In Mexico, the Christmas holiday starts with Posadas, a festival where communities re-enact the nativity story. Families also set up pi?atas - clay or straw containers filled with toys and sweets that are hung from the ceiling. While pi?atas come in all sorts of shapes, the traditional Christmas pi?ata is a star with seven points that represents the devil and the seven deadly sins. Children are blindfolded, then take turns to use a stick to try and break the devil's hold on the goodies inside.

3. Venezuela

Venezuelan families decorate their homes with pesebres or nativity scenes on December 16th and then attend festive church services that lead up to a special mass and family dinner on Christmas Eve. The Magi - the three wise men who worshipped the baby Jesus in the stable at Bethlehem - arrive to deliver presents on January 6. Kids put out straw for their camels, and are left gifts, and a very sooty kiss on the cheek from Balthazar, chief of the Magi.

4. UK

British people start holiday preparations in November, sending Christmas cards to friends, and decorating their homes. Mistletoe is hung in the doorway and couples kiss underneath it for good luck. On Christmas Eve, children hang up stockings to be filled by Santa, and worshippers flock to Midnight Mass. Christmas Day is dominated by presents, a huge roast turkey lunch, the Queen's Christmas Day speech, and visits to friends and neighbours.

5. Germany

Germans begin Christmas preparations at the beginning of Advent by baking dozens of different types of biscuits to hang from the family Christmas tree and give to guests as treats. Homes are also decorated with advent calendars marking the countdown to Christmas, wreaths made from evergreen, and bowls of nuts and tangerines. Presents are delivered by the Christ Child late at night on Christmas Eve, and are opened at midnight.

6. Russia

Communist rulers banned Christmas for much of the 20th century, but the holiday is now enjoying a revival. Celebrated on January 7th, the modern festivities mix Christian and Slavic traditions. On Christmas Eve, families gather to share a twelve-course dinner, one course in honour of each of the twelve apostles. The following day is dominated by a visit in person by Grandfather Frost and his Snowmaiden granddaughter who hand out gifts.

7. Nigeria

In tropical Nigeria, Christmas preparations start in early December. People decorate homes and churches with a mix of palm leaves and plastic Christmas trees, gather their whole family in one place, and spend days cooking up huge meals for the holiday period. Christmas Day includes a church service, and is followed by feasting, dancing, drumming, and hundreds of fireworks.

8. Indonesia

Hari Natal in tropical Indonesia starts in November when shops start playing Christmas carols and putting up nativity scenes, Santas, elves, and reindeer. During Advent, the four weeks that lead up to Christmas, communities put on theatre shows retelling the nativity story and Christmas carol concerts, and exchange small gifts with friends and relatives. As Jesus is considered a Muslim prophet as well, Muslims celebrate too but in a quieter way.

9. Japan

As there are very few Christians in Japan, Christmas is not officially a holiday. However, Christmas lights, evergreens, Santas, sleighs and reindeer are now commonly seen in homes, offices and shops. Children receive presents from their parents but the emphasis is on romance. Lovers exchange gifts on Christmas Eve, go out for dinner, and eat Japanese Christmas cake, a sponge cake topped with whipped cream and strawberries.

10. Australia

While Christmas falls in the middle of summer in Australia, many people follow UK traditions. This leads to some very odd behaviour, like hanging up snowflake decorations, spraying fake snow along window edges, and setting up plastic snowmen while it's 35 degrees Celsius in the shade. Turkey remains the most popular Christmas meal, but it is often barbecued instead of roasted. Australians living on the coast have beach parties that include fun attractions like surfing Santas.

Test your Christmas vocab

Answer the following questions.

If you need a hint, check the text.

1. Small, magical beings with pointed ears.

2. Winged messenger from heaven.

3. A light in heaven.

4. A conifer, often used as decoration.

5. Shrub associated with luck and health.

6. Beautiful icy crystals.

7. A popular name for St Nicholas.

8. These animals help Santa travel around the world.

9. Horse-drawn sledge.

10. The month leading up to Christmas.

11. The three wise men who worshipped the baby Jesus.

12. The birth of Jesus.

Answers

1. Elves

2. Angel

3. Star

4. Evergreen

5. Mistletoe

6. Snowflakes

7. Santa

8. Reindeer

9. Sleigh

10. Advent

11. Magi

12. Nativity