Bring out those Christmas carols books, let's recite them once again. One of the best things about India is its varied cultures and ethnic groups. All festivals in India are celebrated with great joy and gusto. While Diwali, Navratri are some of the popular festivals, Christmas is no less. There is a considerable population of Christians in India who celebrate Christmas with their own rituals and Christmas traditions in India.

Non-Christians too like to celebrate Christmas with the same passion. After all, Christmas is a festival of love and brotherhood and all belief in the spirit of Christmas.

Like in all countries, Christmas in India is celebrated on December 25^th. The preparations begin days ahead, with many homes decked up with illuminating lights, lanterns, and stores packed with exclusive gifts, Christmas trees, decorations.

Here are some ways how Christmas is celebrated in India.

1. Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve

On the night of December 24, all members of Christian families visit their local churches to attend the midnight mass. Local churches conduct special services and families grace the occasion wearing new clothes to take part in the special prayer service.

The Christmas celebrations in India and prayers are usually carried out till early morning the next day. The churches are tastefully decorated with flowers and candles to mark the birth the Jesus Christ. People indulge in friendly exchanges and share food prepared by them.

Midnight Mass at a Church during Christmas in India

Midnight Mass - Big Christmas tradition in India

Church in Goa decorated during Christmas celebrations in India

2. Christmas Crib

The crib is decorated by different households to depict the birth scene of Jesus Christ. In Goa, there are live cribs in different parts of the town and most of the people in other parts of India use ceramic displays to enact the manger scene of Christ’s birth. From Mother Mary bearing the child, Joseph, the animals and the shepherds, attention to detail is given and the crib is done perfectly.

Crib Display at the Church of Mangalore, India

Crib Decorations at Homes in India

Christmas Crib Dolls for Sale

3. Christmas Decorations

Christmas is a festival of light and inevitably, lights are the prominent part of Christmas decorations in India. People in southern states illuminate their home with small lamps and decorate their house with lights, lanterns, Christmas star. The Christmas star is used to symbolize the star the led the shepherds to the manger, where Jesus was born.

Most homes in India use plastic Christmas trees and decorate them with ornate lights, silver bells and more, to make it look amazing. Stockings are also hung, just in case Santa Claus shows up with gifts for children.

The Christmas Star

Christmas Decorations at a Home in India

4. Christmas Food

What is any festival without special food to celebrate it! During, Christmas the season of love, sweets are distributed to near and dear ones. Christmas begins in the kitchen well in advance, in order to prepare the various delicacies. The smell of fresh plum cakes, Marzipan, Rose cookies and other tasty treats mark the start of Christmas in India.

Christmas dinner is not complete without a glass of homemade sweet grape wine in Kerala. It is a Christmas tradition in India, while some sought to store bought wines, a few still make the wines at home. The preparations of making wine start months in advance and the tropical weather in Kerala is ideal for fermentation and wine making.

Delectable Variety of Christmas Food in India

The Classic Christmas Plum Cake

Homemade Wine Sweeten Christmas in India

5. Christmas Shopping

This the festival of giving. While shopping for self is also important, buying gifts for loved ones is a must. During this festival of love, people enjoy by giving gifts and sharing the joy with one and all.

Also, donations of gifts are made to the underprivileged, in order to spread joy. The smallest gift can make a person feel special and Christmas is just a perfect occasion for gifting.

All the shops are stocked with several gift items and seasonal specials during Christmas time in India. Enjoy the shopping season and indulge in a great shopping spree.

Indulge in a Shopping Spree During Christmas

Cheerful Christmas Decorations at a Mall in India

Brisk Shopping ahead of Christmas in Mumbai, India

6. The Day of Christmas

After the long night at Church for the midnight mass of Christmas eve, Christmas morning usually starts late. It is the time to be with family, friends and loved ones. Families have their lunch together and enjoy the day with a lot of merry making with near and dear ones.

Children open their gifts and adults make sure their guests feel welcome. Christmas day in India is celebrated with great joy and marks the start of holiday season leading up to the new year at the end of the month.

Children all set to open their Christmas gifts

Christmas Feast in India - Special luncheon with family and friends

The Joy of Giving

7. Carol Singing

In certain parts of India, especially in Goa, special choir groups go from home to home, singing various Christmas carols to enlighten the spirit of Christmas. Several events of carol singing are also held around Christmas time in different cities of India.

The choir is organised by the church and the practise for singing begins well in advance before the onset of Christmas season. Christmas carols are also sung before the mass begins and all enjoy listening to them.

Carol Singing by a Group of People

Children spreading the spirit of Christmas by singing carols

Ringing in Christmas with Carol Singing Event

8. Christmas Parties

Christmas parties mark the launch of the holiday season and the beginning of the new year celebration in India. Several bars and hotels host Christmas parties with live concerts to celebrate the festive mood of Christmas.

Also, restaurants in many cities serve Christmas lunch and dinner with special menus. The malls and shopping centers are decorated with colorful lights and Christmas trees along with special fun-filled activities. Santa Claus makes his presence in several shops to attract children.

Restaurants in India- Special Christmas dinner with Exquisite Decorations

Christmas Party in Goa, India

Beach Parties

From decorated Xmas trees, shops and exuberant lights, a delectable variety of cakes and pudding, colorful candles, beautiful gifts and enthusiast Santa Claus - Christmas celebration in India is truly the most wonderful time of the year. Even though India does not celebrate Christmas like the West, they do have their own style of celebrating.

Christmas in India is not just restricted to Christians alone, people belonging to various communities participate in the festival with immense joy.

The Joy of Christmas in India

The spirit of Christmas in India is untainted with utmost love, grace, joy of giving and is celebrated with great zeal. Christmas spirit takes over and spreads joy to all hearts. HO.HO.HO. Merry Christmas!