The holidays are just around the corner. Everyone is anxious to travel to Grandma’s and get some of her honey glazed ham. This is only one of few ways Christmas is celebrated. Countries everywhere celebrate this holiday in a similar, yet different way than the United States.
In Thailand, the citizens do not celebrate Christmas. Former foreign exchange student Dream states, “…We’ve [an] event or festival just for fun. I think we’ve it just for marketing.” She also says, “In my school on Christmas, our English teacher will dress up as Santa and come to give us candy.” Instead of celebrating the holiday, they have a huge festival and consume lots of candy. Statues of elephants are also decorated for this festival.
In the Philippines, Christmas is celebrated with family, much like the United States. According to Kenneth Manubag, “…we usually have roasted chicken, spaghetti and ham.” Further research shows that their chicken is roasted in garlic. This country celebrates Christmas similarly to America; however, they have and chicken and spaghetti as their main dishes.
- “In Spain, it continues until January sixth, Three Kings Day,” says Mr. Garcia, who is from Spain but teaches Spanish at LaRue County High School and Middle School. Christmas is considered a very holy holiday and is used to spend time with family. Very few gifts are given during this holiday. “Nativities are very popular in Spain,” Mr. Garcia also stated, adding to the idea that Spain considers Christmas a specific holy holiday. They make foods such as “Turron de yema” (Egg yolk nougat), “Turron de Alicante” (hard nougat), and “Turron de Jijona” (soft nougat.) A huge lottery, known as “El Gordo”, takes place on December twenty-second, when the tickets are drawn and everyone watches on television.
References
Cavanagh, Roy. 24 December 2009. Photography .
Hogarmania. n.d. Photography. http://www.hogarmania.com/cocina/recetas/postres/201111/turron-duro-alicante-12749.html
Pinch of Yum. 22 August 2013. Photography .