Find out how associates around the globe celebrate the season.
When we think about Christmas, certain things spring to mind. For many, it might be a man in a red coat, twinkle lights, gifts under a tree, stockings, or religious services. While these are staples in many places, there are even more customs and traditions for celebrating the holiday all around the world — and associates have been hard at work to make sure customers and members have the products they need to bring their favorite traditions to life.
Join us as we take a little tour across the globe to explore some of the fun festivities. What better way to get into the spirit?
Central America
Throughout Central America, Christmas is a time for family, religious observances and vibrant celebrations. Families come together to celebrate the birth of Jesus at "Misa de Gallo" (Midnight Mass) on Christmas Eve. Afterward, festivities continue with a family meal, often featuring treats like tamales and “rompope,” an eggnog-like drink.
Another cherished tradition in many Central American communities is “Las Posadas,” (meaning “the inns”) which is a reenactment of Mary and Joseph's search for shelter.
“People gather in groups, singing carols as they go from house to house, asking for ‘posada,’ or shelter, in a symbolic gesture that leads to a joyful celebration with food, music and fellowship,” says Mariela Arroyo, a Walmart Central America associate. “These traditions, filled with spirituality and joy, help bring the community together to celebrate the season.”
Mariela explains that in addition to stocking all the products customers need during the holiday, like toys, tamales ingredients and Christmas baskets packed with essentials, Walmart in Central America also organizes community initiatives to support local charities. “We’re ensuring that the spirit of giving and helping those in need is part of the season’s celebrations,” she says.
In Mexico, Christmas festivities spill over into the new year with “Día de los Reyes” (Three Kings Day), honoring the Three Wise Men. Celebrated on Jan. 6, Three Kings Day in Mexico isn’t complete without Rosca de Reyes, known as Kings Bread.
This sweet bread is soft, buttery and garnished with red and green candied cherries, guava strips or quince paste and a streusel-like topping. The bread is traditionally made in an oval shape with a doll figure representing baby Jesus baked inside.
“Each family member cuts a piece of the Rosca, and the lucky person who finds the figure must host a gathering with family and friends on February 2, Candelaria’s Day, which honors the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus,” says Walmart Mexico (Walmex) associate Alberto Martinez.
To help the community celebrate, continues Alberto, Walmex keeps the best Roscas de Reyes stocked in the bakery at stores and clubs.
Another Dia de los Reyes tradition takes place on Jan. 5. Each year, children write a letter to the Three Wise Men asking for toys or clothes. They place a shoe under the Christmas tree or near the Nativity scene for the Magi to leave gifts for them, keeping alive the magic of a new beginning, says Alberto.
Walmex associates help with this magic with Juguetirama and Juguetilandia, Toyrama and Toyland, in Bodega Aurrera and Supercenter locations, which offer the widest assortment of toys — from board games to bicycles and skates to video games.
India
In India, Christmastime is marked by “melas,” or fairs, across the country featuring local artisans, delicacies and games. They begin a few days ahead of Christmas and continue into the first week of January. For Flipkart associate Sonia Parveen, the season is all about time with family, food and decorations.
“I enjoy baking fruit cakes for family and friends and decorating the Christmas tree and house with lots and lots of fairy lights,” she says. “On Christmas Eve, I go to Park Street, a popular location in Kolkata, to see the decorations and then go to dinner with my family.”
Flipkart kicked off the holiday season with Big Billion Days in September and will continue featuring festive deals on holiday must-haves through the end of the year.
Associates at PhonePe have even more to celebrate when Christmastime comes around because December marks PhonePe’s anniversary. On Dec. 19, PhonePe will host Unwind — an event to commemorate the company’s 9th anniversary. The day will include activities such as a white elephant gift exchange, while the cafeteria will feature Christmas-themed decorations and offer a special lunch for all PhonePe-rs.
Continuing with its initiative to source $10 billion annually from India by 2027, Walmart's holiday collection in the U.S. also features high-quality seasonal decor, party wear, gifts, accessories and more from local businesses and entrepreneurs across India.
Canada
Our neighbors to the north have a charming tradition popular in Newfoundland, Canada: Mummering. People disguise themselves in old clothes and visit homes in their community, dancing and making merry, only revealing their identities if their hosts guess correctly.
This holiday season, Walmart Canada enlisted the help of their own holiday elf, associate Stefan, the star of Walmart Canada’s holiday commercial.
United States
Customers in the U.S. can make their Christmas mornings magical — and more sustainable — with help from suppliers all around the globe. Polygroup, for example, is the world’s #1 producer of artificial Christmas trees and launched the first-to-market tree made of PET (a kind of recyclable plastic) tree tips, exclusive to Walmart.
Everstar’s Christmas lights have been a Walmart go-to for nearly half a century! But they don’t just add holiday cheer to your tree. Everstar helped save 324 million metric tons of CO2 emissions through Project Gigaton, so you can trim your tree and help make the world a little greener.
So, whether you’re eagerly awaiting Sinterklaas in South Africa, making plans for Boxing Day in the UK or sipping a “cola de mono” in Chile, we wish you a very Merry Christmas!
