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.
