The Sophisticated Life
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Wine
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
The Sophisticated Life
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Food
  • Wine
  • Work With Me
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
The Sophisticated Life
No Result
View All Result
Home Blog

Unique Christmas Celebrations Around the World! (Part 1)

by Nadeen
December 16, 2015
A A
Unique Christmas Celebrations Around the World!

Christmas celebrations around the world has always been fascinating to me. These celebrations often vary by geography, ethnicity and cultures. If you follow my Facebook page you will notice I often post about different customs and traditions of all major holidays. Since Christmas is one of the biggest and special days of the year, I asked my blogger friends living all over the world to share with us their Christmas celebrations! Enjoy!

  1. Asia: Hong Kong & Vietnam:

My dear friend Lydia, who wrote about her hiking journey to Machu Piccu, moved to Hong Kong from the U.S. last year. She has had the good fortune to spend last year’s Christmas season in Hong Kong and Christmas Day in Vietnam. Here is what she had to say about Hong Kong:

7 Unique Christmas Celebrations Around the World!
Plaza in Hong Kong at Christmastime

Hong Kong looks like many other places around the world in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Commercialism is king on any other day, and never more so than at Christmas. Skyscrapers, shops and stores are festooned with lights and wrapping paper. There are “wintry” weather looks in this place which will likely not go below 60 degrees Fahrenheit in December. For many in Hong Kong, Christmas is quite secular and mostly about having a day off, the bling, the decorations and gifts. For me, it’s a much more personal celebration of Christ’s birth. Something that I look forward to around Christmastime anywhere is the advent worship leading up to Christmas. I especially enjoy the beautiful music, and Hong Kong is no exception! This Christmas we are looking forward to enjoying as much as we can of Christmas concerts. This includes singing with the Cecilian Singers, a community choir with a 53-year history. Given that Hong Kong was a British Colony before 1997, it’s no wonder that there is a strong British influence here and we have gotten to know a number of British expats in Hong Kong. I am told that at christmas celebrations I can look forward to some familiar things (turkey, potatoes, stuffing) as well as some more customary British Christmas traditions. There are many such as pigs in blankets, brussel sprouts, parsnip, custard, mince pies (which have no meat in them), various puddings (“pudding” is the British word for basically any dessert), Yorkshire pudding (which ironically is not sweet, is eaten with gravy and meat, and basically not a pudding!), and crackers (which are not for eating, but are little wrapped presents that make a small explosion when you pull them apart and contain a hat to wear and other toys)! As for me, I have ordered a sweet potato pie to bring a little American influence to Christmas dinner.

And how about Vietnam?

Unique Christmas Celebrations Around the World!
Lake Hoan Kiem in Hanoi at Christmastime

I had been to Vietnam over a decade before, have always wanted to go back and was thrilled to introduce it to my husband.  Vietnam is a communist country, so it’s not surprising that Christmas doesn’t make much of a splash. However, an estimated 6-8% (depending on your source) are Catholic. I’ll never forget being in the hotel room the evening of Christmas Eve when I heard bells chiming, and recognized the tune “I heard the bells on Christmas Day”. Otherwise, as a tourist, there were few other signs of Christmas celebrations. On Christmas Day we even saw workers already decorating for the Vietnamese New Year (same time as the Chinese New Year). We did enjoy our time th- the beauty, authenticity and simplicity of Vietnam. And, we did manage to find a beautiful restaurant, in the basement of the Hanoi Opera House, which was doing a special Christmas prix fixe tasting menu. Dinner included chestnut soup, turkey and cauliflower mash, truffled potatoes with caviar, and scallop with mango couscous. Quite a delicious way to celebrate Christmas, if you every find yourself in Hanoi on Christmas Day.

   2. Eastern Europe: Croatia:

Mate of “Chasing the Donkey” travel blog,  describes Christmas Celebrations in Croatia.

