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Christmas is a time for celebrations and traditions, and while you might be thinking of Santa hats and lit-up trees, there is so much more to the festive season the further you look around the world. Each country has its own unique traditions and practices – some with very peculiar origins!
So, if you are ever enjoying a hot roast or singing carols and wondering what other people do on Christmas, read on.
Mexico: Gifting Poinsettias
Mexican legend has it that a little girl who had nothing to give baby Jesus but a bunch of weeds at a Christmas Eve service knelt to place the weeds by the nativity, and the bouquet burst into bright red flowers. Since that day, poinsettias have been associated with Christmas in Mexico and are gifted between friends and family. Blooming in winter, the leaves of the flowers are said to be shaped like the Star of Bethlehem, and are known as the Flores de Noche Buena, or ‘Flowers of the Holy Night’.
Japan: KFC for a Christmas Meal
Although not your most obvious Christmas lunch or dinner option, KFC in Japan is hugely popular. In 1974, KFC Japan created an ad campaign promoting fried chicken as the ideal meal on December 25th. Since then, this quirky tradition has stuck with Christmas packs, including made-to-order fried chicken, chocolate fudge cake and commemorative plates with Colonel Sanders dressed as Santa Claus. The practice is so popular that many people book their food weeks in advance and form lines outside of the fast-food restaurants on Christmas Day.
Australia: Surfing Santas
Christmas down under is hot. The sun is shining, the skies are blue, and sandals, shorts, and dresses are the norm. So, instead of being bundled up inside, Australians tend to venture out – with a good majority of people hitting up the beach. At Bondi Beach in Sydney, hundreds of surfers dressed in Santa gear take to the waves for an annual surf in the sea. Refreshing, comedic and typically done for a good cause, it’s what Christmas in Australia is all about.
Sweden: The Yule Goat
First mentioned in the 11th century, the Yule Goat was thought to be a man-sized goat figure led by St Nicholas, who had the power to control the devil. The idea of it changed in the 17th century when young men dressed as goat creatures performed pranks and demanded gifts. By the 19th century, the goat had a total rebrand. Instead of Father Christmas, the men in the family would dress up as the goat and give gifts. Nowadays, modern Sweden celebrates the Yule Goat with giant versions created with straw and red ribbons.
Ukraine: Spider webs
Now, don’t get too worried, we aren’t talking about real spider webs. Rather, spider web-inspired decorations. Instead of traditional tinsel and fairy lights, trees are donned with paper and silver wire called Pavuchky (meaning little spider). The origins of this tradition lie in a folktale where a poor widow and her children are looking forward to decorating the pine tree that grew in their garden after a pinecone fell there. However, they cannot afford decorations and are saddened by this. Upon hearing them cry, the spiders that dwell in the house decide to adorn the branches with their webs, making silky creations glistening with silver and gold. Legend has it that after the spiders’ act of kindness, the widow and her children were never short of anything again. In keeping with the tale, people still do this to invite good luck and fortune into their homes for the coming year.
Italy: Bagpipe-playing Shepherds
In southern Italy, Rome and Naples in particular, shepherds playing the bagpipes can be heard around the towns. Performing in pairs, the duos entertain crowds in squares and piazzas with festive melodies including the famous 1744 Italian carol, ‘Tu scendi dale stelle‘. In honour of the traditional shepherds in the nativity, they are dressed in sheepskins and wool cloaks.
Austria: Krampus
The devil-like creature, Krampus, is a legend in many alpine countries like Austria. The evil accomplice of St Nicholas is said to wander the streets in search of badly behaved children. Adorned with terrifying masks of a ghoulish and gruesome nature, curved horns, shaggy pelts, and a wild jangling of bells, Krampus is a scary addition to the wholesome vibes of Christmas. And not someone you want to mess with! Major cities in Austria host annual Krampus parades where locals dress up and take to the streets with performances and dances.
Do you have any special Christmas traditions?
