How to spend Christmas Eve abroad

Cookies and milk for Santa on Christmas Eve abroadIn the United States, families like to prepare gifts for Santa on Christmas Eve, and most churches also hold a candlelight service or midnight Mass, which often includes a reenactment of the nativity scene.

Canada: Opening gifts on Christmas Eve In Canada, families usually open their gifts after Christmas Eve Mass, while others usually open only one gift on Christmas Eve and save the rest for Christmas Day.

Russia: Fasting until the evening of Christmas Eve, Russians usually fast until after evening services or when the stars come out, after fasting, some people will eat a traditional Russian dish called kutya, kutya is made of grains, honey, and family and friends enjoy the food from the same bowl *** to symbolize unity, they are not allowed to eat meat during that time.

Spain: Everyone dines with loved ones*** In Spain, Christmas Eve is known as Nochebuena, and to celebrate it, many families get together for a big, hearty meal, usually featuring turkey, lamb or seafood.

Christmas Eve celebrations in other countries

Mexico: Until Christmas Eve children go door-to-door re-enacting the story of Mary and Joseph

Starting on Dec. 16, Mexican children go door-to-door asking if there are any symbolic "hotel rooms " and on Christmas Eve they are invited in to celebrate the re-enactment of the story of Mary and Joseph, a tradition known as posadas, which culminates in a masquerade-style Christmas party filled with food and drink.

Denmark: everyone celebrates Christmas on Dec. 24

Danes generally celebrate Christmas on Dec. 24, which is a time for preparing food and buying gifts, and Danes also count down the days using an Advent wreath with four candles, one for each of the four Sundays starting four Sundays before Christmas Eve.