Tied with tradition: Unique holiday gift customs from every corner of the globe

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By Caitlyn McGregor, Staff Writer

Christmas is all about giving, but how people exchange gifts varies widely depending on where you are in the world. Whether it’s a small, meaningful gesture or a big, flashy gift, the way people celebrate the season can differ. From the lively celebrations in Mexico to the warm family gatherings in Austria, Christmas gift-giving is shaped by each country’s unique culture and traditions. 

To explore how these traditions play out, students from Saint Leo University, hailing from around the globe, shared how they celebrate Christmas and exchange gifts. Their stories offer fascinating insights into the global art of gift-giving, highlighting both the shared joys and cultural nuances that make this tradition so special.

Mexico: A focus on family and faith

For Tamar Olguin Alzate, a junior clinical psychology major from Hidalgo, Mexico, Christmas is a time for family togetherness and religious observance.

“In Mexico, gift-giving during the Christmas season is a big part of the celebrations,” Olguin Alzate explains. “Traditionally, gifts are exchanged on Christmas Eve. While gift-giving is important, the emphasis is often on family togetherness and remembering the religious aspects of Jesus being born.”

Christmas Eve is the main event in Mexico, with families gathering for festive meals, attending midnight Mass, and sharing the joy of the season. “The act of giving itself holds great significance, but the thought and care put into the gift are also valued,” Olguin Alzate says, reflecting Mexico’s deep-rooted traditions of faith and family.

Vietnam: A low-key celebration focused on family and food

According to the National Christmas Tree Association, approximately 25 to 30 million real Christmas trees are sold in the United States each year, with many families keeping the tradition alive by picking out and decorating a tree together. (Photo courtesy of Cecilia Pham)

Cecilia Pham, a junior criminal justice major with Vietnamese roots who grew up in Canada, says Christmas in her family has always centered more on family than on gifts.

“In Vietnam, gift-giving isn’t as common,” Pham shares. “Feasts are a big thing, like Christmas parties. Vietnamese families are huge, so we do play card games, eat Vietnamese candies, and socialize with the family.”

In Vietnam, Christmas focuses on gathering with loved ones to share meals, laughter, and moments of religious reflection. While the commercial side of Christmas has started to creep in, Pham noted that for her family, the holiday remains about the joy of being together rather than what’s under the tree.

Austria: Traditions rooted in religion and family time

In Austria, Christmas Eve takes center stage in holiday celebrations, as Pia Perthen, a senior cybersecurity major, explains. Advent traditions play a significant role in the lead-up to the day, with families lighting candles on the Adventskranz, or advent wreath, each Sunday and marking the season with advent calendars to build excitement.

An Adventskranz, or advent wreath, is a traditional German decoration used to mark the four weeks of Advent leading up to Christmas. Made from evergreen branches, symbolizing eternal life, the wreath holds four candles, each representing hope, peace, love, and joy. (Photo was generated by Gemini)

Christmas isn’t as focused on gift-giving, according to Perthen. “We don’t really get specific gifts for Christmas, but we celebrate with church, family meals, and the joy of being together,” she explains.

In Austria, gift-giving is often simple and thoughtful rather than extravagant. Perthen’s family emphasizes the spirit of the season, with presents serving as a small complement to the deeper focus on religious observances and the warmth of spending time with loved ones.

Cuba: A simple tradition of Christmas Eve gift-giving

For Ali Hernandez, a sophomore criminal justice major from Cuba, the Christmas gift exchange tradition is straightforward. 

“The only tradition Cubans really have is opening presents the night before,” Hernandez shares.

While Cuba’s Christmas celebrations have evolved over the years, with gift-giving becoming more common in some areas, the focus remains on family and religious observance. The tradition of opening gifts on Christmas Eve highlights the Cuban emphasis on spending quality time with loved ones, making the evening itself the heart of the celebration.

“It’s really about being together,” Hernandez says. “Gifts are just a part of that.”

Canada: A familiar blend of global practices

In Canada, the holiday season reflects many American customs, including the exchange of gifts on Christmas Day. However, as Cecilia Pham points out, Christmas in Canada has a distinctly North American flavor.

“In Canada, it’s similar to the U.S.,” Pham explains. “People exchange gifts on Christmas Day. It’s considered important, but not a priority. The focus is still on family time, church, and sharing meals.”

Canadian Christmas celebrations feature a large family dinner, with emphasis placed on connecting with loved ones and attending church services to honor the religious significance of the holiday.

universal celebration, yet uniquely personal

What becomes clear through these interviews is that, while Christmas gift-giving traditions may vary from country to country, the core values of love, family, and generosity remain universal. Whether it’s the grand celebrations of Christmas Eve in Mexico and Austria, the quieter observance of family and food in Vietnam, or the simplicity of Cuban gift exchanges, each tradition carries its own special significance.

In the end, no matter where you are in the world, Christmas is about more than just the gifts under the tree—it’s about connecting with others and celebrating the joy of the season together.

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The Lions' Pride is a student-run news organization dedicated to sharing the voice of our Saint Leo community. Our mission is to uphold the Benedictine values, support First Amendment rights, and provide informative and thought-provoking journalism without fear of interference or reprisal.

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