Christmas in Croatia is a great time of year. All the tourists are long gone and the country celebrates Advent in all the major cities of Croatia. The biggest celebration is Advent in Zagreb, Croatia’s capital. During this 6 week celebration the city is transformed into a winter wonderland and everyone embraces the Christmas spirit. Stages are erected in all major squares and parks in the city with the biggest in Ban Jelacic Square. You can enjoy daily musical and theatrical performances, including a live nativity scene. Christmas market stalls line the streets selling Christmas souvenirs and street food. Despite the cold weather, all the locals get out and about to soak up the Christmas atmosphere. It really is something special. Advent then culminates on Christmas eve where many Croatians attend midnight mass church services to celebrate the birth of Christ. Zagreb is a wonderful city which loves Christmas. This year it was nominated as one of the Best European Christmas destinations.
Unique Christmas Celebrations Around the World!

     3. Western Europe: Finland:

How would you like to visit Santa Claus in Finland? Marcela of “Fotostrasse” travel blog describes her experience doing so in the article “We Visited Santa’s Cottage in Espoo.”

Unique Christmas Celebrations Around the World!

I hope you have enjoyed Part 1 of Unique Christmas Celebrations Around the World! In Part 2, being published later this week, Christmas celebrations in Australia, the French Caribbean and NYC are discussed!

Join over 2k travel enthusiasts on The Sophisticated Life email list & get access to travel updates, exclusive content & offers!

+ Get the Pandemic Travel Checklist FREE

Thank you! Check your email for your checklists!

Tags: celebrationschristmasholidaysmerry christmassanta claus
Previous Post

Holiday Gift Guide for Wine Lovers!

Next Post

The Foodie’s Guide to Las Vegas!

Nadeen

Nadeen

Dr. Nadeen White is a "Blogger by Day, Physician by Night". She is an award-winning travel blogger, Amazon bestselling author and speaker. The Sophisticated Life Blog covers affordable luxury travel, culinary travel and wine. Her domestic and international travel guides gets people to the destinations of their dreams. So, if you are living the sophisticated life or desire to do so, this is the blog for you!

Related Posts

Christmastime at The Biltmore Estate!
Blog

Christmastime at The Biltmore Estate! (Including a tour of The Biltmore House)

September 22, 2019
Holiday Gift Guide for Wine Lovers! A Roundup of unique wine gifts!
Blog

Holiday Gift Guide for Wine Lovers!

July 12, 2016
Unique Christmas Celebrations Around the World!
Blog

10 Reasons to Love Christmas in New York!

September 22, 2019
Blog

Holiday TRAVEL Gift Guide!

August 4, 2016
Next Post
The Foodie's Guide to Las Vegas! A list of restaurants from comfort food to fine dining!

The Foodie's Guide to Las Vegas!

House of Mandela Wines, Tukwini Mandela, south africa wines

House of Mandela Wines: Q & A with Tukwini Mandela!

Comments 2

  1. Dominic Kappan says:
    4 years ago

    I appreciate your blog. I went on a holiday trip to Dubai during my last christmas. I celebrated christmas in Dubai City Church .The Christmas celebrations in Dubai City Church were really awesome. I enjoyed a lot.I have not been to any of the above mentioned places. I will definitely plan a trip to Vietnam during my next christmas.

    • Nadeen says:
      4 years ago

      That sounds like a great trip! Thanks for reading.

No Result
View All Result
Subscribe for updates!

Subscribe for updates!

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Best-selling Travel Ebooks Available for Download

Travel Guides to Your Favorite Destinations

USA Wine Guide for Travelers

Culinary Travel Guides: Food & Wine

Recent Posts

Wine

Sonoma County Wineries & Restaurants.

by Nadeen
December 13, 2021
Wine

2021 Wine & Spirits Holiday Gift Guide Featuring Black-Owned Businesses!

by Nadeen
November 27, 2021
  • Welcome to Chicago! The Chi. Chi-town? What comes to mind when you think of Chicago? 
This may be my shortest reel yet but it captures a lot of my quick trip to Chicago over the Holiday weekend! 

1) an amazing stay at the new luxury hotel 🏨 downtown @thelasallechicago part of the @marriotthotels Autograph collection
2) The architecture cruise 🚢 on the Chicago river. It’s such a great way to learn the history of Chicago! 
3) a visit to Millennium Park to grab new pics by Cloud Gate AKA “the bean” 
4) Pictures by “The 🦩Flamingo” the red sculpture 
5) Dinner in Hyde Park at the Black-Owned restaurant @virtuerestaurantchi congrats to @cheferickwilliams for his James Beard award for best chef Great Lakes!
6) Dinner @hugosfrogbar with the insane macadamia turtle ice cream cake! 

