Q. What's Christmas called in Turkey? Being a Muslim country, Christmas isn't celebrated in Turkey. But Santa Claus is termed Noel Baba in Turkish, who is believed to bring gifts on New Year's eve in Turkey.
The short answer is; Turkey doesn't celebrate Christmas, however, New Year's Eve is widely celebrated. Big cities usually decorate the streets with lights and shopping malls offer sale and discounts throughout the festive season.
On New Year's Eve, Turkish people exchange gifts, have family dinners, play games, and Santa – Noel Baba to Turkish people – visits kids. The Christian community in Turkey, however, celebrates Christmas; they go to churches, exchange gifts, and do everything you would do on Christmas day.
Decorations
Turkish Christmas decorations are subtle and there are ample of Christmas activities for kids in Turkey. Starting mid-December, the streets of Turkey are decorated just the way how Western countries are. One can find plenty of Christmas trees, lights and Santa Claus.
Santa Claus is called 'Noel Baba' to Turkish children, which translates into Father Christmas. Santa Claus is known to have Turkish roots; he can be traced back to 280A. D in Patara near Myra. In Turkey, Noel Baba is expected to leave his gifts under a pine tree called New Year tree for New Year's Eve.
Hanuka Bayramınız kutlu olsun! Merry Christmas! Mutlu Noeller!
Turkeys are slaughtered between nine and 21 weeks old but the natural lifespan of a turkey is 10 years.
More than 90% of the Turkish population is muslim, whom are not allowed to eat pork for religious reasons. Pigmeat in Turkey is sold to ethnic minorities like Greeks, ex-patriots and tourists. In addition, pork is increasingly popular in secular high society.
Today, many countries have evolved their own Christmassy cuisine too. In Poland, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, they fry a carp as an auspicious, meat-free festive dish. In South Africa, Christmas means malva pudding – a sponge cake drizzled with buttery cream sauce.
Decorations hung up on the poles in the shape of stars or Christmas trees, statues, and other structures covered in colorful lights, and reindeer shaped crowns or Santa Claus' hats in shop windows. The streets feel as if the city is full with Christmas spirit…
The Turkish/Nordmann Firs are the European Christmas Trees of choice due to their exquisite beauty, sturdy branches, deep green color, softer foliage & excellent needle retention.
Today, the centrepiece of the traditional British Christmas dinner is the turkey. But turkey is actually a relatively new addition to the Christmas menu, with the bird only introduced to the UK (from its native home in the Americas) in the 1500s.
History of the Turkish New Year tree
A Turkish New Year tree, in Turkish "Yılbaşı Ağacı", looks the same as a Christmas tree with Christmas ornaments. It is called a New Year tree because it is specific to the New Year and, with about 95% of Turkey's population Muslim, most Turks do not celebrate Christmas.
Australians often celebrate Christmas Day by enjoying a Christmas lunch or dinner with their closest family and friends. The meal usually consists of a selection of hot and cold dishes, including fresh seafood.
With a majority Muslim population, the birth of Jesus is not celebrated. However, many neighborhoods in Istanbul, with a Christian or more European population, decorate their facades with Christmas decorations.
Turkey is a secular country, and even though the majority of the Turkish population is Muslim, the consumption of alcohol both in public and in private is very common. Though due to this fact, issues such as alcohol addiction (alcoholism), and other serious issues caused by this factor are a problem in the country.
Although Turkey is a Muslim-majority country, it has a rich drinking culture and produces a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine and raki, the country's signature spirit. Drinking became legal soon after the Republic of Turkey was established in 1923.
Lamb is the most popular type of meat used in Turkish food. When someone says “meat” in Turkey, more often than not they're referring to lamb. Turkish people eat a lot of lamb so you'll find it in many meat dishes like kebabs, kofte, lahmacun, pide, ragout, and casserole.
It's easy to call a baby turkey by the same name as a baby chicken. But a baby turkey is actually called a poult.
The Christmas turkey tradition can be traced back to Henry VIII, who decided to make the bird a staple for the festive day. After the British Empire discovered the New World (that's the Americas) an influx of gobble-gobbles hit Britain.
Both genders are sold commercially. A turkey's age is the biggest factor in how it tastes. Since old females have tough meat, the hens are usually eaten when they are young and small. Conversely, older males are preferred to younger ones because younger ones generally have stringy meat.
Earlier, Zimbabwean Islamic scholar Mufti Menk had stated that Muslims need not forcefully wish Merry Christmas and instead should say “Wa Alaikum as-salam” if someone wishes them Merry Christmas.
People commonly greet each other by saying “Nasilsiniz” (How are you?) or “Merhaba” (Hello). The Islamic greeting is “Asalamu alaykum” (Peace be upon you). People are often addressed by their first name followed with “Bey” for men and “Hanim” for women. For example, “Yusuf Bey” and “Elif Hanim”.