Strictly speaking Christmas is not an Indian Festival. However over the decades and with the growth of the Indian Christian population, Christ�s birth is widely celebrated throughout India. Learn more about Desi Christmas Traditions here.

Christmas Traditions in India

Hi Preena:

Yes, I had wondered about this subject as I see so much on TV - how certain cultures will not allow a different way of worship.

Folks just don't realize sometimes how fortunate they are in the USA to be able to worship their way - of course within certain boundaries.

Hey Angela,
I don't get you. What do you mean by 'you wondered about this subject'. Preena here never talked about people in India not being able to worship as they like. In fact, she mentioned the different way in which Christmas is celebrated here.

Hi Angela,

I think you got me wrong. In India we have total religious freedom and there are several denominations and a growing christian population. But since Christmas is not an Indian festival, people here have been celebrating in their own style. You might be surprised to know that even some Hindus celebrate christmas:)

It is a wonderful article, Preena. I like the tradition of exchanging sweets and food on Christmas Day. We do that here in our family by having a "Cookie Exchange". The first Sunday in December I have a Christmas Tea for all the women in the family. We each bake our special cookies and bring from one to six dozen cookies to the tea. We can then take home the same amount of cookies we brought by exchanging with others.

The Casuarina tree must be lovely when decorated. The wispy branches are so pretty. We have a belief that if there is a bird nest in the tree it will bring good luck for the coming year.

Do you make your own ornaments for the tree? I make a new Angel for my tree every year.

I love learning about traditions in other countries. I did not see any references to lack of religious freedom. If one reads your article, it is quite clear what it is about.

Very well done and interesting article.

LOL guys, I did not say Preena said anything - I was commenting from my own "personal" take from years of watching TV.

Sorry if I misled anyone.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

Everyone okay now?

Hope so, never my intention to insult or offend anyone.

Talk soon...

Hi Phyllis!

I was excited to read about your Cookie exchange tradition. We make loads of sweets for Christmas and give them away to family and friends and get back loads of goodies. It is fun.

The casuarina tree does look lovely especially with lights on. I didn't know that a nest on a tree brings good luck.

I do make ornaments for the tree each year. This year I made Christmas balls using sea urchins I picked up in the beach. It was loads of fun.

Do hope you had a lovely time over the holidays. I am so glad you enjoyed reading Indian Christmas traditions!

Preena -

An awesome article with a lot of fascinating detail! I like that there is not a mad rush for gifts in India. I think a lot of Christmas in the US has gotten lost in commercialism and it would be great if the holiday was more about sharing food and time together.

Dear Lisa,

I am so glad you liked knowing about Christmas traditions in India. Yes for us Indians, Christmas and all other festivals is about shared time along with traditional food and other festivities.