Unbelievable Christmas Customs: Discover the Wildest Traditions from Across the Globe!
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As the festive season approaches, many of us in Australia look forward to our own Christmas traditions, whether it's a seafood barbecue, a game of backyard cricket, or a dip in the pool to escape the summer heat. But have you ever wondered how the rest of the world celebrates this merry time of year? From feasting on fast food to burning giant goats, Christmas customs around the globe can be as diverse as they are fascinating.
Let's start with Japan's unique take on Christmas dinner. While we might be firing up the barbie, many Japanese families are lining up at KFC for a special Christmas meal. This tradition started in 1974 when KFC launched a festive marketing campaign that caught on like wildfire. Now, millions of Japanese people pre-order their 'Finger Lickin' Good' chicken to enjoy with family and friends. It's a curious sight for Australians, but it goes to show how a clever ad can create a new cultural phenomenon.
In Norway, you might find yourself participating in a rather peculiar practice on Christmas Eve – hiding your broomsticks. This tradition stems from the belief that witches and evil spirits come out on Christmas Eve looking for brooms to ride on. While it's a bit of fun, it's not as widely practiced as the Julebord, a grand Christmas feast featuring roasted pork belly, meatballs, and gløgg, Norway's answer to mulled wine. If you're visiting Norway during the festive season, attending a Julebord is a must for a truly authentic experience.
Sweden, meanwhile, has a tradition that's both grand and a target for mischief. In the town of Gävle, a giant straw goat is erected in the town square each Christmas. This tradition has its roots in pagan festivals, but today it's a beloved symbol of the season. Unfortunately, it's also a magnet for vandals who often try to burn it down. Despite the best efforts of local security, the Gävle goat has been destroyed 38 times since its inception. It's a strange mix of tradition and rebellion that captures the world's attention every December.
If you find yourself in Romania during the festive period, you might encounter men dressed as goats, known as capra, parading through the streets. This colorful tradition involves elaborate costumes, including wooden masks and sheepskin, and is accompanied by singing and dancing. It's a vibrant and lively way to celebrate the season and one that's sure to leave a lasting impression.
Greenland offers some of the most unusual Christmas delicacies you're likely to come across. Mattak, whale skin with blubber, and kiviak, decomposed auks, are traditional foods eaten during the festive season. While these might not appeal to everyone's palate, they're a testament to the unique culinary traditions that exist around the world.
In Latvia, the Christmas season sees mummers, or Kekatas, going from house to house, dressed in animal masks or as other figures like death or living corpses. They bring blessings to the homes they visit, encouraging fertility and scaring away bad spirits. This tradition, which has seen a revival since the 1970s, is a fascinating blend of the macabre and the merry.
Finland's Christmas traditions are both solemn and serene. On Christmas Eve, many Finns visit the graves of loved ones to light candles, creating a beautiful, glowing tribute. The tradition of Joulusauna, or Christmas sauna, is also a key part of Finnish Christmas, where families gather in the sauna to relax and honor the sauna elf, Saunatonttu.
In Iceland, the 13 Yule Lads – mischievous creatures from folklore – visit children in the lead-up to Christmas, leaving gifts or rotten potatoes depending on the child's behavior. This tradition, along with the story of the Yule Cat, adds a touch of whimsy and wonder to the Icelandic festive season.
The Czech Republic has a charming tradition for single women. On Christmas, they throw a shoe over their shoulder; if it lands with the toe pointing towards the door, marriage is on the horizon. In Slovakia, the festive season might see you throwing loksa pudding at the ceiling – the more that sticks, the more luck your family will have in the coming year.
These are just a few examples of the incredible variety of Christmas customs around the world. From Venezuela, where people roller-skate to Christmas Mass, to Germany's hidden pickle in the Christmas tree, and Austria's fearsome Krampus, the holiday season is a time of rich and diverse celebrations.
So, dear members of the Seniors Discount Club, as we enjoy our own Christmas traditions here in Australia, let's also appreciate the wonderful tapestry of customs that make this time of year so special across the globe. Who knows, maybe this year you'll be inspired to incorporate a new tradition into your celebrations – perhaps a festive sauna or even a KFC feast!
