Counting Down Sleeps To Christmas: The Exciting Festive Tradition

As of February 2025, there are 324 to 326 days, or about 46 weeks, until Christmas Day 2025. That's a lot of sleeps!

Christmas traditions around the world

There are 324 days, 325 sleeps, or 27,993,331 seconds until Christmas Day 2025. Here are some Christmas traditions from around the world to get you in the festive spirit!

Colombia

On December 7, Colombians honour Mary, the mother of Jesus, and the Feast of the Immaculate Conception with the Noche de las Velitas (Night of the Little Candles). This enchanting celebration marks the start of the Christmas season, with people lighting up their homes and streets with millions of white and coloured candles in patterned paper lanterns.

Ethiopia

As many Ethiopians believe that the three wise men were Ethiopian, Christmas is a big deal. They follow the Julian calendar, so Christmas, known as Ganna or Genna, falls on January 7. People dress in white, often wearing a netela, a thin white cotton scarf with brightly coloured stripes.

France

In France, Christmas festivities culminate on January 6, the Epiphany, which celebrates the Three Magi's visit to baby Jesus. The French eat a flaky dessert called Galette des Rois (king cake), with a paper crown. Inside the cake hides a ceramic trinket, and whoever gets the slice with it gets to wear the crown and be treated like royalty for the day.

Greenland

Greenlanders kick off the Christmas season by lighting orange Christmas stars in their windows. The stars are made of folded paper and shine with a beautiful golden and orange glow. On December 24, which is dedicated to children, families put up their own Christmas decorations, including lighting their stars.

Guatemala

Guatemalans practice a Christmas ritual unique to their country. On December 7, the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, they gather in towns and villages for La Quema del Diablo (Burning of the Devil). They believe that burning an effigy of the devil will cleanse their homes of the previous year's evils and misfortunes.

Iceland

In Icelandic folklore, there is no Santa Claus, but there is Grýla, a child-eating ogress, her lazy troll husband, and their 13 mischievous children, the Yule Lads. Each Yule Lad is named for his tendencies, like Spoon Licker or Sausage Swiper, and they leave small gifts or rotten potatoes for naughty children.

How to keep kids entertained on Christmas Eve

There are lots of ways to keep children entertained on Christmas Eve! Here are some ideas to make the day before Christmas a little less stressful and a lot more fun:

Games and Activities

Christmas Eve is the perfect time to play games as a family. You could try a board game, or put a festive twist on a classic party game. How about Christmas Charades, Santa Says (like Simon Says), Christmas Pairs, Musical Statues, or Sleeping Reindeers (Sleeping Lions)?

If you're looking for something more active, you could try a Christmas scavenger hunt or treasure hunt, either indoors or outdoors. You could even turn your Christmas Eve walk into an outdoor quest with Geocaching.

Baking

Baking Christmas treats is another fun way to keep kids entertained and can be done at home or as part of a wider experience. You could bake gingerbread, cookies, or cakes, and decorate them with festive icing and sprinkles. This can also be a great way to get kids to unwind before bed, as too much sugar can negatively affect sleep.

Arts and Crafts

Christmas crafts are always a good idea. You could make your own gift cards, gift wrap, or gift tags, or try wreath-making, lantern-making, or painting.

Screen Time

While it's best to limit screen time before bed, it can be a lifesaver for parents, especially during the busy Christmas period. You could try a virtual Christmas party, like the Camp Bestival Christmas Party, or a virtual Santa visit. There are also plenty of Christmas movies and TV shows to enjoy as a family.

Reading

Reading is great for inducing sleep and can help distract kids who are excited about the big day. It's also beneficial for improving concentration and teaching valuable skills. Why not make it a festive-themed bedtime story?

Routines

It's important to try and stick to your child's bedtime routine, even on Christmas Eve. A bath at a specific time can help your child feel sleepy before bed, and putting on new pyjamas can be a fun way to keep them in a routine while making it feel exciting!

Christmas dinner across the globe

Christmas is a time for celebration, and at the heart of it is a feast shared with family and friends. While some people opt for a traditional turkey roast, others choose to indulge in more unusual dishes, like tamales or even KFC! Here is a glimpse into how Christmas dinner is celebrated across the globe:

The United Kingdom

The British Christmas dinner is an elaborate affair, with plates piled high. The centrepiece is usually a roast turkey, accompanied by pigs in blankets, roast potatoes, stuffing, Brussels sprouts, and other vegetables. This is generously doused with gravy and served with cranberry sauce and bread sauce. For dessert, a Christmas pudding is a classic choice.

