Christmas Cultures
Argentina 
Armenia 
Australia 
Belgium 
Brazil 
Canada 
China 
Costa Rica 
Czech Rep. 
Democratic Republic of the Congo 
Denmark 
Egypt 
Ethiopia 
Finland 
France 
Germany 
Ghana 
Greece 
Greenland 
Guatemala 
Holland 
Hong Kong 
Hungary 
Iceland 
India 
Ireland 
Italy 
Jamaica 
Japan 
Latvia 
Lebanon 
Madagascar 
Mali 
Malta 
Mexico 
New Zealand 
Nigeria 
Norway 
Pakistan 
Palestine 
Philippines 
Poland 
Portugal 
Romania 
Russia 
Serbia 
Slovakia 
South Africa 
South Korea 
Spain 
Sri Lanka 
Sweden 
Taiwan 
Trinidad and Tobago 
U.K. 
U.S.A. 
Venezuela 
Vietnam 
Zambia 
Zimbabwe
Christmas in Latvia
People in Latvia believe that Santa Claus (also known as Ziemassvētku vecītis - Christmas old man) brings presents on each of the 12 days of Christmas starting on Christmas Eve. Usually the presents are put under the family Christmas tree. (What a good idea to spread Christmas out longer!)
Latvia also claims to be the home of the first Christmas Tree! The first documented use of a evergreen tree at Christmas and New Year celebrations is in town square of Riga, the capital of Latvia, in the year 1510. Lots of people think the Christmas Tree first came from Germany, but the first recorded one is in Latvia! You can find out more about the Riga Tree from this great website: www.firstchristmastree.com
In Latvian Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Priecïgus Ziemassvºtkus'. Happy/Merry Christmas in lots more languages.
The special Latvian Christmas Day meal is cooked brown peas with bacon (pork) sauce, small pies, cabbage and sausage.
Thank you to Kristine Mace of the Riga Tourist Office for her help in giving me information on Christmas in Latvia!
