what is "make a vow for christmas"

I think it may mean that the person who smokes is being advised to use a special occasion, Christmas, as a time to "vow", (promise publicly) to give up smoking.

It sounds odd to this British reader because there we tend to do that sort of thing a few days later at New Year, when we make "New Years Resolutions". Or so I thought.

Perhaps other cultures have Christmas vows? Is it a North American thing?

italy
thankyou for your reply . it was in Italy. A monk said to students when he realised that someone was smoking.

it must be related to the local religion or custom.

thank u all the same.