Christmas is a warm family holiday that brings together the closest people around a sumptuous table every year. Find out what delicacies people in different parts of the world will treat themselves to, maybe it will inspire you to cook something new for Christmas 2024

On a day when the Christmas lights twinkle brightly and the snow covers the ground, families in many parts of the world gather around the festive Christmas table to enjoy unique traditional dishes that have been passed down from generation to generation. From roast turkey and glistening glazed ham to spicy chicken stew - find out what will be on the table this Christmas around the world.

United Kingdom

A classic British Christmas dinner is a delicious traditional meal: roast turkey, suckling pig, roast potatoes with Brussels sprouts and many other vegetables, including parsnips, red cabbage, cheese with cauliflower and carrots. All generously poured with a special Christmas gravy, as well as cranberry sauce.

For dessert - a classic Christmas pudding. A fruit pie with spices, brandy butter or custard is doused in brandy and set on fire before serving. Christmas pudding is a major symbol of the holiday spirit in the United Kingdom.

USA

In the United States, the main course of the Christmas feast is often a succulent roast turkey, accompanied by a mixture of classic side dishes such as mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and gravy. Another popular dish is glazed ham. Pumpkin pie or pecan pie usually completes the meal, adding a sweet touch to the celebration.

Italy

In Italy, the Christmas dinner tradition is known as the “Feast of the Seven Fishes”. Families gather for a sumptuous seafood feast that may include dishes such as salt cod, shrimp, squid and various fish dishes. The number seven is symbolic, representing the seven sacraments.

For dessert, you can try panettone with chocolate or raisins, or pandoro, panforte and nougat.

Denmark

Pickled, smoked or fried herring is on the menu of many Danish families almost 365 days a year. However, Christmas requires a special recipe, so the main dish of julefrokost, the traditional Christmas dinners held during December between friends, family and colleagues, is Julesild herring, which is seasoned with cinnamon, cloves and sandalwood. It is best eaten with a slice of rugbrød (Danish rye bread) and a spoonful of homemade remoulade.

Australia and New Zealand

Since Australia and New Zealand celebrate Christmas in the middle of summer, the most popular local tradition is a family barbecue on the beach. A variety of meats are roasted, but lamb is a particular favourite, and Australians enjoy the classic glazed ham outdoors in the sunshine.

Sweden

The Swedish Christmas dinner is known as julbord and translates as “Christmas table.” It includes a wide range of traditional Scandinavian dishes, including Christmas ham, gravadlax, meatballs, herring salad, liver pâté, rye bread and red cabbage.

Japan

Christmas is not a public holiday in Japan, and as such is not a particularly big holiday. However, some families do celebrate Christmas and even treat themselves to some pretty interesting dishes. A successful marketing campaign in the 1970s has led to many Japanese families now enjoying a bucket of KFC on Christmas Day. It is so popular that many families have to order their bucket a few weeks before Christmas to make sure they can take part in the famous tradition.

For dessert, strawberry shortcake is a layered sponge cake with strawberries and cream, which has become a popular option and often resembles the usual Christmas puddings.

Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, an analogue of traditional Christmas is celebrated on January 7th. On this day, the hostess serves Doro wat, a spicy chicken stew with a pancake-like fermented flatbread that can be used to scoop up the stew. Ethiopians also like to drink specially roasted coffee after dinner.

Mexico

In Mexico, tamales are served on all major holidays, including Christmas, which Mexicans celebrate on December 24. Tamales are made from corn dough, which is then steamed in banana leaves or corn husks. Other dishes on the Christmas table in Mexico vary depending on the region, but often include bacalao (salted cod), pozole (a traditional soup) and buñuelos (a bit like mini-doughnuts).

Another important ingredient is Christmas punch - served on the eve of Christmas Eve. It is usually alcohol-free and is prepared by boiling fruits such as guava and apples with spices, herbs and sugar.

Poland

Christmas dinner in Poland is traditionally free of meat, eggs and dairy. Although not everyone in Poland strictly follows these Orthodox religious practices. The meal includes 12 courses – one for each of the apostles and months of the year – and begins when the first star is visible in the night sky. Carp, borscht (with or without meat) or beetroot soup and dumplings with sauerkraut can all be part of the dinner known as Wigilia.

Germany

A typical German Christmas dinner usually includes roast meat, such as duck or goose, as well as potatoes and red cabbage as a side dish. Stollen and a gingerbread house often round things off.

Philippines