In Germany a meal is eaten on Christmas Eve, which won't contain any meat and children will also open their main Christmas presents on 24 December. Meat can be eaten in a feast on Christmas Day.
What do Germans traditionally eat on Christmas Eve?
A German Christmas Eve
This culinary tradition continues today in many families, even if no church going is involved, with carp, salmon or hake often taking centre stage at the table, accompanied by fried potatoes or Kartoffelpuffer (potato fritters) and Sauerkraut.
The Christmas tree was traditionally brought into the house on Christmas Eve. In some parts of Germany, during the evening, the family would read the Bible and sing Christmas songs such as O Tannenbaum, Ihr Kinderlein Kommet and Stille Nacht (Slient Night).
The reason behind the use of fish, on the other hand, is simple: Christmas Eve is a vigilia di magro, in other words, a day of abstinence in which the Catholic Church prohibits the consumption of meat.
Why Germans Don't Eat Meat Anymore | Feli from Germany
Why can't Italians eat meat on Christmas Eve?
Many Italians don't eat meat on Christmas Eve and instead turn to fish. This practice has its roots in Catholicism, which prohibits the consumption of meat before religious holidays. A seafood meal is often eaten with family before heading to mass.
But why the tradition for fish on Christmas Eve across eastern Europe? Mr Stenzel explains that it is the Roman Catholic practice in the region, and that Christmas Eve dinner marks the big final meal of the pre-Christmas, or advent fast period, during which meat is forbidden.
Why is Christmas Eve more important than Christmas Day in Germany?
Unlike in the UK or the USA, where the Christmas holiday period begins on the 25th of December, in Germany, Christmas Eve on the 24th of December is considered the main day for Christmas celebrations. That's when the Christmas tree is put up and decorated and presents are opened.
In Germany, the main day of Christmas celebration is Christmas Eve, also known as “Heiligabend”. During the day, stores and most businesses are only open until noon or the early afternoon.
On Christmas Eve, many Dutch people have an intimate dinner with their immediate family members. It's not widely celebrated with large parties as in some other countries, but some people attend church services or enjoy time with loved ones.
Bring on the sword fish, tuna, salmon, octopus salad, smelts, calamari, spaghetti with clam sauce and the famous Italian classic—salted cod, known as baccalà. The Feast of the Seven Fishes can also include other meatless dishes, which vary by region.
India. Three of India's major religions — Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism — teach the practice of ahimsa, or non-violence towards all beings. Because of this religious tradition, India has the highest percentage of vegetarians out of all the countries in the world.
Glühwein is our Christmas Eve tradition, a wonderful way to wind down after a busy day to relax and refocus on the true holiday magic of being with family & friends.
The legend of the Krampus dates back centuries, originating as a German Christmas tradition during the 12th century. Beginning in early December, the children of Germany would begin to hear whispers of a dark haired creature bearing horns and fangs, carrying a bundle of birch sticks used to swat naughty children.
In Poland, Christmas Eve is a day first of fasting, then of feasting. The Wigilia feast begins at the appearance of the first star. There is no red meat served but fish, usually carp. The supper, which includes many traditional dishes and desserts can sometimes last for over two hours.
If Christmas Eve falls on a weekday, shops remain open until noon and tend to be packed as people rush to buy their last remaining presents or food for the festive meal. Then it's time to decorate the Christmas tree with fairy lights and baubles, to wrap the presents and prepare the meal.
Poland. The festive feasts enjoyed in Poland are renowned all over the world – and for good reason. On Christmas Eve, families sit down to a huge meal called wigilia, where 12 meat-free dishes are served to represent the 12 apostles.
Eating carp at Christmas is a widespread tradition in Central and Eastern Europe. For centuries, families have enjoyed this freshwater fish as the main course for their Christmas Eve dinner. The tradition of eating fish for Christmas Eve is particularly alive and well in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland.
For Christians, one of the most important Holy days is Christmas Eve, so for many Catholics, eating fish was expected, as they were abstaining from meat and all animal products. This tradition also has a lot of logic behind it when you think about where it originated.
Other sweet options include maritozzi, the famous Italian sweet bread often found in Rome, or biscotti to go with your coffee. A healthy Italian breakfast might consist of some bread, butter, jam, some yogurt, and fruit. Italians also eat muesli and cereal in the mornings with yogurt or milk.
When did Catholics start eating meat on Christmas Eve?
While it's true that in 1917 the Codex Iuris Canonici had actually prescribed abstinence from meat and fasting on the eve of the Pentecost, the Assumption, All Saints' Day and Christmas, the Costituzione Apostolica Paenitemini signed in February 1966 by Paul VI overwrote these indications and established that fasting ...
Since World War II, Japan has embraced the typically Western holiday and made it its own. There's Santa, trees, and presents, but on the Christmas lunch table is KFC.
Fish provides the main dish of the Christmas Eve feast across Poland. There are variations of carp fillet, carp in aspic, gefilte fish (Jewish-style carp), sweet with onions, carrots, almonds and raisins or fish in the Greek Style. Accompaniments consist of cabbage, cooked red or sauerkraut with apple salad.
The Christmas meal is either turkey, duck, roast beef or suckling pig with yellow rice & raisins and vegetables, followed by Christmas Pudding or a traditional South African dessert called Malva Pudding (sometimes also called Lekker Pudding) - get the recipe. People also like to pull Christmas Crackers!
