Global Gifting Traditions: How the World Celebrates the Holidays

The holiday season—from November through December—brings a beautiful mix of global celebrations. From Christmas and Hanukkah to St. Nicholas Day, Las Posadas, and Lunar New Year preparations, every culture expresses joy, gratitude, and togetherness in unique ways.

And while traditions vary, one thing stays constant: gifting plays an important role in honoring loved ones, cultural values, and shared memories. With MyUS, international shoppers can easily find the decorations, gifts, and specialty items they need—shipped from the US and UK straight to their door, no matter where they live.

Looking for present ideas? Explore our curated Holiday Gift Guides for inspiration across every budget and recipient

Holiday Traditions Around the World

Whether it's honoring centuries-old customs or embracing modern holiday trends, countries across the globe celebrate the season in different yet equally joyful ways. Explore how these traditions shape gifting, gatherings, and meaningful moments.

Japan: Christmas is a Light-Hearted, Romantic Celebration

Japan embraces Christmas as a festive cultural event focused on joy, illumination, and gifting.

Key traditions include:

• Romantic gifting between couples, similar to Valentine’s Day
• Christmas illuminations in parks, cities, and shopping districts
• Gift exchanges among friends and coworkers
• Limited-edition holiday sweets, toys & collectibles
• Special Christmas cakes, typically strawberry and cream

Typical gifts:

• Beauty & skincare sets
• Jewelry & accessories
• Plushies, gaming accessories, and collectibles
• Winter apparel

How MyUS Helps:

US and UK stores release exclusive Christmas merchandise and limited-edition items that Japanese shoppers love. MyUS makes them accessible by offering personal US & UK addresses and fast global shipping.

Germany: St. Nicholas Day, Advent & Christmas Markets

Germany’s holiday season is rich with cozy, nostalgic traditions that begin weeks before Christmas.

St. Nicholas Day (Dec 6):

• Children leave shoes outside their door for small gifts, oranges, chocolates, and nuts
• Families exchange modest treats and holiday surprises

Advent Traditions:

• Advent calendars, often filled with chocolates or small gifts
• Advent wreaths with four candles lit weekly

Christmas Markets (Weihnachtsmärkte):

• Famous for handcrafted wooden toys
• Glass ornaments, nutcrackers, Räuchermännchen incense smokers
• Warm beverages, baked goods, and chocolates

How MyUS Helps:

Many US and UK retailers carry authentic German-style décor, wooden toys, and European holiday brands, all of which can be shipped worldwide using MyUS.

México: Las Posadas & Three Kings Day

Mexico’s holiday season is vibrant and family-centered, running from mid-December through early January.

Las Posadas (Dec 16–24):

A nine-night reenactment celebrating community and hospitality.

Traditions include:

• Families and neighbors hosting nightly gatherings
• Piñatas filled with candy and treats
• Traditional music, food, and prayer
• Children often receiving small gifts during the festivities

Christmas Eve (Nochebuena):

• Families exchange gifts and enjoy a late-night dinner
• Nativity scenes (nacimientos) are displayed and decorated

Día de Reyes (Jan 6 – Three Kings Day):

The most significant gift-giving day.

Children receive:

• Toys, dolls, bikes, and games
• Chocolates and Rosca de Reyes
• Special surprise gifts are placed in or around their shoes

How MyUS Helps:

Toy shortages are common during the holidays. MyUS lets families in Mexico shop the vast selections available in US & UK stores, consolidate packages, and save on international shipping.

United Kingdom: Classic Christmas Traditions & Boxing Day

The UK’s holiday season blends centuries-old traditions with modern gifting trends.

Holiday Traditions:

• Christmas crackers with small toys and paper crowns
• Advent calendars, including foodie and luxury editions
• Festive sweaters, pajamas, and winterwear
• Holiday hampers, filled with sweets, teas, jams, and more
• Decorations inspired by the Dickensian style

Boxing Day (Dec 26):

A major shopping and gift-giving day filled with:

• Big sales
• Surprise gifts
• Charitable giving and donations

How MyUS Helps:

International members get access to UK-exclusive brands like Marks & Spencer, Boots, John Lewis, The Body Shop, Next, and Selfridges—delivered worldwide with MyUS.

United States: Christmas, Hanukkah & Kwanzaa

Christmas

American Christmas is diverse and deeply festive.

Common gifting traditions:

• Stocking stuffers for children
• Electronics, tech, apparel, and home goods
• Family pajama sets
• Holiday décor and personalized ornaments

Cultural notes:

Each region of the US has unique traditions—from Southern Christmas dinners to New York’s iconic festive displays.

Hanukkah

The eight-night Festival of Lights includes meaningful rituals.

Traditions:

• Lighting the menorah nightly
• Playing with dreidels and giving chocolate gelt
• Exchanging modest gifts like books, games, or meaningful keepsakes
• Family recipes such as latkes and sufganiyot

How MyUS Helps:

Members can shop for modern and traditional gift items like Jewish-themed décor, toys, books, and holiday supplies.

Kwanzaa

Celebrated from Dec 26–Jan 1, Kwanzaa centers on African heritage, unity, and cultural pride.

Gift traditions:

• Handmade items and crafts
• Books on culture, history, and empowerment
• Artistic décor
• Gifts that reflect personal or communal growth (“Zawadi”)

How MyUS Helps:

US retailers offer a wide selection of cultural books, décor, art supplies, and meaningful gifts that international shoppers often can’t find locally. MyUS makes these accessible globally.

The Philippines: The World's Longest Christmas Season

Filipinos are famous for celebrating Christmas from September to January, but November to December is peak gifting season.

Holiday Traditions:

• Simbang Gabi nine-night mass
• Parol (star lantern) displays
• Family reunions and noche buena feasts
• Generous gift-giving between extended family and friends

Popular gifts:

• Clothing, shoes, and holiday outfits
• Toys for children
• Electronics, phones, and gadgets
• Personalized gifts

How MyUS Helps:

Filipinos abroad love sending gifts home. MyUS helps by consolidating packages, reducing the cost of balikbayan-style shipments.

How MyUS Supports Every Holiday Celebration

No matter which traditions you celebrate, MyUS helps you enjoy a meaningful and well-prepared season:

✔ Shop US & UK stores that don’t ship internationally

Thousands of retailers become accessible instantly.

✔ Consolidate multiple gifts into one shipment

Save money by combining purchases in your MyUS suite.

✔ Access peak-season savings

Enjoy Black Friday, Cyber Monday, December sales, and post-holiday deals.

✔ Fast shipping to 220+ countries & territories

Perfect for gifts, décor, and cultural essentials.

✔ Use the MyUS Buying Assistant for items that can’t be purchased directly

Paste a link—MyUS buys it for you.

Celebrate Your Traditions—From Anywhere in the World

Whether your holidays include St. Nicholas boots, Hanukkah lights, Filipino parols, Mexican piñatas, or Christmas crackers, MyUS connects you to the items that complete your traditions.

Shop globally. Celebrate locally.

Let MyUS deliver the magic of the season to your home—wherever you are.

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