A recent survey by the OverseasGuidesCompany.com looked at differences in how some of the world’s most popular countries spend Christmas. The information was gathered by their expat writers based in these destinations full-time.
Angelos Koutsoudes, Head of OverseasGuidesCompany.com, said: “We often advise overseas buyers to spend some time in their chosen location during the winter months – this is a good time to view the warmer climates as it gives you an idea of how cold and dark it gets. It’s a slower time for estate agents as well, so they should give you more attention – and with demand at its lowest, you may also find you can negotiate a lower price on your overseas property!”
Spending winter in a new location inevitably means spending the festive season there – but how different is it spend the holidays in your new location, compared to in the UK?
Key findings of the OverseasGuidesCompany.com’s survey:
Spain
The biggest difference between celebrating Christmas in Spain instead of the UK is that the main meal is eaten on Christmas Eve, and will usually contain seafood. If you really wish to recreate the traditional British Christmas in Spain, you will need to think about importing the following products: Christmas pudding, brandy sauce, mince pies, cranberry sauce, mincemeat and sage, and onion stuffing.
France
Here you will find that there is not as much ‘hype’ surrounding the Christmas season as you would find in the UK – generally it is much more traditional and religious, and less commercial. A traditional French shopping list will include oysters, foie gras, turkey, goose and duck. You can buy all of these items, locally sourced, at the market.
Portugal
Real trees are quite rare in Portugal, and most people will chose an artificial one. Quite often the large ones on show in each town will be imaginative metal structures.
As in Spain, the main meal is eaten on Christmas Eve, and this will usually be a kind of shellfish – particularly bacalhau (salted cod). Turkey does feature but is not really the main event.
US
Many families in the US traditionally buy their Christmas trees on the weekend following Thanksgiving, and have their homes decorated before the first day of December. Christmas decorations are much the same as in the UK, although outdoor lights are particularly popular.
In the mountains, you can go and choose your own tree, but by the beach you will find that numerous Christmas tree lots spring up at churches, parks, DIY stores and grocery stores.
Italy
Here you will find that the run up is much more restrained and religious than in the UK – Italy is predominantly a Catholic country, and so you should find a distinct lack of commercialism and pressure from retailers. The beginning of Christmas is marked on the seventh and eighth of December – and the eighth is a national holiday.
You will usually find that the gift sets for friends and family in Italy are based on food and wine, such as wine, cake and cheeses, instead of plastic gadgets. The holidays really are about sharing food with family and friends in Italy. The Panetonne is one of the most popular Christmas desserts.
Canada
Christmas in Canada is seen as an opportunity to spend time with family, friends and neighbours, and Canadians pride themselves on undertaking a celebration that the whole community can be a part of.
Christmas cake, pudding and mince pies are not widely available, but there are speciality stores where you can find them at a premium.
Turkey
You may well find it difficult to get hold of Christmas decorations and other items here. This is because Turkey is largely a Muslim country, and most expats will take the chance to return to the UK for Christmas – and those who do stay will usually attempt to celebrate in the traditional English way at a bar specifically focussed on Christmas.
Christmas Pudding, the usual sweets, gift wrapping and other Christmas items are rarely available in Turkey – you may have to buy early on a trip to the UK, or have friends bring them over. Most drinks, apart from wine, are not available, so these will also need to be imported. You will be unlikely to come across a turkey, but many expats choose to eat chicken instead.
New Zealand
New Zealand is much more laid back, as it is summer there – usually the festive season is celebrated with barbecues and other seasonally appropriate food (which Brits may find it hard to adjust to!). Other than this, Christmas Day is very similar – and you will find all the usual decorations and trimmings, and even turkey (although this is often eaten cold, on the beach!).
Words by OverseasGuidesCompany.com, publishers of buying guides in over 15 countries, 0207 898 0549.
