Here we take a look at some of the yuletide customs observed by our cousins across the globe
The Netherlands
Here, the most important day of the festive season is December 5, when Sinterklaas, or St Nicholas, arrives by steamboat from his home in Spain.
Until the 19th Century, Sinterklaas operated along, bringing well-behaved children presents and spiriting bad youngsters away in his sack for re-education and a beating.
However, in 1850, children's author Jan Schenkman drew him with a black servant, who later became known as Zwarte Piet or Black Pete.
It became Zwarte Piet's job to go down the chimney to deliver presents and catch the less fortunate children.
Iceland
The land of ice and snow has no fewer than 13 Santa Clauses.
Thirteen days before Christmas, the first Santa descends from the mountains and visits each house to put treats in children's shoes while they sleep.
Well-behaved children get presents such as mandarins, scratch cards and sweets, while bad kids typically receive something less attractive, such as a potato.
The next day the second Father Christmas comes to town and so on.
Then on December 25, the first one goes back, the next day the second one goes back.
January 6 is called "the thirteenth" and is the last day of Christmas because that day the last Santa goes home.
Germany
Here, Christmas Eve is the most important day of the festive season.
Families traditionally mark the occasion with a feast and a visit to church for midnight mass.
Some families will sing at Christmas but in general the mood is one of contemplation and reflection.
Poland
For Polish children presents arrive on December 6.
That's because this is St Nicholas Day, or Sw. Mikolaj Day and St Nicholas is the original Father Christmas.
Unlike Santa in the UK, this character dresses in the white and gold of a Bishop, rather than red and white.
Norway
Here, presents are exchanged on Christmas Eve.
They are sometimes delivered by Santa Claus, although he goes by the name Julenissen.
Gifts are also brought by small gnomes called Nisse.
Many families will leave a sheaf of wheat out for birds to eat over Christmas.
They often also leave out rice porridge for the Nisse who are believed to watch over farm animals.
Argentina
Argentinians decorated their homes with lights and wreaths and hang red and white garlands of flowers on their doors.
Christmas trees are also popular and they are often decorated by December 8 - the feast of the Annunciation, when Christians remember when Mary was told she would have the baby Jesus.
The Nativity scene, or pesebre, is also an important Christmas decoration in Argentina.
Here, the main Christmas meal is eaten during the evening of Christmas Eve.
Popular dishes include roasted turkey, roasted pork, stuffed tomatoes and Christmas bread and puddings like 'Pan Dulce' and Panetone.
People often set off fireworks at midnight and 'toast' the start of Christmas Day.
Australia
Christmas comes in the middle of the summer holidays here.
Australians hang wreaths on their front doors and sometimes go carol singing on Christmas Eve.
People also decorate their houses and gardens with Christmas trees and lights.
Australians also decorate their houses with bunches of 'Christmas Bush', a native tree with small green leaves and cream coloured flowers.
When he gets to Australia, Santa gives the reindeer a rest and uses kangaroos or 'six white boomers'.
Nigeria
Christmas in Nigeria is a family event.
Many families will throw Christmas parties that will last all night long on Christmas Eve, then on Christmas Morning, they go to church to give thanks to God.
Homes and streets are often decorated and most homes have artificial Christmas trees.
Nigerians do eat turkey at Christmas.
However, in addition, a traditional Christmas meal may include beef, goat, sheep, ram or chicken.
Vietnam
In Vietnam Christmas Eve is often more important than Christmas Day.
The country used to belong to France and there are still French influences in its Christmas traditions.
For example, like in France, the special Christmas Eve meal is called 'reveillon' and has a 'bûche de Noël' (a chocolate cake in the shape of a log) for desert.
Vietnamese people like to give presents of food and at Christmas a bûche de Noël is a popular gift.
Santa is called Ông già Noel - which translates as Christmas old man. - DailyMirror
Note: this article is originally posted at www.mirror.co.uk - http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/how-christmas-celebrated-around-world-2899925
