Here's what people eat on Christmas in 21 countries around the globe

Sarah Jacobs
GettyImages 3162676 2Chaloner Woods/Getty ImagesThe American Christmas dinner hasn’t changed much since 1955.

Christmas is a special time for people all over the world.

While the holiday can be celebrated in many different ways, perhaps no custom is more important than the time-honored Christmas Eve or Christmas Day meal.

Still, these meals vary greatly in different parts of the world.

Inspired by this BookTable post by Rob Rebelo, we took a look at some typical Christmas meals from countries across the globe.

Christian Storm contributed reporting to a previous version of this article.

Germans often serve fruity Stollen cake, along with a mulled wine called Gluehwein. Stollen is traditionally baked to have a hump, symbolizing the humps of the camels that carried the wise men to see Jesus.

Joern Haufe/Stringer/Getty

Many Bulgarians fast before Christmas, so on Christmas they nosh on stuffed vegetables, soups, and cakes.

iStock

In Fiji, locals dine on banana leaf-wrapped fish, stuffed chicken, and pork made with a 'Lovo,' an earth oven made with heavy stones, like the one seen below.

FLICKR/LynneS. Licensed under Creative Commons 2.0

We've all heard of 'figgy pudding,' but in the United Kingdom, they actually eat it. Better yet, they cover their Christmas pudding with brandy and set it on fire.

FLICKR/Herry Lawford. Licensed under Creative Commons 2.0

Italians celebrate Christmas by making a meal they call the 'Feast of Seven Fishes,' which features many different seafood items, like calamari, cod, anchovies, and clam linguine.

pointnshoot/Flickr. Licensed under Creative Commons 2.0

France also serves seafood for Christmas, during the traditional Le Réveillon celebration. Meals usually feature lobster, oysters, and foie gras.

Elena Dijour / flickr. Licensed under Creative Commons 2.0

In Sweden, a rice pudding, or Risgrynsgröt, is served during Christmastime. One of the bowls will have an almond submerged in its center, and the lucky one who gets it will have good luck for the rest of the year.

FLICKR/erik forsberg. Licensed under Creative Commons 2.0

In Costa Rica, locals usually eat pork tamales on Christmas, many using recipes passed down through generations.

FLICKR/David Amsler. Licensed under Creative Commons 2.0

In Ethiopia, locals eat a 'doro wat,' a chicken stew served with flat bread. Forget the forks and knives, because like with many Ethiopian meals, you eat this with your hands.

David Stanley/Flickr. Licensed under Creative Commons 2.0

It's summer during Christmas in South Africa, so locals head to the Braai -- an African grill -- to cook up lamb, turkey, and pork.

South African Tourism/Flickr. Licensed under Creative Commons 2.0

On Christmas, Ghanaians eat corn porridge, okra stew, rice, and a yam or plantain mash called 'Fufu.'

Pam loves pie/Flickr. Licensed under Creative Commons 2.0

For various reasons, most people in Antarctica spend their Christmas on ships. So, along with cooked meats, they must make do with canned or frozen vegetables.

Robert Couse-Baker/Flickr. Licensed under Creative Commons 2.0

Egyptian Christians keep vegan on the three days before Christmas. A main staple during this time is Kushari, a macaroni, rice, and lentils dish that's topped with a tomato-vinegar sauce.

Rusaila Bazlamit/Flickr. Licensed under Creative Commons 2.0

Christians in India celebrate the holiday by eating traditional Biryani -- or curry -- dishes. To end the meal, they often eat kheer, a sweet and milky pudding.

Divya Kudua/Flickr. Licensed under Creative Commons 2.0

At midnight on Christmas Eve, Filipino Christians dine on massive whole suckling pigs, often featuring a bright yellow ball of cheese in its mouth.

Lemuel Cantos/Flickr. Licensed under Creative Commons 2.0

Promptly at 6 p.m. every Christmas Eve, Icelandic people sit down to a massive meal of cooked meats, including reindeer meat.

Andrew 鐘/Flickr. Licensed under Creative Commons 2.0

In Argentina, locals dine on Vitel Toné (veal in tuna sauce) as well as turkey, pork, and bread. Oftentimes these meals will be enjoyed in a backyard BBQ style.

iStock

In Finland, people sit down to a Christmas 'Joulupöytä,' a massive smorgasbord of food that includes ham, bread, fish, various casseroles and vegetables, and mulled wine.

suomisyojajuo/Flickr. Licensed under Creative Commons 2.0

People in the United States enjoy eggnog during the holiday months, some more than others.

Dominick/Flickr. Licensed under Creative Commons 2.0

Believe it or not, on Christmas, Japanese residents flock to KFC to dine on tasty fried chicken and all the fixings.

Hollis Johnson

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