In a country where the population is well over one billion people, India is widely known to be a Hindu and Muslem country. However, there are still over 26 million Christians residing there.  So during the Christmas holiday season, you’ll still find carolers singing and Father Christmas in many storefront window displays. Bombay, Delhi and Calcutta hold Christmas bazaars and markets where you can find Christmas ornaments, decorations and Christmas themed gifts.

You might find outdoor Christmas decorating in some areas. In Southern India, small clay oil burning lamps are used as Christmas decorations.  They are placed on the edges of flat roofs and on the tops of walls.  Tribal Christians of the Bhil people go out every night in Northern India during the Christmas season singing Christmas carols and retelling the story of the birth of baby Jesus to residents throughout the night.

One of the largest Christian contingents can be found in Bombay, the majority of which are Roman Catholic. Many homes in Bombay take great pride in creating a beautiful crèche, or Nativity scene, to be displayed in their front window. Some also decorate with large paper lanterns that look like huge stars dangling between the outdoor walls of the homes.  Some choose to display artificial Christmas trees, but others choose to simply decorate a banana plant or a mango tree instead.

Gift giving is also prevalent, a tradition most likely carried over when India was still under British rule. Many Christians choose to give baksheesh, or charitable gifts to those who are less fortunate.  The Christmas dinner might include turkey or chicken served with curried rice and vegetables. Vindaloo, which is a pork dish served with rice, almonds and raisins may also be on the menu.  Occasionally, homemade ginger wine is also available.

Father Noel is the gift bringer in Brazil. According to Brazilian folklore, he lives in Greenland, and it’s been said that because of how warm it is in Brazil during the Christmas holiday, Father Noel wears silk clothing to stay cool.

There is a very common tradition among friends and families, called amigo secreto, or secret friend. In early December game participants write their own name on a piece of paper, and then place it in a bowl or hat to be drawn by another participant.  They then draw a name from the bowl, but do not reveal to anyone what name it says. Then throughout December people receive cards and notes from their secret friend, which have fake names on them. Only on Christmas Day do people reveal who their secret friend was and offer a gift. During the month there are exchanges of correspondence among the participants who use fake names. On Christmas, family and friends gather to reveal their secret friends and offer them a special gift.

In the old days, devout Catholics would attend Midnight Mass or Missa do Galo. Galo is Brazilian for rooster. The mass is called by this name because it actually doesn’t end until very early Christmas morning. Since it can be hard to stay up that late, masses are celebrated December 24th later in the afternoon or in the early evening on Christmas Day.

Homes are festively decorated using fresh flowers picked straight from the garden. Brazilians also take great pride in displaying their Presepio, or nativity scene. Gigantic displays of electric lights in the form of Christmas trees can be seen everywhere, especially in larger cities such as Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. Elaborate fireworks displays and festive celebrations help ring in the New Year.