Christmas abroad as an international student: Part 2

Christmas in the US is all about warmth, community, and celebration, whether you’re sipping hot cocoa by the tree, joining a Secret Santa at work, or exploring breathtaking light shows. No matter where you are, you’ll find a little festive magic waiting for you. 

❄️A little Christmas history

Christmas in the US blends global traditions — German tree decorating, English gift-giving, and Dutch Saint Nicholas stories — with American touches like Santa’s modern look, holiday films, parades, and light displays. Reindeer and elves, popularised by the 1823 poem ’Twas the Night Before Christmas and Rudolph’s story, now appear in decorations, movies, and traditions like the “Elf on the Shelf,” making them iconic symbols of the American holiday. 

📅Important Christmas dates

• Black Friday (day after Thanksgiving): Unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. 

• 1-24 December: Advent calendars, Christmas markets, campus events, and community festivities. 

• Christmas Eve (24 December): Church services, opening one gift, and preparing stockings for Santa. 

• Christmas Day (25 December): Gift-opening, festive meals, and family gatherings. 

Many celebrations continue, with decorations often staying up until early January. 

🎉How Christmas is celebrated across the US 

Christmas celebrations vary widely across the country depending on region, weather, and local culture. 

• Northeast: Snowy streets, Christmas markets, ice skating, and church services. 

• South: Outdoor festivities, light shows, boat parades, and community events. 

• Midwest: Cozy traditions, festivals, craft fairs, and family dinners. 

• West Coast: Modern attractions, cultural festivals, beachside events, and creative light displays. 

🎄Festive traditions at home & work 

Christmas in the US blends both religious and secular traditions. 

At workplaces, you’ll often see: 

• Holiday parties with festive music and plenty of cheer 

• Secret Santa gift exchanges 

• Offices decorated with mini trees, garlands, lights, and Santa cutouts 

At home, families usually: 

• Decorate a Christmas tree. 

• Hang stockings for Santa. 

• Bake cookies and prepare festive meals. 

• Leave milk and cookies out for Santa on Christmas Eve. 

🍗Food that makes the season merry 

A typical American Christmas meal is hearty and comforting: 

• Main dishes: Roasted turkey or glazed ham. 

• Sides: Mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole. 

• Desserts: Pumpkin pie, pecan pie, gingerbread cookies, and lots of homemade cookies. 

• Festive drinks: Eggnog, hot chocolate, warm apple cider. 

In many Southern households, you might also find dishes like sweet potato casserole or fried turkey. Cookie-baking is a holiday favourite for many families. 

🎁The holiday shopping buzz 

Gift-giving is a big part of Christmas in the US. 

• The shopping season officially begins on Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving; stores put up massive sales and magical holiday displays. 

• Charity drives, like Salvation Army kettles, encourage festive giving. 

🗽Top places to visit  

• New York City – Rockefeller Center tree, Fifth Avenue decorations, Bryant Park Winter Village. 

• Chicago – Christkindlmarket, Millennium Park skating. 

• Orlando – Holiday celebrations at Disney World & Universal Studios. 

• Washington, DC – National Christmas Tree and festive monuments. 

• Leavenworth, Washington – A Bavarian-style Christmas village. 

• San Francisco – Pier 39 lights, Union Square tree, holiday cruises. 

✨International students: How to celebrate like a local 

• Join parades, holiday markets, and tree-lighting events. 

• Try festive foods: eggnog, pumpkin pie, ham, and cookies. 

• Explore dazzling neighbourhood light displays. 

• Enjoy US customs: Secret Santa, ugly sweaters, cookie-decorating, and holiday movies. 

• Celebrate with local friends or host families for a true American Christmas vibe. 

Christmas in Canada is everything you’d expect from a winter wonderland—sparkling lights, snowy landscapes, multicultural traditions, and plenty of festive fun. While the holiday has Christian roots, Canadians celebrate it in a wonderfully inclusive, secular way that reflects the country’s diversity.  

⛄A true winter Christmas 

• Expect snow, frost, and freezing temps, especially in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the East Coast. 

• Outdoor fun rules: ice skating, skiing, snowball fights, tobogganing, and admiring the crisp winter scenery. 

• Vancouver stands out with a milder, wetter holiday season: umbrellas over earmuffs! 

🌟Classic traditions with a Canadian twist 

• Christmas trees everywhere. Often fir or pine, thanks to Nova Scotia’s world-famous exports. (They even send one to Boston every year as a thank-you tradition!) 

• Homes glow with red-and-green lights, stockings by the fireplace, and the smell of freshly baked cookies. 

• Canadians love Christmas crackers, rich fruitcake, plum pudding, and butter tarts. 

• Some families open all gifts on Christmas Eve, others just one—stockings get special treatment. 

🍁Only-in-Canada traditions 

• Réveillon (Quebec & New Brunswick): Late-night Christmas Eve feast with tourtière, ragoût, and Bûche de Noël. 

• Mummering (Newfoundland & Labrador): Costumed neighbours knock on doors, sing, dance, and enjoy treats. 

• Belsnickeling (Nova Scotia): Visitors dress up in quirky Santa outfits and visit houses until someone guesses who they are. 

• Sinck Tuck (Inuit tradition): Dancing and gift exchanges in northern communities. 

• Taffy pulls in northern Canada: Social events for young adults. 

Canada’s December isn’t just Christmas. It’s also brightened by Hanukkah and other cultural celebrations. 

🌆Where the magic happens: Big city celebrations 

Toronto 

• Home to the world-famous Santa Claus Parade and the glittering Cavalcade of Lights. 

• Distillery District’s Christmas market brings European charm to the city. 

