Christmas ham Facts for Kids

A traditional Swedish Christmas ham

A Christmas ham is a special ham often enjoyed during Christmas dinner in many parts of the world, especially in Northern Europe and countries where English is spoken. The way it's prepared can be very different depending on where you are.

Long ago, people in ancient Germanic cultures had a tradition of sacrificing a wild boar to their god Freyr during harvest festivals. This was a way to celebrate and give thanks. Over time, as Christianity spread, this tradition changed. Eating ham became a part of Christmas celebrations, often linked to St Stephen's Day.

Christmas Ham Around the World
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Christmas Ham Around the World

Swedish Christmas Ham

In Sweden, the Christmas ham is a very important part of the "julbord" (pronounced "yule-board"). A julbord is a big buffet with many different dishes served during Christmas.

The Swedish Christmas ham is usually a cured ham. It is first boiled or baked until it's tender. Then, it gets a special coating made from egg, breadcrumbs, and mustard. This coating is browned in the oven, making the ham look delicious and festive.

American Christmas Ham

In the United States, Christmas ham is also very popular. How it's made can vary a lot by region or family traditions.

For example, in southern Maryland, especially in St. Mary's County, people enjoy "stuffed ham". This ham is filled with green vegetables like kale and cabbage. This tradition has been around for at least 200 years! Similar stuffed hams are sometimes made in Kentucky.

Another popular way to prepare ham in the US South is with a sweet brown sugar glaze. Americans buy a huge amount of ham, about 318 million pounds, during the holiday season. This makes it as popular as Christmas turkey!

Australian Christmas Ham

A Finnish Christmas ham

In Australia, ham is a traditional dish for Christmas Day. It's cooked and served in many different ways across the country. Many families add their own special ingredients, making it a unique part of their Christmas meal.

Since Christmas in Australia happens at the start of summer, many people don't serve a hot roast dinner. Instead, they often enjoy cold turkey, ham, seafood, and salads. Any leftover Christmas ham is often frozen. People use it later to make tasty soups and other dishes when the summer heat is gone.

Filipino Christmas Ham

In the Philippines and among Filipino-Americans, a special ham is prepared for Christmas. It is called hamón, which comes from the Spanish word for "ham," jamón.

Sometimes, the hamón is soaked in kumquat and lime juice. This gives it a unique, tangy flavor. It's important not to confuse hamón with hamonado. While hamonado is another Filipino dish that can include pork and is also served around Christmas, it's prepared differently.