If you’re lucky enough to be spending the December holidays in the beautiful Mediterranean isle of Malta, you’ll be treated to sunny weather, delicious traditional dishes and of course, the numerous cultural traditions that make up a genuine Maltese Christmas. Here are a few examples of the Christmas traditions you will experience while travelling in Malta:

Traditional Presepju

The majority of Maltese people are devout Catholics, and Christmas on the island is steeped in deep-seated religious traditions. Christmas cribs, known locally as presepju, are displayed in churches and homes, with clay figures or pasturi making up the Nativity scene. Malta’s Christmas cribs are intricately detailed works of art.

Christmas Eve Procession & Midnight Mass

The traditional procession on Christmas Eve has been popular since the 1920s; the procession route is adorned with lights and a life-size figure of the baby Jesus is carried at the front. Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve also plays a prominent role in a traditional Maltese Christmas celebration. The service includes Christmas carols and a reading of the Nativity story by a young boy or girl, aged between 7 and 10, instead of the priest or minister. This long-standing tradition, known as Priedka tat-Tifel or the Preaching of the Child, dates back as far as 1883.

Planting Grain

Five weeks before Christmas, Maltese families traditionally sow seeds and grains on dampened cotton buds and leave them to grow in dark corners of the home. The buds eventually produce grass-like shoots which are used to decorate the Christmas cribs.

Honey Rings & Chestnut Soup

Much of the festive Christmas menu in Malta was inspired by the island’s previous British rule, which means tourists will be treated to roast turkey (or sometimes a rooster) with vegetables, mouthwatering fruit-mince pies and good old Christmas puddings. There are also some traditional Maltese dishes to be tasted at Christmastime; sweet pastries known as Qaghag tal-Ghasel or “honey rings” are a popular festive dessert, while a hot chestnut and cocoa soup known as Imbuljuta tal-Qastan makes the perfect winter night-cap after a sumptuous Christmas dinner. Figs and deep-fried date rolls are also popular Maltese Christmas treats.

Oranges for the Queen

Another long-standing national tradition is to send Maltese oranges to the Queen of England as a Christmas gift. The tradition was first started by celebrated Anglo-Maltese journalist and politician Mabel Strickland, and was revived by Malta’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Joseph Zammit Tabona, and his wife Susan, in 2009. This year, six dozen oranges from Villa Parisio were presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in a beautifully hand-crafted wooden chest.

With so many fascinating traditions and beautiful cultural celebrations, Christmas in Malta is sure to be a truly special experience.

Nicky Warner is a smart traveller and guest blogger who can’t wait to experience these cool traditions on her Christmas holidays Malta next year.