Christmas traditions in South Africa

                                               Although for many of the African countries Christmas comes during the summer months, accompanied by plenty of sun and colorful flowers in full bloom, the spirit of Christmas on this continent continues being the same. All African countries share the tradition global reuniting families. 

Here, many families are separated for much of the year, as parents and grandparents live in villages remote, while the younger generation is usually far from home in towns and cities, and this special time of year brings them all together. 

Christmas celebrations in South Africa begin with gifts on Christmas morning, which is December 25, followed by a traditional Christmas dinner or braai in the afternoon. The South Africans usually have dinner on Christmas Day (December 25) and do not on Christmas Eve (December 24). The tree is decorated a few days before the arrival of St. Nicholas and the 'South African Christmas tree' is used, consisting of wires and ornamented with indigenous symbols, using other beliefs of the country, such as Zulu dolls and Ndebeles symbols.