December can be a wonderful time. Just before the new year, the month is alive with holiday festivities and preparations. People begin setting new goals for the upcoming year, reflect on the past year, and come together with families, friends, or other like minded individuals. In the United States there are many holidays during the month that are celebrated by many different people in many different ways.
In Japan, the holiday season is also a busy and festive time. As a whole, winter is more celebrated throughout December than say one specific holiday. There are many winter illumination events in multiple places that make the place glitter and glow with many little lights. The lit up streets and parks create a whimiscal and very romantic atmosphere, depending on who you're with.
Christmas is celebrated in Japan, but the traditions are far different than that of Western ones. December 25th is recognized more as a couples day than a day for family. Couples can be seen out and about on romantic dates, or strolling around enjoying all of the winter illuminations. That's not to say that families don't also enjoy the day's festivities as well. However, instead of fancy dinners, KFC chicken is customarily enjoyed on that day. The reason for this really has a lot to do with some clever marketing strategies on KFCs part in the beginning, but now it is a tradition for many. KFC is associated with Christmas Day. Then a Christmas cake is usually brought out to be enjoyed. The Christmas cake is usually pre-ordered as they sell out very quickly. The cakes tend to be fairly pricey, but it is considered a tradition that is worth it to be had on Christmas Day. Usually the cakes are strawberry shortcake, but it's not always the case. They now have all kinds in all sorts of shapes and flavors!
While simple meals and extravagant cakes are the norm for December 25th, the elaborate meals are usually reserved for the New Year's. New Year's Eve traditions are also very many. Usually people clean their houses and surroundings in preparation of starting new. Meals that are eaten are traditional, with each dish carrying a specific meaning. There are many traditions that fall within New Year's time from the food that's eaten, to the customs that are carried out. Many people enjoy certain foods on New Year's Eve and watch a popular television show where people sing. The next day, many people go out to get a fukurobukuro (a surprise gift bag) and also visit a shrine.
Anecdotally, in my Japanese family, the lead up to New Year's Eve and Day was incredibly busy. We would rush to get things in order and all cleaned up, having days of deep cleaning where we put wipe down floors and blinds, to the vacuuming the dust under our refrigerator. Come New Year's evening, we were all about taking it easy, just relaxing and eating some toshikoshi soba and ozouni. Kids would get otoshidamas, which were envelopes with money in it, and we would talk about future goals.
What people do depends on households, but there are some traditions that are very common practice. You can read about those New Year's traditions in more detail below:
Japanese New Year's Food
Japanese New Year's Traditions
Hatsuhinode and Hatsyume
Hatsumode
Otoshidama and Kakizome
Osechi, Otoso, and Kagami Mochi
Ozouni
Toshikoshi Soba
Japanese New Year's Games
12/31 Joya no Kane
Fukurobukuro at Hatsuuri