However, many families who live in Austria, Belgium, and Denmark prefer the beautiful Advent Wreaths. Christmas traditions in Belgium Belgium doesn’t have one but two Christmas figures! Learn more about Belgium, or visit our Christmas Around the World page to discover how Christmas is celebrated in other countries. Blog. Until the mid-20th century, Belgian writers more often wrote in French even if they were Flemish, due both to the then-dominant position of that language in worldwide culture and its dominant position within Belgium itself (e.g. Category:Christmas in Belgium. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Christmas Celebrations In Belgium A day that is marked as an important day in Belgium during the festive season is December 6th; it is marked as the Feast of St. Nicholas. The holiday is celebrated on 6 December in Belgium. Children leave their shoes in front of the fireplace, rather than hang up a stocking. Other popular markets are Leuven, Antwerp and Liège, who all have their own signature atmosphere. In Belgium, Saint Nicholas ( the patron of school children, since he is said to have revived three children that an unscrupulous pork butcher had turned into sausage meat!) It is also the time for bidding goodbye to the year passing by. Venison, boar and rabbit dishes are also popular at Christmas time in Belgium. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. People celebrate the festival of Christmas with their own unique rituals and traditions. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Children dress up as the three Wise Men and go from door to door, asking for money or treats, and singing. Legend has it that the gentle man with the long white beard and impressive burgundy robes visits all the houses of the Lower Countries in one single night. No stamp needed as long as you get the Holy Man’s address right: Sinterklaas, Spain Street, 0621 Heaven. ... Another of the oldest holiday traditions in Estonia is the Christmas Eve sauna, which is exactly as unappealing as it sounds. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Why your go-to-market strategy should be industry focused Brussels has a wonderful Christmas market over the holidays. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. They generally meet each other and wish everybody a very happy Merry Christmas in … The main Christmas meal is usually eaten on Christmas Eve. Habits, mentality and the way of living. As a predominantly Christian society until fairly recently, Belgium embraced Christmas centuries ago as its single most important holiday. The fundamental part of the New Year is the merrymaking with grandeur. As in The Netherlands, children in Belgium believe that 'Sinterklaas/St. This day begins with a church service where families gather and … You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Walloons on the other hand, live in the southern part and speak Walloon and French. Our guide to Belgian Christmas foods gives you the lowdown on the entire meal. Belgians also drink a lot of its more than 600 varieties of beer during the holiday season. Christmas for both gift-givers is on December 6th, the feast of St Nicholas, it is a religious occasion and is observed with services in churches and quiet family gatherings. Pages in category "Christmas in Belgium" The following 3 pages are in this category, out of 3 total. Jump to navigation Jump to search. One thing they all have in common are the food and drinks: glühwein, jenever (or ‘Flemish gin’) and hot chocolate to keep the insides warm and waffles, pancakes and smoutebollen (deep fried sweet dumplings) to keep the belly content. On Christmas Eve (‘Kerstavond‘ in Flemish and ‘le reveillion de Noel‘ in Walloon), a special Belgian Christmas meal is prepared at home for the family to enjoy together. Belgians that do make it to church that evening have a big chance of running into a lifesize nativity scene on their village square, often with a real donkey and a sheep, to the delight of Belgian children all around. Visiting Christmas markets is popular, and people buy presents, decorations and seasonal food and drink. Belgian and Dutch kids are lucky to have Sinterklaas or Saint Nicholas, a kind of second Santa, show up from Spain twenty days before the actual one makes his way over from the North Pole. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Your email address will not be published. It is held on December 6 every year. Trailing Brazilians by a couple of minutes, Belgians on average get up a little after 9am. ✦ Christmas Traditions in Belgium In Belgium, Christmas traditions are also different from back home. Christmas in Malta: Facts About Maltese Christmas Traditions, Christmas in New Zealand: Facts About New Zealand Traditions, 13 Easy DIY Halloween Decorations – Ideas and Inspiration, 10 Creative DIY Star Wars Christmas Holiday Crafts, Christmas in Germany: Facts About German Christmas Traditions, TT Rockstars Tips: How to Get Better at Times Tables Rock Stars. Whichever the answer, it’s a fact that Christmas Day in Belgium is generally a day of relaxation, of having a generous Sunday