BBQs and KFC : Here's what people in 10 different countries eat on Christmas Day

Reindeer meat is a favourite in one country.

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CHRISTMAS CAN MEAN a lot of different things to different people across the world – but by and large the food around the Christmas meal is an important part of many traditions.

And while you might find it hard to think about eating anything other than turkey and ham for the big day, the meal varies greatly across the world, with KFC even getting in on the action.

Here’s a quick look at when Christmas dinner means in ten countries:

Germany

Germans often serve fruity Stollen cake, along with mulled wine called Gluehwein. Stollen is traditionally baked to have a hump, symbolizing the humps of the camels that carried the wise men to see Jesus.

shutterstock_14401288 Shutterstock / Monkey Business Images Shutterstock / Monkey Business Images / Monkey Business Images

France

France serves seafood for Christmas, during the traditional Le Réveillon celebration. Meals usually feature lobster, oysters, and foie gras.

shutterstock_493884562 Shutterstock / Ekaterina Pokrovsky Shutterstock / Ekaterina Pokrovsky / Ekaterina Pokrovsky

Sweden

In Sweden, a rice pudding, or Risgrynsgröt, is served during Christmas time. One of the bowls will have an almond submerged in its center, and the lucky one who gets the almond receives good luck for the rest of the year.

shutterstock_238375702 Shutterstock / Andreas Argirakis Shutterstock / Andreas Argirakis / Andreas Argirakis

Australia

It’s summer in Australia, so residents have a Christmas barbecue, cooking turkey and lamb. They also eat grilled prawns in a longstanding tradition called “shrimp on the barbie.”

shutterstock_1046801 Shutterstock / Nic Neish Shutterstock / Nic Neish / Nic Neish

Egypt

Egyptian Christians keep vegan on the three days before Christmas. A main staple during this time is Kushari, a macaroni, rice, and lentils dish, which is topped with tomato-vinegar sauce.

shutterstock_297262304 Shutterstock / koss13 Shutterstock / koss13 / koss13

India

Christians in India celebrate the holiday by eating traditional Biryani, or curry, dishes. To end the meal, they often eat kheer, a sweet and milky pudding.

shutterstock_313126232 Shutterstock / vm2002 Shutterstock / vm2002 / vm2002

Iceland

Promptly at 6pm every Christmas Eve, Icelandic people sit down to a massive meal of cooked meats, including reindeer meat.

shutterstock_269257244 Shutterstock / Fanfo Shutterstock / Fanfo / Fanfo

Portugal

The Portuguese are famous for their dried and salted cod, and Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a traditional plate of the fish, along with cabbage, eggs, and potatoes, also boiled.

shutterstock_513795088 Shutterstock / Fanfo Shutterstock / Fanfo / Fanfo

Finland

In Finland, people sit down to a Christmas “Joulupöytä,” a massive smorgasbord of food, featuring ham, bread, fish, various casseroles and vegetables, and mulled wine.

shutterstock_351615440 Shutterstock / Jarvna Shutterstock / Jarvna / Jarvna