Christmas in South Africa: traditions, food and facts
Christmas in South Africa makes one think of long sunny days by the pool, tables groaning with food, and great company. Fairy lights twinkle in the dark on Christmas Eve, and you can feel the excitement in the air.
South African Christmas traditions have a lot in common with those in Britain. Many people have a big dinner on Christmas eve, then spend the next day eating leftovers and relaxing. More and more, however, the traditions are shifting, and often people simply make up their own.
Interested to find out more about some South African Christmas facts, and the diverse and colourful ways that they celebrate their favourite holiday? Read our guide to learn more.
WorldRemit Content Team
• 7 mins read • Updated
When is Christmas in South Africa?
Christmas in South Africa falls slap bang in the middle of summer. Across the country the temperatures are high, the sun is shining, and the kids are splashing in the pool. Just because it's bright and sunny doesn't mean that they skimp on the decorations though. Big trees twinkle with lights that reflect off the many baubles and pieces of tinsel. The trees are usually decorated two weeks or so before the big day, but those with young kids often find their trees up as early as the first of December - or even late November.
Many South Africans set aside a night to decorate their house. It’s not just the tree that has to go up, every available surface needs to be dressed in shiny tinsel of all colours, and fairy lights need to be strung both outside and in. The tree gets the lion’s share of the decorations though, with baubles and tinsel, and finishing off with a set of blinking multi-coloured stars. This is one of the most-loved Christmas traditions in South Africa.
Christmas Eve is a time for carols, flaming fruit pudding, and waiting for Santa. Midnight church services and special shows like Carols by Candlelight are hosted in many cities. All over the country, little kids try to stay awake to listen for the jingle of bells and thump on the roof that heralds the reindeer. Cookies and milk are left out for Santa, sometimes with a carrot for Rudolf. Exhausted from the excitement, they eventually fall asleep. As soon as the soft snores can be heard, equally exhausted parents sneak to the tree to lay out the presents from Father Christmas (the South African name for Santa). And, of course, to eat the cookies, drink the milk, and pretend to chew on the carrots.
The next day, the 25th of December, families are woken country-wide by squeals of excitement, and shouts of “Wake up wake up! It’s Christmas!” in many different languages. People gather under the tree to unwrap gaudily dressed gifts and share their love for each other. Church services are held in the morning with many dressed in traditional attires.
Families travel to be with their loved ones, arriving with gifts of food and drink. Tables are laid, smiles and laughter ring out and everyone sits down to a delicious feast. Turkey, gammon, yellow rice, roast potatoes, pap porridge, yam paste, okra stew, mince pies, and plum pudding are just some of the popular dishes prepared for the day.
For many, Christmas Day is a time of large family gatherings, with way too much food and lively conversation. Music, dancing, and talking can carry on long into the night, as some family members may not have seen each other since last Christmas.
The day after Christmas, dubbed Boxing Day, is another tradition. Friends who have spent the day before with families get together for more food, more swimming, and more great company. Usually, Christmas lunch leftovers are served, along with cold meats like polony, and huge bowls of potato salad. Finally, bellies full, eyelids drooping, families return home for some much-needed rest until New Years Eve.
Traditional Christmas celebrations in South Africa
Church services
These are a huge part of the Christmas celebration in South Africa. Across all cultures, people gather on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in churches, tents, buildings, and sacred spots all over the country. Nativity scenes and plays are popular, with children of all ages taking part.
Braais or shisa nyamas
Although feasting is a Christmas tradition all over the world, South Africans often put a unique spin on it. Meat cooked over an open fire is paired with cold sides like creamy potato salad, chakalaka, and various salads.
Christmas crackers
South Africans love Christmas crackers. No table setting is complete without them. They love the silly hats, the corny jokes, the bangs, and the little surprise in the middle. It’s often difficult to keep the crackers intact until the meal begins.
Flaming plum pudding
On Christmas Eve you will see some houses lit up by the blue glow of a flaming pudding. Brandy or another spirit alcohol is poured around the base, the cake is lit, and it is wheeled into the dining room amidst many “ooh’s” and “aah's”.
Sports games
Many people love to play sports games on Christmas Day afternoon. Cricket, soccer, and rugby are played among family members that still have some energy, while the rest watch and cheer their teams.
Christmas clothes
Not only are traditional clothes worn for church services, but, quite often, outfits are bought especially for the day. New threads, shoes, and even jewellery are proudly shown off to family members at gatherings.
Unique decorations
Family members, especially children, love to make unique homemade decorations for their trees. Baubles with photos of loved ones or favourite snacks adorn branches amongst shop-bought ones.
Home-made Christmas cakes
Grannies and gogos all across the country begin making their patented Christmas cakes as early as November. Often soaked in brandy and stuffed with fruit, these marvels are presented on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve.
