For most of us here in the UK, Christmas dinner time on the 25^th December is a feast to look forward to.

We gather our nearest and dearest around the dining table, and tuck into a banquet usually consisting of turkey and all the trimmings. Turkey is also the festive dish of choice in the USA and Canada, but what do people in other countries eat?

Here, we take a whistle-stop tour around the globe to discover some of the world’s Christmas dinner traditions.

Australia

While we’re wrapped up against the cold, Australians enjoy Christmas in the baking heat. And while many Aussies do actually enjoy a traditional British inspired Christmas dinner, plenty of others fire up the barbecue and enjoy grilled meat and fish. For dessert, it’s a choice between Christmas pudding or Pavlova.

Italy

Back in Europe, the Italians celebrate Christmas with a very different meal. Served on Christmas Eve, The Feast of the Seven Fishes includes such dishes as fried eel, baked cod, deep fried calamari and scallops.

On Christmas Day itself, pasta dishes and meats are served.

Germany

Over in Germany, the roast of choice is goose. This is traditionally served with dumplings and red cabbage, along with a spiced kale stew known as Grünkohl. Legend has it that every German grandmother has her own special recipe for Grünkohl. Smoked sausage is also commonly seen on the German Christmas table.

For those with a sweet tooth, gingerbread and festive biscuits are available in abundance.

Norway

It might seem a little unappealing to us, but one of the Norwegian Christmas dinner traditions is… A steamed sheep’s head. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, the more conventional alternative is a dish called Pinnekjøtt, which consists of lamb ribs fried over a fire constructed of birch branches.

Sweden

Norway’s Scandinavian neighbour serves up yet another interesting variation of Christmas dinner. The star of the show is ham, which is boiled and glazed with eggs, breadcrumbs and mustard. It’s accompanied by fish, cured meats, cabbage, and mulled wine. Bread is also torn and dipped in ham broth.

Portugal

The Portuguese traditionally eat their festive dish on Christmas Eve. It’s a meal consisting of salt cod; a huge tradition in Portugal, where they’re said to have a different recipe for every day of the year. The cod is soaked in fresh water for days before being cooked, and is served with boiled potatoes.

There are several sweets on the menu, including Finhoses (spiced dough balls), Formigos (a sticky combination of nuts, honey and raisins), or Bolo Rei (a fruit and nut cake).

The Philippines

Adorning Christmas tables in the Philippines is likely to be lechon; also known as suckling pig. This is slow roasted to provide soft meat with a crunchy skin.

Alternatively, a joint of ham can be served, encrusted with a sweet sugar or syrup glaze. Accompaniments include Edam cheese, noodles and sweet spaghetti. For dessert, fruit or rice dishes are traditional.

Honduras & Nicaragua

After the unwrapping of gifts, the people of Nicaragua and Honduras have another parcel to open at lunchtime. That’s because the traditional festive dish in these places is Nacatamales.

These parcels are filled with corn, chicken or pork, rice, and a range of spices, before being wrapped in plantain leaves and boiled for an hour or two.

Japan

Perhaps the most surprising Christmas dinner tradition of all takes place in Japan. Here, many of the locals eat… KFC. Yes, really.

It traces back over 40 years to 1974, when Western expats living in Japan were unable to find a turkey for their Christmas dinner. Instead, they opted for Kentucky Fried Chicken, and from there, Japan’s KFC ‘Christmas Chicken’ campaign was born. Now, it’s become such a tradition amongst Japanese families, that Christmas Day orders must be placed weeks before the big day!

What’s on your Christmas menu this year?

Above are just a few examples of how Christmas dinner varies around the world. If you’re fed up with turkey and fancy a change, why not break with tradition and take inspiration from around the globe?

With fish, meat, stews, and sweet delights to choose from, there’s bound to be something that suits your taste. Make it a Christmas dinner that nobody will forget in a hurry!

Whatever you choose to serve, make sure there are enough dining chairs for everyone gathered around the table.