Christmas

Food Traditions

From Around The World That Bring Luck

Quick Summary

During Christmas, people all across the globe gather and indulge in traditional foods rich in symbolism and meaning. Many of these dishes are said to bring good luck and happiness for the coming year. Let's embark on a culinary adventure around the world to explore intriguing Christmas traditions through different foods, the very things that make the holiday feast really special!

Deep Dive   

Around the world, some Christmas meals have been associated with centuries-old superstitions, transforming mealtimes into sacred rituals in which food is more than just fuel; it's protection against misfortune. According to certain traditions, what you eat on Christmas is believed to shape what comes next. In contrast, others seem deliciously strange, from the seafood served in Italy to the traditional tamales of Mexico. 

This is about more than simply food; it's a spell that blends cultures to ensure good fortune through flavourful magic. Make your Christmas dinner more than just a feast, transform it into a ceremony that brings you luck!

Mexico: Tamales for Blessings

During Christmas time, Mexican homes smell of salt-cod stew and tamales, a dish made with corn dough cooked in leaves and loaded with savoury or sweet delights. These foods are said to bring prosperity and harmony. The time, energy, and optimism put into wrapping each tamale symbolise the year to come.

United Kingdom: Pudding for Prosperity

For a long time, the British Christmas pudding was associated with good fortune. Finding a silver coin in the thick fruit cake was a traditional way to ensure financial success the following year. It was thought that even turning the spoon of the custard clockwise would bring good fortune. 

There is superstition around mince pies as well. It is believed that eating one mince pie on each of the twelve days of Christmas would bring good fortune. All of these traditions work together to make dessert a lucky charm for plenty.

Italy: Feast of the Seven Fishes 

The Italians celebrate La Vigilia, which includes the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve, as symbols of life and plenty. Fish and seafood echo the ocean’s grandeur and variety. The number seven has profound religious and numerological roots, referencing the seven days of creation. Seafood in all its forms, from salted cod to prawns, represents abundance and good fortune for the coming year. On Christmas Day, a dish of panettone adorned with candied fruit and raisins serves as an emblem of prosperity and good luck.

United States: Turkey and Cookies

While the American Thanksgiving feast revolves around turkey, the dish makes a triumphant return at Christmas, symbolising good fortune and the importance of family. Pecan and pumpkin pies symbolise abundance, while children leaving milk and cookies for Santa demonstrate generosity, which is said to bring blessings in return. These sweet traditions add another layer of good fortune to the celebration.

Germany: Stollen's Sweet Secrets 

A significant tradition, particularly in Dresden, is the delicious loaf-shaped German Christmas bread known as Stollen. Dried fruits, nuts, and spices are abundant in this yeast bread, which is then lavishly sprinkled with icing sugar. Some believe that the form of the bread symbolises the baby Jesus encased in swaddling garments.  

Stollen is traditionally made or bought by German households weeks before Christmas and left to mature like good wine. When you share stollen, you are sharing blessings, and visiting Christmas markets, while adding mulled wine and gingerbread to the mix brings even more delight and good fortune.

Poland: Wigilia’s Twelve Dishes

During Wigilia, a Polish Christmas Eve celebration, twelve dishes are served to represent the twelve apostles and the twelve months. Scales from carp are kept in wallets as a symbol of wealth because of the fish’s fortunate reputation. Barszcz (beetroot soup) and pierogi symbolise strength and joy. Moreover, beginning the dinner at the first glimpse of the starry sky is said to bring good fortune.

Japan: Strawberry Joy

Japanese Christmas is secular; however, people eat symbolic foods on the holiday. Interestingly, fried chicken buckets are ordered weeks in advance by families who believe that enjoying the meal together pleases them. On a sweeter note, strawberry shortcake, with its delicate red-and-white swirls, symbolises happiness and innocence.

Bring Luck to Your Own Table

Christmas dinners are often seen as auspicious rites in many cultures. Some of these traditions, like sharing tamales or eating grapes at midnight, serve as reminders that wishing for good luck comes from being thankful, hopeful, and united as a community. Whatever country you belong to, why not try traditional dishes from different cultures and create your own unique way of celebrating good luck this year?