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→Regional customs and celebrations
[[Japan]] has adopted Santa Claus for its secular Christmas celebration, but [[New Year's Day]] is a far more important holiday. In [[South Korea]] Christmas is celebrated as an official holiday, and in [[India]] it is often called ''bada din'' ("the big day"). Celebrations revolve around Santa Claus and shopping.
[[Japan]] has adopted Santa Claus for its secular Christmas celebration, but [[New Year's Day]] is a far more important holiday. In [[South Korea]] Christmas is celebrated as an official holiday, and in [[India]] it is often called ''bada din'' ("the big day"). Celebrations revolve around Santa Claus and shopping.
In [[Poland]], Santa Claus ({{lang-pl|Święty Mikołaj}}) gives gifts on two occasions: on the night of December 5 (so that children find them on the morning of December 6), and on Christmas Eve (so that children find gifts that same day). In addition to the major observances of Christmas, [[Germany|German]] children also put shoes out at their doors on the night of December 5, and find them filled with candy and small gifts the next morning. Santa Claus ([[Hungarian language|Hungarian]]: Mikulás), or [[Father Winter]] ([[Hungarian language|Hungarian]]: Télapó) also visits [[Hungary]] on December 6, bringing small gifts, and is often accompanied by a black creature called Krampusz; while on Christmas Eve (Holy Night - ([[Hungarian language|Hungarian]]: Szenteste)) the Little (Baby) Jesus ([[Hungarian language|Hungarian]]: Kisjézus or Jézuska) delivers the presents.
In [[Poland]], Santa Claus gives gifts on two occasions: on the night of December 5 (so that children find them on the morning of December 6), and on Christmas Eve (so that children find gifts that same day). In addition to the major observances of Christmas, [[Germany|German]] children also put shoes out at their doors on the night of December 5, and find them filled with candy and small gifts the next morning. Santa Claus ([[Hungarian language|Hungarian]]: Mikulás), or [[Father Winter]] ([[Hungarian language|Hungarian]]: Télapó) also visits [[Hungary]] on December 6, bringing small gifts, and is often accompanied by a black creature called Krampusz; while on Christmas Eve (Holy Night - ([[Hungarian language|Hungarian]]: Szenteste)) the Little (Baby) Jesus ([[Hungarian language|Hungarian]]: Kisjézus or Jézuska) delivers the presents.
In [[Spain]], gifts are brought by the Magi on Epiphany (January 6), and in [[Scotland]], presents were traditionally given on [[Hogmanay]], which is New Year's Eve. In recent times, both countries have also adopted gift-giving on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day. In [[England]] and [[Wales]], children traditionally hang up a [[Christmas stocking|stocking]] on [[Christmas eve]] (December 24), into which [[Father Christmas]] places gifts which are discovered and opened on December 25.
In [[Spain]], gifts are brought by the Magi on Epiphany (January 6), and in [[Scotland]], presents were traditionally given on [[Hogmanay]], which is New Year's Eve. In recent times, both countries have also adopted gift-giving on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day. In [[England]] and [[Wales]], children traditionally hang up a [[Christmas stocking|stocking]] on [[Christmas eve]] (December 24), into which [[Father Christmas]] places gifts which are discovered and opened on December 25.
==See also==
==See also==
*[[American Christmas traditions]]
*[[American Christmas traditions]]
*[[Carols by Candlelight]]
*[[Carols by Candlelight]]