Christmas is the grandest holiday in the West. Every year on December 25th, Western countries hold various celebrations to welcome the arrival of Christmas and the New Year. Friends who have just immigrated to Canada may not yet know that Canada has its own unique ways of celebrating Christmas, and these customs are specific to Canada.
Visiting Santa Claus
During the Christmas season, parents take their children to shopping malls where they can take photos with a friendly Santa Claus. Beyond malls, many parks such as Mountsberg Conservation Area provide children with magical experiences, such as watching Santa arrive by horse-drawn sleigh under the starry sky, or having the chance to chat with him face-to-face.
Wearing the Ugliest Sweater
Wearing the ugliest sweater to work or to a Christmas Party has become an increasingly popular tradition. The so-called "ugliest sweater" is actually worn to add to the festive fun. If you are looking for one to wear, you can check out thrift stores. They are well aware of this holiday demand and prepare for it every year.
Santa Claus Parades
Whether in a metropolis or a small town, Santa Claus parades take place from mid-November to mid-December. In addition to Santa Claus, the parade processions usually feature Christmas-themed floats, bands, and more. The parades held in Toronto and Vancouver are quite popular, attracting countless spectators every year. If you want to secure the best viewing spot, you need to arrive early. Parades in small towns may not have as many spectators, but they can sometimes be even more entertaining.
Delicacies like Butter Tarts
During the Christmas season, Canadians prepare many specialty foods, including Butter Tarts, a popular baked good similar to pecan pie, made with butter and sugar. Tourtière is a Quebec meat pie that is especially popular in winter, particularly on Christmas Eve. Nanaimo Bars are a British Columbia Christmas dessert made with cream and chocolate.
Winter Lights Festivals
Winter Lights Festivals begin in November and continue through Christmas and the New Year. The Niagara Falls Festival of Lights features not only light shows and displays but also fireworks. Toronto hosts a one-night-only Christmas tree lighting ceremony, accompanied by fireworks and live music in addition to the illuminated tree. These events are held not only in large cities but also in smaller communities.
Snowmobiling on Christmas Day
In Alberta, a popular activity on Christmas Day is snowmobiling, provided the weather permits. Children stand on a sled pulled by a snowmobile, often ending up tumbling into snowbanks, which always brings peals of laughter.
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is on December 26th each year. This may be a tradition originating from the UK—where employers would pack gifts for their servants in boxes and present them on December 26th as a reward for their hard work before Christmas. Today, Boxing Day has become a post-Christmas shopping day, with many merchants taking the opportunity to hold clearance sales. Some customers line up hours in advance, showing great enthusiasm for shopping!
Singing Christmas Carols
Although the activity of singing Christmas carols seems to be fading away, it can still be seen in some shopping malls, and if you are lucky, someone might even come to your doorstep to sing. Some public places prohibit caroling because it is viewed as promoting Christianity excessively without regard for other religions and beliefs.