breakfast and of visiting old friends and distant family members you didn’t get a chance to see the day before. This has me reflecting on my own traditions and those that I want to start with my family. For the Dutch-speaking community, there’s Sinterklaas, or St. Nicholas, and for the French-speaking community, there’s Pere Noel, or Santa Claus. The preparation that goes into the dinner may not be quite up to the level of North America’s famous Thanksgiving turkey, but it certainly comes close. The carnival is celebrated on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday during the Christian season of Lent. Chocolatiers such as Neuhaus, Godiva, and Leonidas, … These cookies do not store any personal information. Belgium is proud of its chocolate, and special Christmas chocolates are filled with nuts, cream or liquor. As in other countries, Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th. Blog. These are made from evergreen twigs, decorated with ribbons or other Christmas ornaments, and four candles. Christmas in Belgium includes some traditions from nearby Germany. Engage students in your virtual classroom with Prezi Video for Google Workspace Saint Nicholas’ Day is notable on December 6 th and is mainly a kids’ feast. As in The Netherlands, children in Belgium believe that 'Sinterklaas/St. Whichever the answer, it’s a fact that Christmas Day in Belgium is generally a day of relaxation, of having a generous Sunday breakfast and of visiting old friends and distant family members you didn’t get a chance to see the day before. Traditions in Belgium. The day starts with a special church service and ends with an exotic meal at the family dinner table. St. Nicholas is the "bad cop" of the duo, and is all about reconnaissance. Your email address will not be published. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Many will decorate their homes and shops in twinkling Christmas lights, fir tree boughs and Christmas trees. Christmas cookies are also very popular during holydays. Deep fried sweet dumplings are also enjoyed over the holiday, as well as sweet bread shaped like the baby Jesus. St. Nicholas brings children presents on December 6th, St. Nicholas’s Day. It's interesting how similar our traditions are and yet they celebrate St. Nicholas on Dec. 6! and Santa Claus are two different people. When Christmas Eve rolls around, Belgians huddle up with the family for a large communal meal and the unwrapping of the gifts underneath the tree. National traditions of Belgium. Instead of pulling out floats or throwing tons of beads on Mardi Gras, the small Walloon town of Binche celebrates by trotting out bizarre figures in colorful outfits wearing wax masks and weaving bundles of willow twigs. This list may not reflect recent changes . You wouldn’t guess it looking at the Germans’ reasonably put-together neighbors, but Belgians are the second-to-last worldwide to rise on Christmas Day, the New York Times reported last year. Baked treats and specially prepared Belgian dishes are served on this day. This is day 16 in our Christmas Around the World series. Suzanne Lilar, Emile … For Christmas breakfast, Belgians eat the normal Sunday breakfast: baked crusty rolls served with butter and jam and/or coffee cake. Many churches have a ‘real’ nativity scene with live oxen, donkeys and sheep and regular performances by the local choir. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Or perhaps the Midnight Mass? Belgium doesn’t have only one but two Christmas figures! Wikimedia Commons has media related to Christmas in Belgium. Christmas Traditions in the Belgium mark the unity of mankind. The feast of St. Nicholas is one of the most important events during Christmas celebrations in Belgium. Post-dinner bliss is assured by finally opening the presents that have been ogled for weeks and often there will be a round of board games as well. The New Year in Belgium is celebrated on 1st January and is the time for greeting for the year ahead. The feast usually starts with a drink (aperitif) and nibbles, and is followed by a hors d'oeuvres course (appetizers). Nathalie, a mom of two young girls, describes the holiday season in Belgium where she lives. Most of the Belgian population is Flemish, who lives in the northern part of the country and speaks Dutch dialects. To most it’s important, yet nowhere near as important as the evening of December 24th, the Belgian holiday extraordinaire. Belgium boasts not one, but two Santa Clauses, St. Nicholas and Pere Noel. Dec. 2, 2020. St. Nicholas visits those who speak the Waloon language, while those who speak French are visited by … Most important in the run-up to Belgian Christmas are the traditional markets. