DECK THE HALLS WITH… KFC CHICKEN?
The world celebrates Christmas in many different, and some very weird, ways
Christmas isn’t for everyone, but it is more or less everywhere. And often where it’s celebrated, it’s with some strange customs…
Japan: KFC for Christmas Dinner
In Japan, it’s a popular tradition to enjoy a Christmas feast from KFC. Orders for the fast-food chain’s fried chicken are placed months in advance, making it a unique Japanese Christmas tradition.
Iceland: Yule Lads and the Yule Cat
Iceland celebrates with the Yule Lads, mischievous creatures who either reward or punish children depending on their behavior. There’s also the Yule Cat, said to eat those who don’t receive new clothes before Christmas.
Ukraine: Spider Web Decorations
Tough as it is to imagine seasonal cheer in the ongoing war, it’s a tradition that Ukrainian Christmas trees often feature spider web decorations, inspired by a folk tale where a poor family’s Christmas tree miraculously turned into silver and gold after spiders decorated it.
Venezuela: Roller Skating to Church
In the capital city, Caracas, it’s a common tradition for people to roller skate to early morning Christmas Mass. Roads are even closed to ensure a safe journey for the skaters.
Sweden: The Gävle Goat
A giant straw goat is erected in Gävle each year. However, locals often try to burn it down (despite security measures) in what has become a somewhat bizarre annual tradition.
Italy: La Befana
Instead of Santa Claus, Italian children await the arrival of La Befana, a kind witch who delivers gifts on the night of Epiphany, January 5th.
South Africa: Deep-Fried Caterpillars
In some parts of the country, it’s customary to feast on deep-fried caterpillars as part of Christmas celebrations. Presumably somebody knows why.
Catalonia: Caganer
In Catalonia in Spain, nativity scenes often include a “Caganer,” a figurine of a person defecating. It’s believed to bring good luck and fertility to the coming year.
Norway: Hide the Brooms
Norwegians have a superstition that on Christmas Eve, all brooms in the house should be hidden to prevent witches and evil spirits from stealing them for nighttime rides. I guess they’re like Citi bikes for witches…
Austria: Krampus Night
On December 5th, Krampus, a demonic creature with horns and a long tongue, roams the streets, punishing misbehaving children, in a deliciously malicious Austrian tradition.
Greenland: The Whale Blubber Feast
In some parts of Greenland, Christmas feasts include kiviak, a traditional dish made by wrapping a whole auk bird in seal skin and allowing it to ferment inside a hollowed-out seal carcass. This can be the only proper pairing to the centerpiece of the meal, a whole bunch of raw whale blubber.
Spain: El Gordo Lottery
The Spanish celebrate Christmas with the world’s largest lottery, El Gordo. Families and friends often come together to watch the live drawing, and winning numbers are sung by school children.
Ethiopia: Ganna, a Game of Something Like Hockey
Ethiopians celebrate Christmas with a game of Ganna, a traditional sport that resembles hockey, played with a curved stick and a wooden ball.
Guatemala: La Quema del Diablo (The Burning of the Devil)
Guatemalans clean their homes thoroughly before Christmas and then burn effigies of the devil to symbolize purification and the triumph of good over evil.
Philippines: Giant Lantern Festival
The city of San Fernando, north of the capital Manilla, hosts a Giant Lantern Festival where intricately designed and brightly lit lanterns compete in a grand display, showcasing the creativity of the Filipino people.
Finland: Graveyard Picnics
Families visit the graves of their loved ones on Christmas Eve, bringing candles and having a picnic in the cemetery.
Czech Republic: Predicting the Future With Shoes
Single Czech women perform a unique Christmas ritual to predict their relationship status for the upcoming year. They stand with their backs to the front door and throw a shoe over their shoulder. If the toe of the shoe points toward the door, it’s believed they will get married soon.
Portugal: The Consoada Feast
Families gather for the Consoada feast on Christmas Eve. An empty place setting is left at the table for the Alminha, or the souls of deceased family members, who are invited to join the celebration.
Estonia: Sauna on Christmas Eve
Estonians traditionally enjoy a sauna on Christmas Eve before sitting down to a festive meal. It’s a time for relaxation and cleansing before the celebrations. Brilliant idea.
Latvia: The Mummer Procession
Latvians celebrate Christmas with a Mummer Procession, where people dress in costumes, wear masks, and go door to door to sing and dance, bringing good wishes for the upcoming year.
Mexico: Noche de los Rábanos (Night of the Radishes)
In Oaxaca, the Night of the Radishes is celebrated on December 23rd. Artisans carve intricate scenes from radishes, and the creations are displayed in the main square.
Russia: Ded Moroz and Snegurochka
Instead of Santa Claus, Russian children await Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) and his granddaughter Snegurochka (Snow Maiden), who bring gifts and good cheer.
Greece: Kalikantzari
According to Greek folklore, mischievous goblins called Kalikantzari wreak havoc during the 12 days of Christmas. To keep them at bay, Greeks sometimes burn old shoes. Those must be some damn smally, old shoes.
Netherlands: Sinterklaas
Dutch children eagerly await the arrival of Sinterklaas on December 5th. He arrives by steamboat from Spain, accompanied by his helpers, the “Zwarte Pieten,” or Black Peters, to distribute gifts (though Zwarte Pieten is in the process of getting canceled). Even Christmas is not immune from The Woke!
Australia: Surfing Santas
Christmas in Australia often involves beach celebrations, you won’t be surprised to learn. In some coastal areas, surfers dressed as Santa catch waves — of course they do — blending the festive season with the Australian love for the beach.
Romania: Bear Dancing
In parts of the country, particularly in Moldova, the tradition of Bear Dancing involves performers dressed as bears who dance from house to house, accompanied by musicians, to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits.
Brazil: Burning Dolls for Good Luck
In some regions of Brazil, it’s customary to create life-sized dolls representing negative energies and burn them on New Year’s Eve for good luck in the coming year.
Scotland: Fireball Swinging in Stonehaven
In the town of Stonehaven, Scotland, locals participate in the Hogmanay fireball swinging tradition. People swing fireballs around their heads while parading through the streets, symbolizing the purification of the coming year. And the fact that the Scots drink a bit.
