Canada have prohibited this activity, but in many places, it is still possible to cut down a tree for a cost of around $7 to $8. Many people prefer using artificial trees. There is a lot of debate about which type of tree, natural or artificial, is more environmentally friendly. Artificial trees have the advantage of being reusable and having a longer lifespan, while natural trees are considered more environmentally friendly in terms of greenhouse gas production. 

New Year Lights 

And finally, another tradition related to Christmas in Canada is Christmas lights. It is carried out in various parts of Canadian cities. Many parks have designated areas for decorations and stalls selling hot chocolate and marshmallows. Even the COVID-19 pandemic has not caused this tradition to be forgotten. Every year, a train called the "Holiday Train" decorated with lights and decorations travels through the Canadian railway station. It moves throughout Canada, and people eagerly await its arrival. It hosts joyful charity concerts. However, this year, the celebration of this train will take place online. But we all hope that with the disappearance of this pandemic, we can see the train in person again next year.