 Hey, welcome back to my YouTube channel guys. Today I have Chantel from Growing Up Without Borders with me today, as you all know. If you haven't seen other videos that we've done, I will link them above and you will want to check out our playlist. You can link them above. Oh, I guess you can. Yeah, you can. Link them above. And so, yeah, so today we are going to talk about Christmas around the world. What is Christmas like in different countries? So if you don't know, Chantel has a family of five that have traveled to a hundred or more countries and they have spent lots of Christmases around the world. Now I have not. I've been in New Zealand for six years so I can speak to the New Zealand Christmas and the US Christmas and I think I've been in Mexico for Christmas. So I can touch on that a little bit, but yeah, so we're just going to talk about what is Christmas like around the world, different foods, different traditions, things that we thought were, oh, that's interesting to do at Christmas, so you're not going to want to miss us. So stay tuned. Here we go. Okay, so let's get started. I'm going to start with a little bit of the differences between New Zealand Christmas and the US Christmas. So there is, I would say it's almost, I feel like it's completely different. I think partly it's because I'm from the Midwest so I'm used to a cold Christmas, whereas New Zealand is, they're hitting their summer and so you have Christmas on the beach, barbecue on the beach. This is normal foods. They do have like family roasts as well, which would be, they generally will have turkey, whereas the US will have ham, because we've had turkey at Thanksgiving. And so that's a little bit different, but in general, like, it just... Do you think also because like it's, you got to understand we're on a different, like, summer versus winter. So they have their Christmas, I mean, their summer holiday, which is like the school holidays. So not only are they in the Christmas kind of spirit, but they're also on their summer break. Yeah. So it's totally different, whereas like the school year ends, you know, everybody takes off, lots of businesses close down. And so, yeah, it's kind of the... It'd be like, imagine in the summertime having Christmas. You're like launching into, yeah, Christmas launches you into the summer break. And so, yeah, it's totally different. I think that switches things because everyone's on vacation. This is what I'm like, cottage mode. For a long time, you know, not just your two weeks off at Christmas. So yeah, that's a really good point. That's why you see barbecues and beaches and it's more of like this beach theme versus not necessarily beach theme. But yeah, summer holiday theme, Christmas. Yeah. So it's different in that way. Some of the different foods that they have, and I know I think I've mentioned it in a recent video, is their Christmas mince pies, which is just minced up fruit, by the way, not meat. What is it called? Christmas mince pies. You've not had that. They're like all over the food store. Oh, I didn't know what they're called. I've seen them. You've seen them. Okay. Don't eat them in the store. Just get them homemade. They're amazing homemade. Oh, I've never... I'm going to have to get you one. And they have fruit cakes everywhere here. So somebody's eating them. I mean, I've talked to a lot of my followers on TikTok and they were like, we don't need that. I'm like, well, someone is because it's everywhere. You know, like Christmas, I think it's Christmas pudding. I've actually, I think I had it in a restaurant, but I haven't really had it. Like, I know sometimes you can light it on fire. Have you ever seen that? No, like it's Christmas pudding. I would love to have that. If you guys make Christmas pudding, comment below. Send me a recipe. Give me some because I really want to try that this year. I was going to, I was going to say, I'm trying to think, I'm just looking something up because I spent Christmas in Spain one year and it was quite different because they had this cake and I feel like it's like the king's cake because they don't really celebrate Christmas at Christmas like we do. So their Christmas is in January on the 6th and it's Kings Day and they do like these parades and it's really strange because they'll have like people that are totally made up with like black makeup and the parades and they do like a whole thing. And this is in Spain. Yeah. And then the presents come on the 6th of January. So it's on Kings Day, not on like Christmas Day. Right. So that was that is different. Yeah, it's very different. So yeah, because even in New Zealand, it can't like the cake is like a cake and then is it good? Yeah, but it's just different. Like there's something in it. I can't remember if it's like a ring or what you get and then that brings you luck or I don't even remember. So if you're from Spain, like comment down below what it meant. I was just like, oh, it's just like, yeah, it's totally different. Yeah. So I think that, yeah, the yeah, it's totally different. Yeah, they have like Christmas crackers here, which are like these things that explode. I don't know. I don't really know when people open them. I think that they open them around the table, but because