Holidays Around the Globe: Festive Menus & Winter Food Traditions
Published on: December 1, 2025
Category: Seasonal & Local, Traditions, Global Inspiration
Introduction
December isn't just about twinkling lights and cozy evenings—it’s also a celebration of cultural richness through food. Across the globe, families and communities gather around dishes that carry deep meaning, seasonal ingredients, and ancestral stories. This month, we're exploring the many ways food becomes a love language during winter holidays.
Global Holiday Flavours to Try
From sweet to savoury, December is a feast for the senses. Here are just a few international dishes that showcase the beautiful diversity of seasonal celebrations:
Germany – Stollen: A spiced fruit bread dusted with icing sugar
Italy – Feast of the Seven Fishes: A Christmas Eve seafood celebration
Mexico – Tamales: Corn dough wrapped in husks, filled with meats or cheeses
India – Murukku & Fruit Cake: Popular during Christian festivities like Christmas
Hannukah (Jewish tradition) – Latkes (potato pancakes) and Sufganiyot (jelly donuts)
Kwanzaa (Pan-African) – Vibrant spreads honouring African heritage with dishes like jollof rice or okra stew
Canadian Classics, Nova Scotia Style
Right here at home, December also brings warmth in the form of regional favourites:
Tourtière (French Canadian meat pie)
Roast turkey with wild blueberry sauce
Sweet potato mash with maple glaze
Homemade fruitcake with rum-soaked dried fruits
And of course, it wouldn’t be the holidays without oat cakes, molasses cookies, and festive punch at a Nova Scotian table.
Creative Catering Ideas for the Season
Planning a holiday event? Consider these inspired Sunflower Catering additions:
Build-Your-Own Tourtière Station
Holiday Charcuterie Boards with Global Bites
Mini Dessert Bars featuring global holiday sweets
Non-alcoholic Wassail or Mulled Cider Stations
Let your event reflect both tradition and flavourful fun!
A Season of Gratitude
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or simply the joy of the season, food plays a beautiful role in bringing people together. At Sunflower Catering, we are honoured to serve dishes that spark memories, nourish connection, and celebrate all the ways food tells our stories.
-Chantel