The United States

In the US, Christmas dinner is a hearty family meal. While Thanksgiving is traditionally when Americans indulge in roast turkey, for Christmas, they may opt for a glazed ham or ribs. Jewish families often eat Chinese food on Christmas Day. For dessert, a classic pumpkin pie or pecan pie is a popular choice.

Mexico

In Mexico, Christmas celebrations centre around tamales, made with corn dough and steamed in banana leaves or corn husks. Families often host tamaladas or tamale-making parties in the days leading up to Christmas. Other dishes vary by region but may include bacalao (salt cod), pozole (a traditional soup), and bunuelos (similar to mini doughnuts).

Germany

Germans typically roast duck, goose, or rabbit for Christmas dinner. This is served with sausage stuffing and potato dumplings, and red cabbage. For dessert, Stollen, a long, flat sweetened bread similar to fruit cake, is a beloved choice.

Japan

Christmas is not a public holiday in Japan, but many people still celebrate by exchanging gifts and spreading cheer. Due to a successful marketing campaign in the 1970s, KFC has become an unlikely Christmas tradition, with families flocking to the fast-food chain for their Christmas meal.

Australia

With Christmas falling during the summer, Australians often opt for a barbecue on the beach. Popular choices for the grill include steaks, chicken, and seafood like prawns and crayfish. Traditional northern hemisphere dishes like ham and turkey may also make an appearance, served cold alongside a generous serving of pavlova for dessert.

Philippines

In the Philippines, the main Christmas feast is the Noche Buena, held on Christmas Eve. This meal includes lechon (roasted pig), queso de bola (Edam cheese), pasta dishes, and fruit served with condensed milk or coconut cream. Tsokolate (hot chocolate) is another ubiquitous part of the Filipino Christmas feast.

With 324 days to go until Christmas 2025, there is plenty of time to plan and prepare for this global celebration. Whether it's a traditional roast or something more unusual, Christmas dinner is a time to indulge and create lasting memories with loved ones.

Christmas countdown clocks

Christmas is a time of excitement and celebration, and what better way to build the festive anticipation than with a Christmas countdown clock? These clocks offer a fun and visual way to track the days, or "sleeps", until the big day arrives. With a variety of options available, you can find the perfect one to suit your needs and add to the holiday cheer.

Countdown clocks are a popular way to build excitement for Christmas, and many options are available to purchase online. For example, Amazon offers a wide range of countdown clocks, from traditional wooden Advent calendars to digital displays with LED lights. Some clocks even feature Christmas characters like Santa Claus and his reindeer, adding to the festive cheer. With so many options, you can find one that suits your style and budget.

These clocks offer a fun and visual way to count down the days until Christmas. They often include additional features, such as a timer, multiple display formats (days, hours, minutes, and seconds), and even customisation options. Some clocks also double as decorative pieces, with festive designs that can be displayed on tables, walls, or mantles.

For those seeking a more interactive experience, websites like emailSanta.com offer online Christmas countdown clocks with additional games and activities. You can chat with Mrs Claus, write letters to Santa, and even watch Santa on his "Rudolph cam". These websites provide a fun and engaging way to count down the days, especially for children eager for Christmas morning.

Christmas trivia

As of February 2025, there are 324 to 326 sleeps until Christmas Day, which falls on Thursday, December 25, 2025.

Santa Claus has many names depending on where you're from. In Brazil, he's known as Papai Noel, in France, he's called Pere Noel, and in Turkey, they call him Noel Baba!

The largest Christmas tree ever recorded was a towering 221 ft high—probably taller than your house!

In the UK, people used to eat pig's head and mustard to kickstart the Christmas festivities. Thankfully, today, most people opt for a turkey dinner.

The Italians take their Christmas feast very seriously, with more than seven courses on the big day!

Santa and his reindeer are super-fast at delivering presents. According to clever scientists, Santa visits a whopping 822 homes per second. So, blink and you'll miss him!

Frequently asked questions