I always see them at each place setting and pictures. But and is that from the UK? I think it's from the UK. Yeah. Yeah. So yeah, they have different, yeah, different things here, but it is a kickoff to summer. And so it's just a totally different feel. It feels great when you're from a cold destination to then come to a warm destination. It feels great for Christmas. But, you know, now that I've been here and I've been, you know, not able to go home, I really would love a cold Christmas. I think the biggest difference though is you could have, you can have your Christmas in a warm climate, but because it's not fully commercialized, it probably doesn't feel like home. No. And also it's because we're in the summer, it doesn't get dark till 10 and so your Christmas lights and your Christmas tree, you know, you don't even see them because it's still light out. So that's it's not that cozy feeling that you get. People don't decorate the homes like they do. No. And why would you? Yeah. Because it's you can't even see the lights until like 10 o'clock at night. So yeah, so it's definitely not the same. No. It's not overly commercialized in New Zealand either. But it's good. I mean, everybody's I think celebrates it. It's definitely a holiday that's celebrated, but it's not the same. And then sometimes, you know, everybody has their own traditions. I've heard of a lot of different traditions. I've been to a lot of people's traditions and yeah, it's really cool here in New Zealand, but it's also nice. Like our family has been able to create our own traditions because we don't really have family here. And so that's been nice. I think Christmas is like whatever you grew up doing when you're young, you kind of keep on those traditions and then you try and replicate that wherever you are. Yeah, because what you experience when you're younger is the Christmas you prefer. Probably. That's generally the case. Yeah, because that's what you that's where all the fond memories are. So. So what about your kids and if they're growing up with a memory of the US and then they're celebrating it here? That's a really good question because two of mine are older, right? And then younger ones. So like my youngest has very little Christmases in the US, but right now my kids all want to go to the US and have a cold Christmas. Yeah, with the snow, they do and we would have if we could, but we're a little bit trapped. It's all good. It's all good. I'm thankful to be here. But yeah, it's it would be nice to go home for Christmas. Yeah, so let's talk about Christmas in Europe because in Europe and this is very different than the US and very different than New Zealand is all the Christmas markets that are everywhere. I know I've heard about Christmas markets and I've never been and I'm dying. Tell me about it. So you buy your Christmas presents there. Yeah, you can. So they always have these kind of like these little Christmassy hats that are usually made out of wood and they're all decorated and it's all pretty. And of course, in most of the places, I mean, you could be there in Spain. They might have it, but the good ones, like whether it's Zagran, Croatia or, you know, Strasbourg and France, it's cold. And then they do these amazing light shows. So like the light shows, light shows. You wouldn't believe they do like whole buildings. They come to life. You've never seen anything like it. It is like the most spectacular thing. Is it only like one night of the year that this happens? It starts in November. It goes all the way to the 24th every day. Every day. There's something. I thought it was like one day or a weekend. No, no, no, they set up camp for like a month and a half, usually a good like, yeah, a long time. There's always like this warm Christmas wine that's like a warm wine with like spices. Yeah, the Mold wine. Yeah, I love wine. And you go around and you visit and there's music and food stands and like what? Oh, you you haven't experienced a proper Christmas unless you've been to the Christmas markets in Europe. I swear it's amazing. Oh, my gosh, I want to do that so much better. Are they happening happening because of COVID? Well, Austria canceled them. Germany believe it canceled. Switzerland still has the Montreux Noël, which is a big one in Zurich just launched another one. So Switzerland is still open. But yeah, a lot of them in Europe have canceled. But then even so, yeah, I mean. Our hearts go out to the Europeans. You're going to try it. Have it a new way this year. Well, they've been going on for thousands of years. So yeah, next year, next year, next year. So I'll get good at it too. But yeah, so for me, like that's amazing. The food is just phenomenal because you get food. So like is there a typical food that you eat at Christmas in Europe? It depends on the country, right? You do have like, well, yeah, it depends on the country. But if you're in the German speaking area, you'll have like these pretzel things and you get like more, you know, just everything. Yeah, just everything. It's just amazing. You guys have to come experience it. Is there like a dessert that they always make? Well, there's all the Christmas cookies and they're very different. And so what are the Christmas cookies? Because I've had