Britannia Festivities
Brits pull these at Christmas dinner, each containing a small toy and a paper crown.
Christmas crackers
Christmas Eve dinner traditionally has this many dishes.
12
This hot spiced drink is Denmark’s Christmas beverage.
Gløgg
In Poland, families wait to see this in the sky before dinner begins.
First star
This 1990 comedy features Kevin being left behind while his family flies to Paris.
Home Alone
This fruit-filled dessert is traditionally set on fire with brandy.
Christmas pudding
This wafer is shared before the meal as a symbol of peace.
Opłatek
Dance around this before opening presents.
Christmas tree
Countries sing these together after dinner.
Christmas carols
This animated Dr. Seuss character tries to stop Christmas from coming.
The Grinch
In Scotland, this major celebration on Dec 31 includes “first footing.”
Hogmanay
The star of the Polish Christmas table.
Carp
This jolly figure is said to arrive on Christmas Eve to deliver gifts to children
Santa Claus (or Julemanden in Danish)
Children leave out shoes for gifts.
Christmas stockings/shoes
In this classic British film, characters’ stories intertwine in London at Christmas.
Love Actually
This British monarch gives a televised message every Christmas Day.
The King (currently King Charles III)
This soup, made with sauerkraut and mushrooms, is a Christmas Eve staple.
Kapusniak or Mushroom Soup
TV features this daily countdown program for kids.
Julekalender (Christmas Calendar)
An empty seat at the table is reserved for this symbolic guest.
Unexpected visitor, lonely soul, The "gowther" or "the lonely seat
This 1990 comedy features John McClane trying to stop terrorists in a Los Angeles skyscraper on Christmas Eve
Die Hard
This Christmas Eve drink—warm ale with spices and eggs—was once a UK classic.
Wassail
Children wait for gifts from this figure on Christmas Eve.
Święty Mikołaj (St. Nicholas)
Christmas dinner often features this roast bird.
Roast Duck or Goose
This tradition involves lighting one candle each Sunday before Christmas.
Advent wreath (Adventskrans)
In this 2003 animated film, a train takes children on a magical journey to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.
The Polar Express