Christmas is celebrated worldwide, with each region adding its unique flavour to the festivities.
In southern India - home to more than half of the country's Christians, according to the 2011 census - the community has distinct ways of marking December's most joyous occasion.
Key traditions in the state of Kerala include hanging illuminated stars in front of houses, crafting intricate Christmas cribs that re-create the nativity scene and engaging in lively Christmas carolling.
In recent years, these cherished customs are finding a home in New Zealand, brought over by the South Indian community.
According to the 2023 Census, Indians are New Zealand's third-largest ethnic group, numbering 292,092 people.
While nearly half of the community identifies as Hindu, Christians make up the second-largest group at 15.6 percent.
Mebin John hails from the Indian state of Kerala. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom
"Christmas is a very big deal where I come from," says Mebin John, who hails from Kottayam, a district in Kerala with a large Christian population.
Kerala's Christian community, while still a minority, is proportionally larger than India's overall Christian population.
According to the latest census, the South Indian state has an 18.38 percent Christian population, while only 2.3 percent of the country's total population identifies as Christian.
"We start preparing for Christmas from 1 December by putting up a star in front of our houses," says John, who moved to New Zealand in 2016.
The five-pointed star is a Christian symbol associated with the birth of Jesus.
However, John notes that people from other religions also put up stars to celebrate Christmas.
"It's a way to join in the festive spirit," he says.
The colourful stars, which remain on display until the end of the month, signify the start of the Christmas season.
"From a religious perspective, Christians observe a 25-day Lent, avoiding meat, alcohol or something they choose to give up," says John, highlighting the spiritual significance of the season.
Christmas cribs that re-create the nativity scene are an important Christmas tradition for the Kerala community. Photo: Supplied / Mebin John
South Indian households also create a Christmas crib, or nativity scene, as part of their celebrations.
"The crib is very important for the community, especially for children," John says.
The detailed display includes figures such as the three wise men and animals such as camels, sheep and calves.
"I've noticed that cribs are not as big here in New Zealand," John says.
However, this hasn't stopped him from continuing the tradition at his home in West Auckland.
"I'm making another crib this year," he says.
Carolling is another highlight of Indian Christmas celebrations, though it differs from the Western tradition.
"Back home, carolling involves groups visiting different houses in the neighborhood, singing songs and bringing along Santa," John says.
"Santa plays with the kids and dances with the carollers - it's very interactive," he says.
Maria Fernandez and her family moved to New Zealand from Goa, India, two decades ago. Photo: Supplied
Maria Fernandez has always found Christmas to be a treasured part of life.
"Ever since I was a little girl, Christmas has been a major highlight," says Fernandez, who moved to New Zealand almost two decades ago from Goa, a former Portuguese colony in India.
"Every year, we had a tailor come to stitch new clothes for all my sisters. My mother would start preparing sweets a month in advance to share with neighbours and friends. There was midnight Mass, decorating a crib, putting up festive decorations and, finally, unwrapping presents on Christmas Day," she recalls.
Fernandez describes Christmas in Goa as a vibrant celebration filled with music, dancing, a touch of wine and an abundance of food.
But Christmas in New Zealand has a unique flavour, she says.
"In our first year here, we dressed up for church, only to be surprised by others showing up in shorts," she says. "That was our first big cultural difference."
Fernandez also highlights differences in the tradition of preparing Christmas sweets.
"Back in Goa, sweets like marzipan, kalkal and nueris are staples of the season, but sweets don't seem to be as popular here," she says.
Amal Joseph and his colleagues have organised carolling sessions from 1-19 December, visiting around 30 homes of their co-workers. Photo: Supplied
Amal Joseph, a registered nurse at Middlemore Hospital's Emergency Department, echoes John's sentiments.
"We're all recent immigrants and we missed our Christmas traditions, so we decided to do something this year," Joseph says.
Joseph and his colleagues have organised carolling sessions from 1-19 December, visiting around 30 homes of their co-workers.
The celebrations conclude on 20 December, as many are scheduled to work on Christmas Day.
"This has given us an opportunity to bond, relive our memories and help our children adjust to life in New Zealand," Joseph says.
John and Joseph agree that Christmas in New Zealand feels different.
"Christmas presents aren't a major tradition back home," Joseph says. "There might be a few who exchange gifts, but it's not as widespread as it is here."
Amal Joseph is a registered nurse at Middlemore Hospital's Emergency Department. Photo: Supplied
John agrees.
"Christmas for us is more about family, friends and community," he says. "Food plays a big role - many break their fast with a feast and invite friends over."
However, Christmas presents play a significant role in Goan celebrations.
"In my family, we used to give a gift to Jesus as well - usually money for charity or clothes for the poor," she said.
For everyone, the season is bittersweet.
"The only thing I miss is my family," Joseph says - a sentiment John and Fernandez are also quick to share.
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