some conversations with people. Okay, I'm giving you a picture. Here it is. I'm gonna put it up. They're usually like, some of them are harder, like more dense. Okay. Oh my gosh, and they're so good. We need to make some. Are they soft? No, no. They're hard and dense. I'm sorry, that doesn't sound good. Oh, they're like the best. Like they are so good. Some are soft. We'd have to have it with something hot better. No, not necessarily. Really? Yeah. Come on, girl. Are you kidding me? I'm a soft cookie person. No, you're gonna be missing them. I'm gonna Google. Okay, they're Swiss Christmas cookies, to be honest, are some of the best in the Germany ones. Really? Yes. Oh my gosh. And then there's like chocolate stands. Like they could go all out. There's a chocolate stand where they just have chocolate. And sometimes they'll let you sample a little bit. And it's just amazing. It's just so good. Do they have any weird like Christmas tree things like in the U.S. or just like find the pickle? Okay, let me tell you one weird thing. And this is really weird. I've never personally experienced it myself. Thank God, because I think it'd be traumatizing. There's this place in Switzerland called Lutzern. And they have this like St. Nick kind of celebration and they walk out on the street and they have a parade and then all the lights go out and they're wearing these white things. So to me, it looks like the KKK. I mean, this is like weird. Oh my gosh. And it's not. And then they have cowbells and whips. And the thing is that all the lights go off and everybody's in and they try not to get whipped. It's like the weirdest thing. I have no idea what it is. We're gonna have to search it. If you're from Switzerland, you're watching please enlighten us because this makes no sense at all. And it's like this only this one area. What? With lips and cowbells. Wow, there's a new Christmas tradition. Okay, so like every area is very different. There's gotta be reason behind that. That's so interesting. It's St. Nick, so I'm gonna do a St. Nick. You know, like maybe he went around and the ones that were whipped were the bad ones. I have no idea. I'm just looking this up. I do not know. So good. It's so weird. Okay, and then let's see where else we're gonna go. Yeah, okay, so we're in Europe. Do we have anything to say? Yeah. Okay, so have you been to Latin America or South America? Yeah, okay, so let's see. Well, I was in Central America for one Christmas and this is really interesting too because they do go all out in a sense. They have percussions and a bit of a parade and they do the Christmas tree lighting by the church and we were in a small community and it was pretty loud music. They're pumping music out of speakers so loud that you're like too loud for your ears. But that's the way they like it and yeah, dancing and it was really cool. Did they have cool outfits? Was it like cool clothes? No, not really. I mean, I'm sure in some areas they might. But again, it was so different. Like our Christmas there is consistent of going to the beach surfing and then going out for dinner. It wasn't really like traditional Christmas but they could have. Right, so it's warm. Yeah, yeah. And of course like it's not as, I don't think any country is as commercialized as maybe the US. I guess Europe's kind of catching up. And surprisingly enough, like we did a Christmas in the Middle East and that was a surprise for me because I'm a bit naive and silly to think but I just didn't know that they celebrated Christmas. Like, I wouldn't think that they celebrated Christmas. But it's a big celebration. They have like Christmas trees and Santa at the shopping mall and I was like, oh, this is really cool. Oh, really? Yeah. So you can go visit Santa for the little kids and it was like very much. We are in the Middle East for you. Well, we were in Dubai and then we did a cruise throughout. So we kind of experienced what it was like. Yeah, and I guess it's like, we were in a shopping mall so maybe it was like commercialized in a sense and there's a lot of international people. So that could be why. So I don't know. Oh, that could be their catering to the audience. Yeah, and that's what's hard. It's like traveling and experiencing Christmas is different than living somewhere. We know that. So this is just our experience. Yeah, but I was still surprised to see it commercialized like it was, everything decked out for Christmas. Oh, wow. That's interesting. So what was it like on a cruise ship? Whoa. I'm just assuming an enormous amount of food. Oh, yeah. So they did a midnight buffet, which is really cool. So I grew up to the heck once I eat at midnight. On a cruise man, that's on YouTube, right? Before you go to bed, you always go have dinner. It's true, that's why you pack on the way. But yeah, they had like every kind of cake and it just went on and on and on. Like it's just beautiful decorations. And this one cake was so pretty. It said happy birthday, Jesus. And I was like, what? Like it was just like all decked out and all beautiful and just went on and on and on. Did they have like seafood? Like they have every type of food. Everything. Like I could get a taco bar on there as well. Probably. Everything. Sounds good. Yeah, Mexican all