Christmas is a special season for our TESOL students. Many of our TESOL students are currently located around the globe; others have lived overseas for a significant time. They would like to share Christmas traditions from around the world with you.

In Belarus, we celebrate Christmas twice! Protestants and Catholics celebrate on December 25, while Orthodox Christians celebrate on January 7; both days are public holidays! We usually attend a Christmas service and share a meal with family and friends; gift-giving and Santa Claus (Grandfather Frost) are associated with the New Year, not Christmas. С Рождеством Христовым! 

In Ukraine, on Christmas Eve, many people go to church for a midnight service. After that, they return home to share a special dinner called Sviata Vecheria (‘Holy Dinner’) which consists of 12 meatless dishes including borscht, varenyky, and kutia (boiled wheat mixed with poppy seeds and honey); the 12 dishes represent the 12 apostles. In addition, caroling plays a significant role in the celebration with groups of friends or neighbors dressing up to sing koliadky and bring Christmas greetings to every door.

In Lithuania, I always celebrate Christmas with my family. My mother prepares a variety of dishes, and I help her set the table. When the other family members arrive, we gather around the table to enjoy the food and each other's company. We also exchange gifts and have a small photoshoot at home to capture this special time.

In Morocco, since Christmas is not celebrated in North Africa, my co-workers and I like to bring Christmas to the university where we work. We plan a Christmas cultural exchange party every year in December and invite our students and local colleagues to enjoy Christmas cookies, music, and holiday discussions. It has always been a fun tradition, and I feel blessed that we can share the meaning of Christmas with them. 

In Mongolia, Christmas is becoming more popular amongst the younger generation. It is not a traditional holiday so many Mongolians confuse New Year's with Christmas. The typical way to celebrate is with large parties with colleagues. Students and young families may celebrate with close friends. It is common to see money hanging on Christmas trees in people's homes, a tradition where friends and family leave money when they visit. Around this time of year, fireworks fill the sky, and Christmas decorations fill the streets and entrances of stores. In the main square of Ulaanbaatar, there are ice sculptures and ice formations for children and families to enjoy. My friend Sara, the youngest in her family, told me that she receives a special bag of goodies at Christmas because she is the youngest. This specific tradition may vary depending on a family's financial situation. While Christmas is not as significant as New Year's in Mongolia, it is beginning to gain popularity. 

Merry Christmas from our TESOL family!  

Author: Robin Gingerich, Ph.D., MA TESOL Program Director at LCC International University.