Plastic trees
Most South Africans don't have access to real pine trees, but do have a wide variety of plastic versions to choose from. White, green, white and green, blue, and even gold trees, are bought in stores and erected in homes all over the country.
After lunch sleep
Across all cultures, the After Lunch Sleep is found in sitting rooms, under trees, in bomas, and on stoeps (wrap around verandas found in many old houses) - mostly carried out by dads and oupas who are just “resting their eyes”.
Traditional Christmas food in South Africa
Christmas isn't Christmas without a feast in South Africa.There are several traditional Christmas meals in South Africa served across different cultures. Of course, feeding hungry masses is not a cheap exercise. We did a study on the cost of food over the festive season and found that South Africans spend 23% of their budget on food.
Here are some of the dishes you’ll find on a Christmas table in South Africa:
Turkey: Originally from western Christmas traditions, the turkey is more popular than any other bird at Christmas time. Roasted in the oven and supplying days and days of leftovers, turkey is a favourite South African Christmas food.
Gammon: Another meat option, this smoked sweet pork cut is boiled and braised with a honey glaze and pineapple.
Seafood: If you are at the coast you will likely be served fresh fish and a variety of other seafood for Christmas lunch.
Stew: Many cultures serve some form of meat or okra stew, often in a big communal pot for everyone to enjoy.
Pap: Pap is a stiff maize porridge served with savoury sauces, perfect for mopping up gravy.
Yellow rice: Coloured with turmeric and studded with sweet raisins, this is a favourite among adults and children alike.
Malva pudding: A traditional South African Christmas dessert, this soft, rich, baked dessert is made with apricot jam, and served with cream or custard.
Trifle: Layered sponge, jelly, fruits, custard, and cream, and sometimes spiked with sherry, these towering marvels grace tables all over South Africa.
Plum or Fruit cake: Served hot or cold, and often homemade. Chocked full of dense, rich sponge and preserved fruit, this is a traditional Christmas cake in South Africa.
Christmas decorations in South Africa
South Africans love to decorate their houses for Christmas. Strings of lights adorn both outside and inside the house, and a tree with tinsel and baubles can be found in most living rooms. Shops begin to decorate as early as 1 November, as soon as Halloween is done. Tinsel and lights are hung on every available surface, and plastic pine decorations dangle from light fixtures in homes, shops, and venues. Every mall has a huge Christmas tree at its centre, and you can often find a Santa’s grotto complete with fake snow and a jolly man in a red suit.
Although many people carefully preserve their Christmas decorations for many years, buying new ones is a necessity every so often. On average, South Africans spend 35% of their budget on Christmas decorations. Decorations can be bought in most stores, ranging in price from cheap packets of baubles to expensive fake trees.
Santa Claus and Christmas gifts in South Africa
Santa Claus is not just an American concept. South Africans have adopted the idea from their European history, and many children lie awake waiting for Father Christmas to arrive. Although the jolly bearded man goes by many names, including Santa, Father Christmas, or Kersvader, the idea remains the same. Gifts magically appear under the Christmas tree sometime during the night, brought by a mysterious man who drives a sleigh drawn by reindeer.
Gifts are a big part of the Christmas spirit. Families and friends buy small tokens for each other, piling them up in colourful towers under the tree. Presents are opened on Christmas morning among close direct family, and later on, after lunch, amongst bigger groups. Typical gifts include toys for kids, jewellery for women, and cologne for men. Clothes, shoes, and gadgets are also popular, and often young kids enjoy the colourful wrapping and boxes more than the gifts themselves. On average, South Africans spend the biggest part of their budget on gifts, sometimes saving months in advance.
Traditional Christmas songs in South Africa
Over the festive session, Christmas carols are widely popular. You can hear them in every store, and on the lips of happy carolers on Christmas eve. Christmas songs in South Africa range from well-known anthems like 〝Silent Night〞 to lesser-known traditional songs like 〝Jesu Emmanual〞.
Some popular South African Christmas songs are:
How do you say Merry Christmas in South Africa?
South Africa has eleven different languages, so there are several ways to say Merry Christmas.
Afrikaans: Geseënde Kersfees
Zulu: UKhisimusi omuhle
Sesotho: Le be le keresemese e monate
Xhosa: Krismesi emnandi
In any language, learning how to say Merry Christmas in South Africa will be met with smiles and warm feelings.
Christmas in South Africa is a time of sun, smiles, love, and lots of food. We hope that you have enjoyed reading about how South Africans celebrate Christmas. If you want to know more about Christmas traditions around the World, and the cost of Christmas in different countries, visit our blog.
We wish you a Happy Christmas!
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