While the Irish Christmas schedule falls in line with ours , traditions and ways of celebrating differ .
Swimmers will traditionally dive in at Dublin ’ s Forty Foot swimming spot for a traditional Christmas morning swim .
Wren Day follows on Dec . 26 , when groups of wrenboys — men and boys who wear colorful clothing , masks , paint and straw — go from door to door singing , dancing and collecting donations . To stave up bad luck in the coming year , it ’ s best to lend them a few coins .
The end of the Christmas period comes on Jan . 6 , known as “ Women ’ s Christmas ,” where women of the household traditionally get a day of rest while men take on the household duties .
Portugal and Brazil
Brazilian and Portuguese families come together to eat a late dinner on Christmas Eve . Then , at midnight , gift exchanges , toasts and wishes of Merry Christmas begin .
Like others in Latin America , families head to church for Missa do Gallo , or Midnight Mass , where the birth of Jesus is celebrated through scripture , song and communion .
Missa do Gallo translates to Rooster ’ s Mass , a tribute to the rooster who welcomes the first light of Christmas Day .
Services are often followed by fireworks in the town square .
Austria
A nisse on a Christmas card from 1885 . Courtesy : National Library of Norway
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Ill-behaved children in Austria should beware an appearance from Krampus .
The opposite of jolly old Saint Nicholas , Krampus is a horned creature thought to be half-goat and half-demon , who punishes badly behaved children with birch rods after appearing during the Feast of St . Nicholas Dec . 6 .
Following the 1932 election for dictator of Austria , the Krampus tradition was prohibited . In the 1950s , the government distributed pamphlets proclaiming Krampus might damage children ’ s mental health . Towards the end of the century , Krampus celebrations returned .
The creature has also become wellknown in North American media , from comics to TV shows and film .
Ukraine
Up until a couple of years ago , Christmas in Ukraine was celebrated in January .
Now , Ukranians begin celebrations on Christmas Eve , Dec . 24 , marked by Sviata Vecheria , or Holy Dinner .
Twelve dishes are served , one for each apostle , with a main dish of kutia , a boiled wheat mixed with poppy seeds and honey .
A staple among house decorations is the didukh , a sheaf of wheat stalk that symbolizes ancestors ’ spirits , as it is believed ancestors return to spend time with their families during the holy days . Some leave the kutia out on the table as a treat for deceased relatives .
With the onoing war against Russia , many cities have opted out of festive activities or toned them down .
Mexico
All across the country , churches put on los pastores , traditional Mexican folk plays during advent season that recount the journey of the shephers to visit the newborn Jesus in Bethlehem .
The Mexican Christmas season begins in early December with Las Posadas , a festival from Dec . 16-24 that commemorates the journey Mary and Joseph made from Nazareth to Bethlehem .
A small child dressed as an angel leads the procession through town , visiting selected homes to ask for lodging and being refused . At each stop , bible passages are read and Christmas carols sung .
Mass is held each day after the procession , and children break open piñatas typically crafted in the form of a star to symbolized the one that guided the three wisemen .
El Salvador
Christmas is rung in Dec . 24 with firework displays across the sky .
Younger children celebrate with smaller firecrackers — volcancitos and estrellitas — while older ones prefer Roman candles .
A popular custom on Christmas Eve is El Estreno , which is wearing something new .
Salvadoran Catholics will attend mass before midnight , and hold an image of baby Jesus before opening presents to give thanks and pray for the new year .
São Paulo ’ s Christmas Tree and water fountains at Ibirapuera Park in Brazil .
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