Vancouver 

• Canyon Lights at Capilano Suspension Bridge—a glowing, forested light spectacle. 

• Easy access to skiing at Whistler or Cypress Mountain. 

Montreal 

• Défilé du Père Noël parade (Santa Claus Parade), the stunning Luminothérapie (light therapy) light installations, and a bustling Christmas market scene. 

• Old Montreal looks straight out of a postcard. 

Quebec City 

• Possibly the most magical Christmas setting in Canada, with its cobblestone streets and the iconic German Christmas Market. 

Ottawa 

• Parliament Hill’s winter projections and the sparkling Pathway of Lights steal the show. 

🥘Food, festivities & feasting 

• Christmas dinner often includes roast turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, seasonal veggies, and traditional desserts. 

• Some coastal families enjoy lobsters on Christmas Eve. 

• Many families also enjoy butter tarts, shortbread cookies, and the beloved tourtière (a French-Canadian meat pie). 

• Cookie-baking sessions are common.  

• Workplaces join the festive fun with casual gift exchanges, themed potlucks, and relaxed holiday parties. 

🛒Boxing Day: Canada’s big shopping frenzy 

• On 26 December, the country dives into major sales and mall mayhem. 

• Many international students love discounts (and the post-holiday calm). 

🎓International students: How to celebrate like a local 

• Join neighbourhood light festivals or Christmas markets. 

• Try classic holiday treats like gingerbread, hot chocolate, or regional favourites. 

• Attend community events, carol nights, or campus holiday gatherings to meet people. 

• Volunteer at local charities or food drives to experience the giving spirit of the season. 

• Take part in local traditions, from decorating a tree to exchanging Secret Santa gifts. 

• Explore winter activities like ice skating, sledding, or festive outdoor walks. 

• Share your own cultural traditions; Canadians love learning about global celebrations! 

Christmas in New Zealand isn’t a winter wonderland: it’s a sunny, sandy, summer celebration. Think beach towels instead of blankets, barbecues instead of fireplaces, and Santa swapping snow boots for jandals. A Kiwi Christmas blends classic British traditions with uniquely local flavours, Māori influences, and plenty of outdoor fun. 

🌞What makes Christmas unique

A summer Christmas 

With December marking the start of summer, Christmas is all about beaches, picnics, hikes, and long, warm evenings.  

The Pōhutukawa Christmas tree 

This iconic tree blooms bright red in December and is considered New Zealand’s own Christmas symbol—featured everywhere from cards to decorations. 

A relaxed, family-first vibe 

Christmas here focuses less on religion and more on families coming together, relaxing, enjoying good food, travelling, and spending time outdoors. Church services do take place, but many families treat the holiday more casually and inclusively. 

🍽️Feasts, flavours & festive moments 

A Kiwi Christmas table reflects the summer season: 

• BBQs with lamb, seafood or sausages and fish and chips. 

• Traditional favourites like ham or turkey are still common, but many families prefer lighter meals. 

• Desserts shine, especially the beloved pavlova, topped with whipped cream and fresh summer fruits. 

• Some Māori families prepare a hangi, cooking meat and vegetables slowly in the earth for a smoky, festive feast. 

• Cold drinks: White wine, beer, fruit punch, summer cocktails, iced coffee or chocolate.

🎊Traditions & community celebrations 

• Santa Parades: Colourful floats, marching bands and local performers fill towns from mid-November. 

• Carol services: Held everywhere from churches to parks, often featuring Kiwi carols like Te Harinui. 

• Christmas lights: Big displays light up cities like Auckland and Wellington. 

• Mid-winter Christmas: Some towns also celebrate a second Christmas in July—just for the cosy winter vibe. 

• Workplace fun: Offices hold end-of-year parties, BBQs or join community parades by creating festive floats. 

🧡How Kiwis spend Christmas 

• At home: Gift exchanges, relaxed meals and backyard games. 

• At the beach: Swimming, beach cricket, BBQs and soaking up the sun—especially for families with a bach (holiday home).  

• Camping trips over the Christmas break are common, too. 

• In cities: Christmas light shows, concerts and busy shopping precincts. 

• In small towns: Community parades, local markets, and neighbourhood gatherings. 

📦Christmas shopping  

Shopping is a fun and festive part of Christmas in New Zealand, with city centres, markets and malls buzzing with summer energy, bright decorations and plenty of gift options. Top places to shop: 

• Auckland: Queen Street, Commercial Bay, Sylvia Park. 

• Wellington: Cuba Street, Lambton Quay, Underground Market. 

• Christchurch: The Tannery, Riverside Market, Ballantynes. 

• Queenstown: Arts & Crafts Markets, Remarkable Park Town Centre. 

Perfect for finding gifts, soaking in the festive vibes and celebrating like a local. 

🧑‍🎄International students: How to celebrate like a local 

• Hit the beach on Christmas Day. 

• Attend a Santa Parade in your town or city. 

• Try a Kiwi BBQ with lamb, seafoodor sausages. 

• Taste a pavlova (or attempt making one!). 

• Walk under a blooming pōhutukawa tree. 

• Explore night markets for gifts, crafts and festive treats. 

• Join a carol service or outdoor concert. 

• Spend a relaxed day with friends; Kiwi Christmas is all about easy, feel-good fun. 

Whether you’re marvelling at dazzling light displays in New York, enjoying a snowy winter wonderland in Canada, or soaking up the summer sun on a Kiwi beach, Christmas abroad offers unforgettable experiences for international students. With this two-part series complete, you now know how the holiday season comes alive across six top study destinations. So, grab your hot cocoa (or iced chocolate!) and get ready to celebrate Christmas like a local.