Christmas in Indonesia

Although Indonesia is predominantly a Muslim country, it is a national holiday for Christmas in Indonesia. Although Christmas in Indonesia is not as commercialized as the western countries, you get to see the sale of turkeys, cranberry sauce, tropical pine trees, and other Christmas goodies in the western-oriented supermarket chains in Indonesia at the time of Christmas. Christmas cards and decorations are also available in the leading department stores during Christmas in Indonesia.

The Christian community in Indonesia organizes many holiday activities and charity functions during the festival. Christmas bazaars, which take place in November, are usually organized by larger women's groups in Indonesia. Meanwhile, the hotels in Indonesia welcome their western tourists with 'Merry Christmas' signs and by cater for the western tourists during Christmas by erecting beautifully decorated Christmas trees and by arranging some special functions for the Christmas feast. 'Merry Christmas' signs start appearing in the premises of these hotels during Christmas.

The Western festive mood can be captured in the shopping malls of Indonesia during Christmas. Huge Christmas trees decorated with tinkling ornaments and dazzling lights are set up in major cities of Indonesia. Indonesian men dressed like Santa Clause, sporting a long white beard, are often spotted in the shopping malls, giving out small Christmas gifts. Christmas fairs are also arranged by some of the leading restaurants of the country. It is warming to see people celebrating Christmas in Indonesia in harmony.