This holiday season, you can spread joy by learning to say “Merry Christmas” in a different language.
When you wish a friend a “Merry Christmas” in their native language, you’re giving them a little piece of home during the holiday season. It can be especially meaningful if you’re spending the festive season away from your home country. Learning how to say “Merry Christmas” in the language spoken wherever you are can help spread the holiday spirit and make everyone feel included.
Christmas is a holiday widely observed around the world but isn’t celebrated the same way. Each culture has their own unique traditions used to mark the occasion.
Also, during this feast, families share opłatek, which is a thin wafer, according to the source.
Carp typically takes center stage at the feast.
Christmas wafers are broken and shared among family members in Poland during Christmas. (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
10. German
“Frohe Weihnachten!” means “Merry Christmas” in German.
Even those with no religious affiliation in Germany widely celebrate Christmas.
In 2023, 81% of Germans celebrated the occasion, according to deutschland.de.
In Germany, putting up a Christmas tree and giving gifts are both customary.
In addition, adventskranz, or Advent wreaths, are common in Germany, according to the U.S. Army website.
The wreaths feature four candles symbolizing the four Sundays before the holiday.
Advent calendars are also popular in Germany, which allow children to count down the days until Christmas Eve, per the source.
Another day celebrated in Germany is Dec. 6, which is Saint Nikolaus Day.
On the eve of the day, children typically leave their boots by the door to be filled with gifts from Saint Nikolaus, per the U.S. Army website.
Christmas markets filled with vendors selling trinkets and treats are in abundance during the holiday season in Germany.