We'd love to hear about your own unique Christmas traditions or any you've encountered on your travels. Share your stories in the comments below, and let's spread the festive cheer far and wide!
Let's start with Japan's unique take on Christmas dinner. While we might be firing up the barbie, many Japanese families are lining up at KFC for a special Christmas meal. This tradition started in 1974 when KFC launched a festive marketing campaign that caught on like wildfire. Now, millions of Japanese people pre-order their 'Finger Lickin' Good' chicken to enjoy with family and friends. It's a curious sight for Australians, but it goes to show how a clever ad can create a new cultural phenomenon.
In Norway, you might find yourself participating in a rather peculiar practice on Christmas Eve – hiding your broomsticks. This tradition stems from the belief that witches and evil spirits come out on Christmas Eve looking for brooms to ride on. While it's a bit of fun, it's not as widely practiced as the Julebord, a grand Christmas feast featuring roasted pork belly, meatballs, and gløgg, Norway's answer to mulled wine. If you're visiting Norway during the festive season, attending a Julebord is a must for a truly authentic experience.
Have you known these strange Christmas traditions around the globe? Credit: Unsplash
Sweden, meanwhile, has a tradition that's both grand and a target for mischief. In the town of Gävle, a giant straw goat is erected in the town square each Christmas. This tradition has its roots in pagan festivals, but today it's a beloved symbol of the season. Unfortunately, it's also a magnet for vandals who often try to burn it down. Despite the best efforts of local security, the Gävle goat has been destroyed 38 times since its inception. It's a strange mix of tradition and rebellion that captures the world's attention every December.
If you find yourself in Romania during the festive period, you might encounter men dressed as goats, known as capra, parading through the streets. This colorful tradition involves elaborate costumes, including wooden masks and sheepskin, and is accompanied by singing and dancing. It's a vibrant and lively way to celebrate the season and one that's sure to leave a lasting impression.
Greenland offers some of the most unusual Christmas delicacies you're likely to come across. Mattak, whale skin with blubber, and kiviak, decomposed auks, are traditional foods eaten during the festive season. While these might not appeal to everyone's palate, they're a testament to the unique culinary traditions that exist around the world.
In Latvia, the Christmas season sees mummers, or Kekatas, going from house to house, dressed in animal masks or as other figures like death or living corpses. They bring blessings to the homes they visit, encouraging fertility and scaring away bad spirits. This tradition, which has seen a revival since the 1970s, is a fascinating blend of the macabre and the merry.
Finland's Christmas traditions are both solemn and serene. On Christmas Eve, many Finns visit the graves of loved ones to light candles, creating a beautiful, glowing tribute. The tradition of Joulusauna, or Christmas sauna, is also a key part of Finnish Christmas, where families gather in the sauna to relax and honor the sauna elf, Saunatonttu.
In Iceland, the 13 Yule Lads – mischievous creatures from folklore – visit children in the lead-up to Christmas, leaving gifts or rotten potatoes depending on the child's behavior. This tradition, along with the story of the Yule Cat, adds a touch of whimsy and wonder to the Icelandic festive season.
The Czech Republic has a charming tradition for single women. On Christmas, they throw a shoe over their shoulder; if it lands with the toe pointing towards the door, marriage is on the horizon. In Slovakia, the festive season might see you throwing loksa pudding at the ceiling – the more that sticks, the more luck your family will have in the coming year.
These are just a few examples of the incredible variety of Christmas customs around the world. From Venezuela, where people roller-skate to Christmas Mass, to Germany's hidden pickle in the Christmas tree, and Austria's fearsome Krampus, the holiday season is a time of rich and diverse celebrations.
So, dear members of the Seniors Discount Club, as we enjoy our own Christmas traditions here in Australia, let's also appreciate the wonderful tapestry of customs that make this time of year so special across the globe. Who knows, maybe this year you'll be inspired to incorporate a new tradition into your celebrations – perhaps a festive sauna or even a KFC feast!
We'd love to hear about your own unique Christmas traditions or any you've encountered on your travels. Share your stories in the comments below, and let's spread the festive cheer far and wide!
