The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
CHRISTMAS OVER THE AGES
Gavin Findlay recently took on the ownership of the Scottish Deer Centre with business partner David Hamilton. Here, he talks about the joy of parenthood, family Christmases and heading for the hills
at all. In Japan, Christmas is more of a commercial holiday, and is treated as a day for couples, much like Valentine’s Day.
“Different seasons also impact celebrations around the world. Australians, for example, celebrate Christmas in the middle of summer, and can pop to the beach in the morning for a swim before they feast.
“Meanwhile, Brits dream of a white Christmas and Polish people fast on Christmas Eve until they spot the first star in the sky.”
Here, with the help of Federico and his fellow culture experts, we’ve put together some of the unique ways Christmas is celebrated around the world. Read on to find out why, in Japan, people have KFC chicken for their Christmas dinner!
AUSTRALIA
Christmas festivities in Australia are very similar to the ones here in the UK, but the one major difference is that Christmas is the middle of summer for those who live down under.
Australians will have very similar Christmas decorations, but their food will be more suitable for the hot weather.
Before lunch families will take a trip out to the beach for a swim. Later they will enjoy food like turkey and ham with fresh salad and seafood. Many people will still eat traditional turkey and stuffing but seafood, especially prawns, is very popular.
In fact, fish markets tend to be open for 36 hours straight on Christmas Eve to serve everyone.
FRANCE
Like in the UK, Christmas is celebrated by most people in France. They decorate their homes and also set up an advent wreath, which has four candles. As each week in December passes, another candle is lit.
The French also celebrate on Christmas Eve. Everybody tends to dress up and eat a large meal, which usually involves lobster or some other seafood. Everyone will go to bed very late. Then on December 25 they wake up, open presents and have a late lunch.
Christmas dinner consists of goose or capon with chestnuts, truffles and mashed potatoes.
GERMANY
In Germany, Christmas is celebrated on December 24 and it’s a big deal. Families start prepping for it as early as October. Like in the UK, they decorate their homes and put up their Christmas tree.
It’s actually believed that the Christmas tree is a tradition that originated in medieval Germany.
Children in Germany have their own version of Santa. Depending on which region they live in, their presents will either be delivered by Weihnachtsmann or Christkind.
Saint Nicholas Day is also a big holiday in Germany, celebrated on December 6.
Children typically polish their shoes the night before and leave them out while they sleep.
In the morning they’re filled with treats like chocolate coins and sweets.
POLAND
The start of Christmas in Poland really takes place on December 24. When the first star appears families will fast until the evening meal.
Christmas dinner will usually contain lots of fish dishes. Beetroot soup is very common to have with mushroom dumplings, which literally translates to “little ears”.
Like in the UK, Christmas trees will be bright and decorative with presents underneath, as well as a display of the nativity scene. Children in Poland very much believe in Santa, though they refer to him as St Nicholas.
JAPAN
Christmas is a big celebration in Japan and the festivities tend to start around November. Christmas decorations in Japan are very similar to ones in the UK, except Japanese homes tend to be smaller so rather than a large tree, people opt for something smaller. Because of this, children wake up with their presents next to their bed as opposed to under the tree.
What’s interesting about Christmas in Japan is that it’s only celebrated by families with children or couples. Couples treat
Christmas like Valentine’s Day – they’ll go on a date and give each other gifts.
As for Christmas dinner, people in Japan will typically eat a meal from KFC, of all places! In Japan it’s very hard to find chicken, so KFCS across the country usually end up with long queues and some people even pre order the chicken in advance.
IT WAS NOT UNTIL THE 1950S THAT CHRISTMAS BECAME A PUBLIC HOLIDAY IN SCOTLAND AND MANY NEWSPAPERS WERE STILL PRINTED AND SOLD ON CHRISTMAS DAY AS LATE AS THE 1970S
CHINA
In China, Christmas tends to be more of a commercial holiday, rather than one that is actually celebrated by families. Major cities and department stores are decorated with large Christmas trees and bright lights.
Families who choose to celebrate Christmas tend to use it as a happy excuse for gettogethers with family and friends.
For those who put up a tree in their homes, it will usually be a plastic one decorated with paper chains and paper flowers.
Similar to Japan, it is hard to find traditional Christmas food in China. Traditional Christmas food will mainly be found in some large supermarkets and large supermarket chains like Walmart.
Q Where in the world are you happiest?
A Every evening when I read bedtime stories to my two-year-old son.
Q Favourite part of Scotland to spend Christmas?
A At home with the fire on, Christmas dinner in the oven and as many of my family that can manage.
Q
A Bear. The two bears we have at the park were one of the main reasons we wanted to make sure the Scottish Deer Centre’s future was safe.
Favourite animal? Q Your house is on fire, what one item do you save?
A My Granddad’s RAF scrapbook.
Q Last meal on Earth? A It would have to be a full Christmas dinner with all the roast veg and stuffing.
Q Dream Christmas guest?
A It would have to be Billy Connolly. I watched a clip from one of his stand-up shows years ago. He spoke about Christmas dinner and I have never laughed as much.
Q First thing you’d do if you won £1 million?
A Investing the money into projects that help people who are struggling mentally would be at the top of my list. Being able to create a place where people can relax and hopefully smile again.
Q
What do you love about the Scottish Deer Centre?
A The outdoor space is amazing and getting to be a big kid again. I can have a vision for something one morning and before I know it the vision has become reality. Owning the zoo with someone as likeminded as David makes it even more fun.
Q Is Christmas the most wonderful time of the year?
A It is definitely the only time of year I can properly switch off and spend quality time with family and friends. That is pretty wonderful.
Q Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?
A Over the next year I will be setting up a charity for something very close to my heart.
Q Favourite holiday destination?
A The Bahamas (I visited there when I was 17, made some lifelong friends and other than Scotland it is the most beautiful place I have ever visited).
Q If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A Mince and tatties the way my gran used to make. There are only good memories from spending my Saturdays at their house being spoiled.
Q
What makes you happy?
A Walking around the Scottish Deer Centre and watching all the families have fun. Whether it is seeing them spotting the different animals we have, climbing on the tractors or walking through the Santa’s Grotto. Making a magical experience and watching the smiles makes it all worthwhile.
Q
A Adults forgetting to have fun. Life is very stressful sometimes but we need to remember to find things that make us happy.
Q Do you believe in love at first sight?
A 100%.
Q
A Dire Straits’ Brothers In Arms is one of the first I can remember buying. It may be slightly before my teenage years but still a favourite.
Q What’s your favourite festive tune?
A Andy Williams’ Its The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year is a firm favourite.
Q
What makes you sad? What was the first album you ever bought? And your top Christmas movie?
A It would have to be a tie between Santa Claus The Movie and The Snowman.
David Huddleston played a very convincing Santa in the movie.
Q If you could go back to any point in history, what would it be?
A I have always loved swimming, which I got from my grandad. If I could go back it would be to when he was alive and in his prime. I would have loved to have a race with him to see who was better. He would always say it would be him but it would be nice to find out.
Q What is the best advice you have ever received, and who did it come from?
A “Keep going or you will sink”. My old swimming coach Frank Jordan. Never a more true word has been spoken. Not only just for swimming but for life in general.
Q
What do you do to unwind?
A A few years ago I started to get back into hill walking. I guess like many it is nice to disappear up a hill with no phone signal and amazing views.
Q
A This is an easy one. November 25 2019 when my son was born. Friends had told me that it was a feeling that can’t be explained and it really was. He will more than likely test me as time goes by but I will always have that moment to look back to.
Happiest memory?