This is a little late, since Christmas is over for the year, but an online friend and I were discussing the differences & similarities that our countries celebrate Christmas. Even different areas of countries have different traditions and since we have so many countries represented here, I thought it would be fun to talk about our traditions.
In Canada - at least in Manitoba this is our traditions.
The shopping and the baking both begin in early December or shortly after it snows. Christmas trees are put up in the homes any time in December, depending on whether a real or an artificial tree is used. Santa appears in the shopping centers in early December and there are always lineups to see him. There are extra church services on Christmas eve and Christmas day. Children often head to bed extra early on Christmas eve, after putting out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer and they wake up extra early on Christmas morning to see what Santa left them. This is the day to visit with family and friends and the day ends with a family dinner of turkey or ham with all the trimmings.