I didn’t get any deep dish pizza 🍕 this time but my husbands favorite @parrishu70 (he’s from Chicago) is @giordanospizza and I still need to get to the top of the @willistowerchicago 

Have you been to Chicago? If so what are your favorite things to do there?

#chicagotravel #downtownchicago #visitchicago #chicagoeats #chicagorestaurants #milleniumpark #cloudgate #chicagobloggers #luxurylifestyle #blacktravelfeed #blackwomentravel #blacktravelgram #traveltuesdays
  • 🤣🤣. Just a reminder to still #maskup 😷and use your hand sanitizer and don’t travel if you are sick!

I have been traveling/flying about twice a month and I’m still surprised how many people are not wearing masks. People, kids, children, babies are still getting COVID-19 and being hospitalized for it. 

Get vaccinated, get your boosters. There is no guarantee that new strains won’t pop up. 

I am cautiously optimistic and I’m looking forward to finally doing more international travel but I plan to still take precautions. 

But can we talk about how funny and cool 😎 this @usher meme and performance is?!! Has anyone seen his Vegas show? Decades later and he is still an excellent performer! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

#instagrammemes #usherraymond #covid19memes #blackdoctorsmatter #blackdoctorswhitecoats
  • Happy 4th of July 🇺🇸🇺🇸weekend from CHICAGO!!
Did you really go to Chicago if you didn’t get a picture of “the bean” Actually called Cloud Gate. 
But on a Holiday weekend why was I still shocked 😳 to see lines to enter Millennium Park?!! 
A lot of content creators get up at sunrise 🌄 to get pictures without crowds and get those “Instagram vs Reality” shots. I don’t have that lol I only have the REALITY shots because I am a night owl and nocturnist and I can never get up early! 
Thank goodness the line went fast and I got my pics in 20 minutes although with lots of people in them. 

I have been here several times before but when I come to Chicago I ❤️ seeing it and capturing new pics. It’s like going to Paris. I always have to go by the Eiffel Tower. Like duhhhhh

#cloudgate #cloudgatechicago #milleniumpark #4thofjulyweekend🇺🇸💥🇺🇸 #4thofjuly2022 #happy4thofjuly🇺🇸 #blacktravelmovement #blacktravelfeed #travelnoire
  • ***MIAMI Save for your next trip to Miami Design District! 
We had the most delicious Mexican food @tacombi 
A lot of the restaurants in this area were pricy and had long lines but Tacombi is a casual Mexican eatery with Art Deco decor and savory authentic eats! 
Try the 
 🍉 margarita 😋😋
 🥑 chips & guacamole 
🌮 Baja crispy fish
🌮 Chicken tacos 
🌮sweet potatoes 🍠 and black bean 🫘-so unique!
🌽 corn esquites 

Thanks to @key2mia and @blacktravelsummit for picking such a delicious restaurant for the tour! 

#miamidesigndistrict #mexicanfoodporn #miamirestaurants #mexicaneats #foodbloggerslife #luxurytravels #culinarytravel #blacktravelfeed #travelnoire #hardlyhome
  • It’s still June 30th in Chicago and I couldn’t let the month end without saying #happypridemonth🌈 
To all my LGTBQIA friends and followers #loveislove🏳️‍🌈
We all should have the right to be who we are, love and marry who we want. 
Equal rights for everyone. 💞 

#happypride🌈 #pridemonth2022 #happypridemonth🏳️‍🌈 #gaymarriage #equalrightsforall
  • 📸📸📸 @iamslepton did his thing during the @key2mia tour during @blacktravelsummit 
How often do you use a professional photographer when you travel? I don’t do it often enough!
My husband and I did a professional photo shoot for our second anniversary in Paris and the pictures were beautiful. Since then we have been taking our own or rather mostly I have been taking selfies lol 
But there are so many options now. We used @flytographer but @airbnbexperiences also has options. The pics are so much nicer. 
I ❤️ these! They were taken in the Miami Design District which is a great backdrop! 