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. It’s an intimate and cozy occasion that reflects just how important family is to the average Belgian. Belgian literature was more cohesive in the past but is now divided between a Flemish literature and a Belgian Francophone literature. Christmas Around the World Find out how Christmas Traditions and how Christmas is celebrated in lots of different countries and cultures around the world! Whatever your idea of the perfect Christmas, no place does yuletide traditions quite like Europe. Customs, Traditions & Celebrations In Bethlehem Christmas does is not celebrated on a particular day. A traditional Belgian Christmas dinner is usually a three course meal with a main dish of game, roast or seafood. Chocolate advent calendars are popular, as well as advent calendars made from flowers and branches. For instance, St Nicholas’ Day. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. What next? Belgian Christmas Feast On Christmas Eve (le Reveillon de Noel), a special meal is consumed by families and friends. Belgian chocolate is renowned around the world and may be considered a cultural institution. Five strategies to maximize your sales kickoff; Jan. 26, 2021. Seafood is popular, along with a Christmas cake in the shape of a yule log, and plenty of red wine. New Year in Belgium has the name of Saint Sylvester Vooravond eve which symbolizes it. Christian denominations, namely, Catholics, Protestants, Greek, Orthodox, Ethiopians, Armenians and others, differ in terms of Christmas celebrations and also the day observing the birth of Jesus Christ. Skating rinks and ferris wheels are usually around to up the entertainment and kiddie fun even more. Belgium is divided into three parts. Nativity scenes are popular Belgium. Saint Nicholas' Day is celebrated on the 6th of December and is primarily a children’s feast. Holiday Traditions of Belgium "Merry Christmas" In Belgium, there are actually two Santa Claus figures. Merry Christmas in Bolivia. In Belgium, Saint Nicholas and Santa Claus are two different people. Cozy villages built out of wooden chalets and a family-centered Christmas Eve around an overflowing table are traditions dear to many a Belgian heart. There are two Santa Claus figures in Belgium, St. Nicholas and Pere Noel. One is St. Nicholas and other is Pere Noel. You’ll find the most mammoth of christmas trees on the Grand-Place, along with a stunning light-and-sound show. In Belgium, little ones who want to double their booty can write a letter to the Sint via the actual mail and get a present and letter back. Because of the COVID-19/Coronavirus Pandemic, many of the ways that Christmas is celebrated around the world might be … The Zwarte Piet character is part of the annual Feast of St. Nicholas that is celebrated on the evening of 5 December (Sinterklaasavond, which is known as St. Nicholas' Eve in English) in the Netherlands, Suriname, Aruba, and Curaçao.This is when presents and sweets are traditionally distributed to children. Here are some facts about Belgian Christmas traditions, customs and celebrations. The lavish meal begins with a drink ( aperitif ) and nibbles, with a starter course (such as seafood) and the main course (usually turkey) afterward. Belgium’s strong tradition of fine cuisine is expressed in its large number of top-rated restaurants. Christmas is Belgium in beautiful. Yes, you heard it right. A small presentation on Christmases in Belgium! Belgium doesn’t have one but two Christmas figures! Folkloric as can be, … It is his birthday that is celebrated on this day. The main Christmas meal is usually eaten on Christmas Eve. It is another interesting fact about Christmas that majorly people celebrate the festival on 25th December, while many Orthodox people celebrate Christmas on 7 th of January. Jan. 26, 2021. It is a mixture of Flemish, German, Swiss and French traditions, but they all have Christmas in common! After putting out their shoes filled with carrots (for the Sint’s horse), cookies and other treats (for the Sint and his helper Black Peter) the night before, children that have been good throughout the year are greeted on the 6th of December with presents, speculoos and chocolate figurines. We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. Christmas in Belgium. A traditional Christmas dessert is the Yule log ( kerststronk in Dutch / Bûche de Noël in French), a sponge cake covered in chocolate … Niklaas' (Flemish) or 'Saint Nicholas' (Walloon) brings them presents on December 5th and 6th, St. Nicholas' Eve and St. Nicholas' Day. Might the previous night’s gourmet extravaganza have something to do with it? We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Interesting Facts about Christmas Tradition in Belgium During Christmas celebrations, there are two Santa Claus figures in Belgium. And though the religious connotation has waned significantly, the small country still carries a torch for Christmas and all that it entails. Deep fried sweet dumplings are also enjoyed over the holiday, as well as sweet bread shaped like the baby Jesus. While American Christmas holds increasingly commercial sway over much of the world, fascinating and ancient ways of celebrating can be found wherever the faithful or the secular celebrate this winter holiday. Some families go to Midnight Mass service, though this tradition has dwindled over the past couple of decades as the non-religious part of the population grows. St. Nicholas is said to have a horse, rather than reindeer, so a carrot is often left.