In America, people celebrate Christmas whether they are Christians or not. It is becoming a more secular holiday every year. Because of this, I wonder whether its popularity is growing in Turkey. Do most people in Turkey know about the Christmas traditions? Is it celebrated in any way?

Sorry if this seems ignorant. It is difficult for me to imagine not having this "magical" holiday as a child. Thank you for your answers! And Merry Christmas!

I live in the United States and I do not celebrate that.

Yes, of course not everyone here celebrates it (Although you may be well-aquainted to the songs, themes, and customs). But I am more interested in Turkey´s relation to it, thank you.

From my time there ( and of course this does not mean everyone does it) but I observered many confusions with christmas traditions and that which Turkey appear to do at New Year.

 At new year time christmas trees were put up, santa´s out and about. Numerous decorations and customs traditionally associated with Christmas appeared to celebrate New Year´s Eve.  Santa Claus also appears to be associatred with New Year´s eve rather than Xmas which for me seems odd But yes certain traditions are widespread although celebrated for different reasons (not christmas ) and at a different time (New Years eve)  haha. 

I have been living in Türkiye for 27 years and i can say celebrations are really limited here as it should be. Our christians celebrate it for sure. Yes some people use trees but it is not for chirstmas but to celebrate new year.

Merry Chirstmas for the ones who celebrate

I do not think Christmas is actually being celebrated in Turkey. Just some parts of it maybe.
You may see decorated trees in Istanbul in shopping malls or in some people´s houses.

I know it may sound some of you weird not to celebrate such a holiday. But we have our own holidays too. We got two holidays in a year. Arabs call it Eid. Maybe you heard of "Eid Mubarak" before. We call it "bayram" By those holidays children would collect sweets , money and stuff. Some parents would give them gifts.

In Anatolia you cannot easily see anything about Christmas.

I think there is nothing wrong with Moslems celebrating the birthday of Jesus Christ, as Islam recognizes Christ as one of the holy prophets of God.

In his true character, Christ is praised by Quran and revered by Moslems.

What is not in line with Moslem faith is believing Christ is "god" or "son of god", which probably stems from an error in early translations of the Bible from Hebrew to old Greek.

All Christmas traditions (except maybe the Christmas card which is a newcomer) are of paganic origin. Priests taught people ok keep following them but give them a new meaning. This is how human concepts often work.

Islam had another message: leave them and do not create new ones.

Celebrating New Year is no more an Islamic tradition.

I mean people may follow whatever paths they wish but it would be nice if they knew what they are doing.

I really appreciate all the answers, thank you! Turkey is becoming more and more interesting to me every time I learn something new about it. Thank you again everyone!

It was always tradition in my family for Christmas and this has been my first year in Turkey and I have not seen anything or anyone celebrating Christmas. A bit depressing for me, considering this is my first year/Christmas in Turkey, but I did video call to my fam in Cali at 5 in the morning (my time, 7pm thiers) for a game of "white elephant" , my fave in Christmas stuff to do. So I guess their is ways to beat the Christmas blues one way or another. Merry Christmas!

Ah, we played white elephant yesterday. It´s much less stressful than buying a present for everybody, and we give the most ridiculous presents. If I´m ever able to visit Turkey, I will definitely be Skyping the family.

yes, chicken poop chapstick was one of the presents. I have no idea how they found that one

Haha, we had a box of at least 1,000 ugly pig magnets.

In Turkey,of course we don´t celebrate Christmas,because,99 percent of Turks are muslims.But, we celebrate something at the same time with Christmas.That is not religious,that is about like an existence..As you know,21st December is the longest night day.In our Turkish traditional believe,on this day,day conquer the night,that the days become longer than the nights..By the way,for example me, celebrate it ,but not as religious, that,as an integration with the other people of world who aren´t muslims..I prepare to adorn artificial pine tree  with gifths that I will give them to my close friends or to my family members..

Very interesting. This is the first time I hear that 21 Dec is celebrated as "longest nigth" in Turkey. Is there a special Turkish name for this?

En Uzun Gece Bayramı ?

Could be Gangnam style..? 

Pardon?

Never mind...

Şaka mı yaptın anlayamadım, kusura bakma

You should have set up whatever celebration is necessary yourself, at home....no law against it !

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