Christmas Day in Togo is largely heralded as a time for family togetherness, joy, and celebration. Many Togolese families begin their celebration of Christmas on Christmas Eve, when they attend a midnight church service. This is followed by a return home for a special meal. The traditional dish for this festive occasion consists of chicken, a real treat in Togo, and this, along with rice and vegetables, is considered to be a real holiday feast.
On Christmas Day, Togolese people visit family and friends. In many parts of rural Togo, Christmas time is the one time of year when extended family members come together in their common ancestral village. Children enjoy going from house to house singing Christmas carols. They are generally rewarded with sweets and sometimes coins. The day is filled with joy, laughter, and communal enjoyment, with people exchanging gifts and well wishes.
Despite the country's economic struggles, Christmas Day in Togo is known for its festive decorations, lively celebrations, and community involvement. Public places, homes, and streets are usually adorned with twinkling Christmas lights, greenery, and nativity scenes. While Christmas Day is obviously Christian in identity, it is still a day of general festivity across Togo. In recent years, it has become an occasion where the cultures and traditions of Togo blend with the global celebration of Christmas Day.