Some nations mark December 24 as Christmas Day.

Christmas is a time of joy and celebration for many, and while most people in the UK are eagerly waiting for Santa to arrive on December 25th, there are some who can't wait any longer and choose to open their presents on the 24th instead. But before you label them as impatient, let's take a closer look at this tradition.

Believe it or not, there are several countries around the world where Christmas is celebrated on December 24th. In Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, for example, it is customary to exchange gifts on the evening of the 24th. And it's not just presents that set these countries apart from the UK - they also have unique traditions like having a KFC dinner, a favorite in Japan.

So why do these countries celebrate Christmas a day earlier? Well, it's all rooted in history and religion. Many European and Latin American countries have a strong Christian influence and for them, December 25th is considered more of a religious holiday, spent resting and worshipping. This is why December 24th, Christmas Eve, is seen as the start of the celebrations.

But it's not just about the dates. In Germany, for example, the celebration on December 24th is known as Heiligabend Bescherung, which translates to "Christmas Eve gift giving." This tradition has been passed down for generations and even the British Royal Family follows it, as Prince Harry mentioned in his memoir, Spare. It is said that due to their German heritage, the royals have been exchanging gifts on Christmas Eve for over 200 years.

For the countries mentioned above, December 24th is a time for family gatherings, delicious food, and exchanging gifts. And the celebrations don't start until the afternoon, with shops staying open for last-minute shoppers until early afternoon. Some families choose to open their gifts at midnight, while others wait until the next morning.

But just because they celebrate on the 24th, it doesn't mean they don't acknowledge December 25th as Christmas Day. It's just observed differently in different parts of the world. In fact, December 25th is considered a Christian liturgical day, which starts and ends at sunset. So, according to this belief, Jesus' birthday ends at 5pm on the 25th, which is why many countries have their Christmas dinner on the 24th and breakfast on the 25th.

In the end, it all comes down to different traditions and beliefs. While some countries choose to celebrate on the 24th, others stick to the more traditional December 25th. But regardless of the date, the meaning and importance of Christmas remain the same. So let's embrace the diversity and spread joy and love, no matter which day we choose to celebrate.

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