South Africans are spread all over the world, and with the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s even harder than usual to spend the festive season with family. With many South Africans stranded in different countries, or simply afraid to travel for fear of further restrictions, 2020’s Christmas season is unprecedented. We look at how Christmas traditions all over the world differ and share a little South African nostalgia.

New Zeeland

In New Zealand, Christmas is in the middle of the summer holidays and many New Zealanders spend the festive season outdoors. Because New Zealand is an island, you’re never more than 128 km away from the nearest beach. Therefore, many people choose to spend the Christmas season on the beach. Kids love to leave Santa’s deer carrots and Santa a beer. New Zealanders also have their own Christmas tree called Pōhutukawa. The tree has been associated with Christmas since the 1800s; it has large, red flowers that are used as Christmas decorations. In New Zealand, it is common to braai on Christmas Day, and the most popular meats are ham and game. For dessert, hot fruit puddings are served with ice cream and custard.

Australia

Christmas in Australia is also a summer affair, but despite the heat, the decorations are quite traditional. Unique to Australia are the bundles of Christmas bush they use to decorate their homes. This native plant has small, green leaves and cream-coloured flowers. In summer, however, the flowers turn a deep red, and in some areas, trees lose their flowers over Christmas. In Australia, it is a tradition for Santa to give his deer a break and use kangaroos instead. He also exchanges his outfit and even drinks a cold beer to refresh him. On Christmas Eve, many people buy seafood for dinner, and on Christmas Day, the family usually have lunch together – roast beef, seafood or traditionally cooked food.

Canada

Canada’s varied colonial history makes this country a hotchpotch of Christmas traditions from all over the world. The French, British, German and Norwegian cultures are just a few of those that have influenced Canadian Christmas customs. Some people open their Christmas presents on Christmas Eve while others choose to open them on Christmas Day. Canadians usually make a turkey for Christmas Day and serve it with vegetables and other side dishes. Favourite desserts include Christmas pudding, fruitcake and Christmas pies. Because eastern Canada is known for its pine trees, fresh pine trees are used for most Christmas trees. An extraordinary tradition that occurs in several places in Canada, especially smaller towns, is that people dress up in costumes and knock on their neighbours’ doors. They then expect to be invited in for singing, dancing, Christmas cake and something to drink before moving on to the next house.

United States of America

In America, there are also a variety of Christmas traditions. Many families prepare a pork roast or turkey for Christmas, but those of Eastern European descent like to eat Polish sausages, cabbage dishes and soups while those of Italian descent enjoy lasagne. A traditional Christmas drink is eggnog, a cocktail made from cream, raw eggs and cinnamon that is enjoyed with or without alcohol. Churches usually have a special Christmas service, and many Americans go to church on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Towns and cities countrywide decorate their streets with lights. New York’s large Christmas tree and ice rink at the Rockefeller Center are known worldwide.

England

In England, the big Christmas dinner is usually eaten on Christmas Day, and it is also a family affair. They love turkey, roasted vegetables and sometimes bacon and sausages. For dessert, they like to eat trifle, and Christmas cake with marzipan is also a traditional favourite. Children write letters to Santa with their wish lists. These letters are either mailed to Santa or simply thrown into the fireplace so the wind can blow it through the chimney to Santa. On Christmas Eve, children usually leave Christmas stockings or pillowcases for Santa to fill, and in return, they leave Santa Christmas pies and brandy.

South Africa

In South Africa, the variety of traditions speak of our diverse descent. Large, cooked Christmas meals consisting of roasted chicken, pork roast, leg of lamb and vegetables celebrate our British heritage. Dessert includes fruitcake, trifle and a delicious traditional malva pudding with custard. Family traditions differ. Some families prefer to open presents on Christmas Eve while others have their big celebration on Christmas Day. If all the delicious food makes your mouth water, you can try the following recipe for a unique Christmas dessert.

Photo: Michelle Minnaar

Amarula malva pudding
8 small portions or 1 big pudding

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (250 ml) cake flour
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) baking soda
• Pinch of salt
• 1 egg
• 1 cup (250 ml) caster sugar
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) apricot jam
• 2 teaspoons (10 ml) orange peel
• 1 tablespoon (15 ml) melted butter
• 1 teaspoon (5 ml) lemon juice or vinegar
• 1 cup (250 ml) milk
• Custard for serving

Sauce:

• ½ tin condensed milk
• ½ cup (125 ml) milk
• ½ cup (125 ml) cream
• ¼ cup (60 ml) Amarula liquor
• Pinch of nutmeg

Method:

• Heat the oven to 180°C and grease the serving bowl or individual cups.
• Sift the flour, baking soda and salt together in a mixing bowl.
• Cream the egg and caster sugar together in a separate bowl.
• Add the jam, orange peel, butter and vinegar (or lemon juice) and mix well.
• Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix well.
• Pour into the greased serving bowl or individual cups and cover with foil.
• Bake individual servings for 20 minutes or single serving for 30 minutes until golden brown and cooked.
• For the sauce: Melt all the ingredients together in a pot and pour over the pudding as soon as it comes out of the oven. Poke holes in the pudding with a fork so that it absorbs the sauce more easily.