How to get ready for Christmas in South Africa: Lunch ideas, trees, crackers, table decor
Are you tired of cold and snow? Then why not spend Christmas in South Africa and enjoy the summer and beautiful flowers in full bloom? This article has a detailed guide on how the holiday is celebrated in South Africa.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
The December festive season is celebrated worldwide. Africa also has traditions and customs regarding marking the most important date on the Christian calendar. From candlelight carols to outdoor feasts, Christmas in South Africa is fun, and you should not miss out! So, how is Christmas celebrated and observed?
History of Christmas in South Africa
Is traditional Christmas in South Africa a big deal? Very much so! It is a special day when people commemorate the birth of Christ in Bethlehem.
Although historians are debating the actual date of his birth, the conventional date is December 25th. So, when African people decorate trees during this period, they are referring to ancient times.
What is Christmas called in South Africa?
Famed as the rainbow nation, South Africa is home of multiple cultures and 11 official languages. Therefore, there are many different ways to call the holiday. Some of the most common ways include:
| Geseënde Kersfees | Afrikaans |
| UKhisimusi omuhle | Zulu |
| Krismesi emnandi | Xhosa |
| Le be le keresemese e monate | Sotho |
How is Christmas celebrated in South Africa?
Schools are usually closed during this time, and everyone is at home with their families. Shops and other businesses usually close and post notices on their doors saying they are closed for the holiday. Some institutions close for the entire month of December to mark these celebrations.
Some of the activities that people indulge in are visits to various attractions sites, such as the Kruger National Park and the beach huts in Muizenberg, where you can take pictures. The area is also a famous surfing town known for freezing water, sharks and fantastic seafood restaurants.
Other beautiful and familiar beaches are Plettenberg Bay, Camps Bay, Clifton Beach, Bloubergstrand, Sodwana, and Durban's South Beach. You can also attend a summer music festival, outdoor movies, or rooftop concerts. These are great ways to have fun and meet new people in South Africa.
Is Christmas Eve a public holiday in South Africa?
Christmas Eve, December 24th, is not officially recognized as a public holiday in South Africa. However, it is widely observed as a day for preparations and celebrations leading up to Christmas, and many businesses close early.
On Xmas Eve, carolers make their rounds decorating the city. Churches hold their services, and the celebrations get better. Christmas decorations in South Africa are also evident.
Christmas trees in South Africa include using pine branches or a decorated Xmas tree. The celebrations are also marked by singing, dancing and feasting.
Source: UGC
Special food eaten on Christmas in South Africa
Christmas is a day for people to eat their favourite delicious meals. Some Christmas foods in South Africa include plum pudding, mince pies, vegetables, turkey, yellow rice, roast beef, and other variations of festive dishes that add a taste to the celebration.
Later, there is a feast of rice and yam paste (fufu) with stew or okra soup, porridge, and meats. Families eat together with close neighbours and even exchange gifts.
In South Africa, it is a long-held tradition to celebrate Christmas Day lunch in the early afternoon. However, this tradition is slowly shifting as more people are opting for an Eve dinner.
Christmas lunch is often eaten outside in beautiful weather. South Africans never miss a chance to have a braai (barbecue); if the weather is perfect, they will fire up the coals and bring out the meat.
Christmas crackers in South Africa
Christmas is incomplete without crackers! Christmas crackers are adorable, festive Christmas table decor in South Africa that make a snapping sound when opened.
They usually include a small gift, a paper hat, and a joke. Pulling the Christmas cracker, which brings joy and laughter into the homes of all who use it, is one of the funniest parts of the Christmas celebrations.
Special clothes worn on Christmas in South Africa
In South Africa, it's a popular tradition to buy new clothes for Christmas to mark the occasion. Most people opt for light, casual attire, given the warm summer weather.
Some may choose traditional African clothing, such as the shweshwe dress for women or a traditional shirt for men, especially for family gatherings or church services.
Many South Africans celebrate Christmas with outdoor activities like barbecues (braais) or picnics, so comfortable, casual wear is common for these gatherings. To add to the festive fun, many, especially children, wear Santa hats or accessories like reindeer antlers.
How long does a Christmas celebration last in South Africa?
Celebrations last for two days. Those businesses that stay open find it challenging to get anything done. The 25th and the 26th of December are public holidays and most shops close, but it is still possible to go grocery shopping at large outlets like Woolworths and Pick' n Pay.
Source: UGC
What countries do not celebrate Christmas?
Afghanistan, Algeria, Bhutan, North Korea, Libya, Mauritania, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Yemen do not recognize Xmas as a public holiday.
What to cook for Christmas lunch in South Africa?
Some traditional foods to cook for Christmas lunch in South Africa include malva pudding, roast potatoes with biltong, South African Koek Sisters, Christmas gammon, and mince pies.
Interesting facts about Christmas in South Africa
- The holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
- Santa Claus was known as Sinterklaas in Dutch.
- The Xmas wreath is a symbol of love and eternal life.
- Baby Jesus received some beautiful gifts when he was born.
- The mistletoe is the symbol of love and laughter!
- People give cards to convey their feelings to their loved ones.
- The bright red flower, the poinsettia, is a traditional Christmas decoration.
- The world's largest Christmas stocking, created in London in 2007, measured 106 feet long and 49 feet wide.
- Jingle Bells was originally written for Thanksgiving in 1857, not Christmas.
- Thomas Edison is credited with the invention of electric Christmas lights in 1880.
- The first Christmas movie ever made was A Christmas Carol in 1908.
The above guide has everything you would love to know and other interesting information about Christmas in South Africa. The celebration includes festive concerts, sunny outdoor feasts, and street parades.
Briefly.co.za recently published an article with Happy New Year wishes, quotes, and messages. Christmas and New Year's are the most celebrated holidays in the world.
There has always been a major celebration at the start of the year that incorporates many fun New Year's customs. This is the best time to interact with the people in your life, and one of the best methods to show them your love and care is to send them New Year's greetings.
Source: Briefly News
Bennett Yates (Lifestyle writer) Bennett Yates is a content creator with over five years of working experience in journalism and copywriting. He graduated from the University of Nairobi (2017) with a Bachelor's in Information Technology. In 2023, Bennett finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. He started working for Briefly in 2019. You can reach him via email at bennetyates@gmail.com.
Adrianna Simwa (Lifestyle writer) Adrianna Simwa is a content writer at Briefly.co.za, where she has worked since mid-2022. She has written for many periodicals on a variety of subjects, including news, celebrities, and lifestyle, for more than three years. She has worked for The Hoth, The Standard Group and Triple P Media. Adrianna graduated from Nairobi University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in 2020. In 2023, Adrianna finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can reach her through her email: adriannasimwa@gmail.com