#photoshoot #miamidesigndistrict #luxuryphotography #luxuryphoto #fashionphotographers #luxurytraveler #luxurylifestyles

Black-Owned Businesses

black-owned businesses in asheville north carolina, hood huggers tours, black-owned business in asheville, asheville north carolina, black-owned restaurants in Asheville, downtown Asheville,

Black-Owned Businesses in Asheville, North Carolina.

September 22, 2021
black-owned rosé wine brands to sip on this summer, rosé wines, black-owned wines, rosé wines, summer wines, black-owned wines, black-owned wineries, mcbride wines, black girl magic wines, brown estate wines,

Black-Owned Rosé Wine Brands to Sip on this Summer.

April 27, 2022
atlanta black-owned restaurants, black-owned restaurants in atlanta, atlanta restaurants, brunch in atlanta, atlanta restaurants

45+ Black-Owned Restaurants in Atlanta You Should Support!

May 15, 2022
black-owned wineries, black-owned businesses, black-owned wines, black winemakers, black wines, black owned wines, black owned wineries, black podcasts, wine, wineries, winemakers. wine regions, napa valley, wine tasting

50+ Black-Owned Wineries & Businesses You Should Follow & Support.

March 15, 2022

Explore the U.S.A

photo by Adam chandler courtesy of charleston wine and food festival

2022 Charleston Wine + Food Festival-Recap!

March 31, 2022
sonoma county wineries and restaurants, sonoma, california wine region, sonoma wines, wine tasting

Sonoma County Wineries & Restaurants.

December 13, 2021
things to do in malibu california, malibu restaurants, wine tasting in malibu, malibu beaches, shopping in malibu

Things to do in Malibu California this Weekend.

March 21, 2022
asheville travel guide, things to do in asheville north carolina, places to stay in asheville, where to eat in asheville north carolina

The Ultimate Guide of Things To Do in Asheville, North Carolina!

September 22, 2021
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Myrtle Beach Restaurant Guide for Foodies!

The Best Myrtle Beach Restaurants: A Guide for Foodies!

August 6, 2020
15 fun facts about quebec city canada, travel to canada, canadian

15 Fun Quebec City Facts

August 7, 2018
Diner en Blanc Guide for First-Timers! Everything you need to know to attend this magical event! Includes information on purchasing tickets, preparing for the event, costs and what to expect at Diner en Blanc!

Diner en Blanc Guide for First-Timers!

September 19, 2019
Dubai Trip

Dubai Travel Guide for First Time Visitors!

April 2, 2020
Dubai Trip

Dubai Travel Guide for First Time Visitors!

How I spent 5 Days in Dubai and Abu Dhabi! A Desert Safari, Camel rides, Burj Khalifa, High Tea at Burj Al Arab, Shopping in Souks, Visiting the Grand Mosque and so much more!!

How I Spent 5 Days in Dubai and Abu Dhabi!

Visit Jamaica: Land I Love!

Cruising the Mediterranean Sea on Norwegian Epic!

black owned brunch spots in atlanta, black owned restaurants in atlanta, brunch in atlanta

Black-Owned Brunch Spots in Atlanta

April 27, 2022
photo by Adam chandler courtesy of charleston wine and food festival

2022 Charleston Wine + Food Festival-Recap!

March 31, 2022
sonoma county wineries and restaurants, sonoma, california wine region, sonoma wines, wine tasting

Sonoma County Wineries & Restaurants.

December 13, 2021
black-owned businesses, gift guide, holiday gift guide, wine gifts, wine apparel, wine books, wine and spirits, 2021 wine and spirits holiday gift guide featuring back-owned businesses

2021 Wine & Spirits Holiday Gift Guide Featuring Black-Owned Businesses!

November 27, 2021
The Sophisticated Life

  • About
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2021 The Sophisticated Life

The Sophisticated Life

  • About
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
Menu
  • About
  • Travel
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy

© 2020 The Sophisticated Life

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
  • Travel
  • Wine
  • Food
  • Contact
  • Work With Me
  • Privacy Policy

© 2020 The Sophisticated Life