the time. Oh my gosh. But you know what's interesting is like, so in your culture, did you guys, because like if you're Catholic, there's like the midnight mass, right? The midnight mass, yes. Yes, yes. No, my grandmother and we were always at my grandmother's for Christmas. So yeah, midnight mass. It was normally 11, they were a little nice to us. And did you eat afterwards too? No. Oh, okay. I did. So you ate before and then you went to midnight mass? We, on Christmas, oh, we actually mostly, was this on Christmas Eve? Because we- It would have been Eve. It would have been Christmas Eve, yeah. So we always did our Christmases on Christmas Eve. And so then, yeah, some of us, some people would go to mass with grandma. And when do presents get opened? So Christmas, so they're open on Christmas Eve and then mass and then Santa's presents the next morning to the kids. Oh, okay. Yeah, okay. That's what happens. Yeah, that's kind of sort of how I grew up as well. So it's great. It's like you said, it's always what you, we're used to growing up and that's kind of what, and is that what you do now? Do you do Christmas presents? We do, we've continued the Christmas Eve tradition. And- Interesting, because a lot of Americans open the presents on Christmas day. On Christmas day, yeah, we're not the normal. Yeah, our family, yeah, so that's not normal. But we do Christmas stockings in the morning on Christmas. Yeah, we do the same thing. Do you really? Yes. Okay guys, we have just discovered that we are so similar. That's hilarious. In so many ways. And I was saying like Christmas for me, like a typical Christmas, because I mean grew up with like, you know, kind of American Canadian parents. They were like French Canadian and Swiss. But we do like fondue at Christmas and stuff. And she was like, I would love a fondue at Christmas. That's my dream meal. It was so funny. If I were to pick a restaurant that I would wanna go to at any point would be fondue. Cheese fondue, follow my chocolate fondue every time. Skip the meat, I don't care. Just give me the cheese and the chocolate. Yes, that sounds good. Oh my gosh, girl. Is there one fondue in New Zealand? That's the question. I haven't found a real fondue. I'm sure there is, I just don't know. It always takes a while to figure it out. We need someone from Switzerland to open up a Swiss fondue place. Yes, please. I'm thanking you. And if not when we retire here, that's what I'll do. Yes. Queenie, you've heard it here first, ladies and gentlemen. Woo! Okay, well, that's cool. That was a good summary of Christmas around the world. Yeah, I'm trying to think if there's like, there's another place elsewhere. Well, okay, well, Florida is easy because for me it was all so beautiful. And Christmas carolers, did you grow up Christmas caroling? Yeah, yeah, always Christmas caroling. We would go, we would have them. It was great. And you go singing door to door. So like what you see in the movies actually happens. Yeah, actually happens. In Canada, we used to go on a little horse drawn little buggy thing and we would all get off and then we would go sing and then go to the next house. Oh, I love that. It was so cool. And our girls, my girls have never been Christmas caroling. I'm like, oh, that's sad. Really? Yeah, they've never done that. I guess probably my youngest friend has it either. Oh man, that's weird. We're doing that this year then. Yeah, no, we should do that. Did they do that in New Zealand? I don't know what we should go sing to someone to your house. Yeah, we'll videotape it live. We might show up at your door. You better watch out when that doorbell rings. It's not even dark out, but we're going to sing to you. We're hot cocos. And Chloe can play the ukulele. Yes, yeah, that'll be good. Oh my gosh, that's crazy. But if you guys have differences that are like, yes, comment below, tell us. So two things I want you to comment below. Share your unique traditions. Then if you are somebody that lives in a different country, what traditions have you brought that you continue to do from the way you grew up or the way that your family does it that you've brought with you? So like people always ask me, one of the questions is, did you bring ornaments with you? And absolutely, because your kids make all these unique ornaments, even though they're not great, but they have their memories of each year at school, right? And so of course you're bringing those. Like those are for sure. Like I don't recommend that you need to even bring a whole lot if you move, but those you're bringing because it's your Christmas tree and it doesn't have to look perfect. It just has to be represent of the years and yeah, all the unique things. So yeah, and then just kind of, yeah, I would just really like to know like what are the unique things that you do or things that you have brought and continue to do from maybe your childhood or if you've moved. So yeah, so I hope you enjoyed the episode this week. I hope you guys have a wonderful, wonderful Christmas and New Year's this year, wherever you are in the world. I know the world is not the same as it has been in the past, but we're grateful for where we're at and having the family that we have close by. But see you next week. See ya.