The Weirdest Christmas Traditions Around The World

Austria

Image Source/ The GuardianIn the festive season the Christmas devil Krampus keeps kids on their toes. When Krampus is thought to send evil children to the underworld, choosing whether to be naughty or kind is a simple decision. Also, Austria is home to the incredible all-famous Christmas markets.

Bavaria

Image Source/ PinterestHow do you deal with those annoying evil spirits that linger towards the end of the year? Of course, you drive them away with a loud display! Well, in Bavaria, men simultaneously fire antique mortars in the mountains of the Bavarian Alps while donning their traditional lederhosen.

Canada

Image Source/ CTV NewsKids will write to Santa, addressing letters to: Ho Ho Ho, Santa Claus, North Pole, Canada. The closest settlement to the North Pole is actually Canada and the Canadian Immigration Minister declared Santa Claus to be an official Canadian citizen in 2008, and he and Mrs. Claus each received a Canadian passport in 2013.

Catalan

Image Source/ ShBarcelonaThe Poo Log, also known as Caga Tió, is welcomed into the house on December 8th. This log, which has a smiling face and a Catalan cap, is fed dry fruit and kept warm with a blanket up until Christmas Eve, when the kids beat him with sticks until he excretes presents and sweets.

Cuba

Image Source/ BandBCubaFidel Castro outlawed Christmas in Cuba so as to keep workers harvesting sug­ar, but the Cuban people celebrate Par­ran­das, during which entire towns come alive with fire­works and electric light displays. Christmas Eve is when a suckling pig is barbecued, therefore Christmas Day is all about recovering from the previous day's festivities.

Czech Republic

Image Source/ Travel.earthSingle women, come to this lovely nation to channel your inner Cinderella. To get married within a year, just toss your shoe over your shoulder and see if it lands pointing toward a door. Not seeking Mr. Right, but fantasising about next year's upcoming craze? Then, on Christmas Eve, dab a little honey on your face.

Estonia

Image Source/ Estonian WorldIn place of the advent calendar Children in Estonia put their slippers on their windowsills hoping elves will hide sweet chocolate for them to find in the morning. The idea of spending Christmas Eve in a sauna with your entire family may be less joyful, but it is a beloved Estonian Christmas tradition. Try before you judge!

Ethiopia

Image Source/ Command One PostWhile the majority of the world celebrates Christmas on either December 24 or December 25, Ethiopia waits until January 7 to celebrate the birth of Jesus (also known as Ganna). The majority of Ethiopians fast the day before Gana before going to mass at 4am.

Finland

Image Source/ thisisFINLANDIn Finland, remembering and honouring the lives of departed loved ones is a significant and unique aspect of Christmas. This is a true winter wonderland because many people go to the ceme­ter­ies where their family members are interred and leave a can­dle.

Germany

Image Source/ deutschland.deGerman kids leave a shoe outside their house and wait to discover if they've been good or bad. The sweets in are for well-behaved children, while mischievous little kids may only get a tree branch. Saint Nicholas Day is celebrated on December 6th, and on Christmas morning, the adults hide an ornamental pickle in the Christmas tree.

Greece

Image Source/ Greece IsGreeks believe keeping a fire going over the twelve days of Christmas will prevent hobgoblins from entering the house through the chimney. Also several towns display boat decorations as a reminder of the custom of women decorating wooden boats to welcome their husbands back from the sea.

Greenland

Image Source/ Commissceo GlobalA pair of polished wal­rus tusks, sealskin mittens, or model sledges are traditional gifts in Greenland. The residents then indulge in their preferred fine cuisine which range from raw whale skin (complete with blub­ber) to dead fermented auk birds that have been stuffed into a seal skin.

Guatemala

Image Source/ The Mixed CultureIn Guatemala people wipe their homes clean before building a mountain of trash in the village that is lit on fire with a devil on top. Yikes! A Christmas embrace is given at midnight on Christmas Eve before families usher in the big day by blowing whistles and lighting firecrackers, which is a much lighter note.

Iceland

Image Source/ Nordic VisitorArctic children have 13 saints to celebrate at Christmas. The Yule-tide Lads are naughty Santas who, depending on the child's behaviour that day, will either leave sweets or a rotting potato for them throughout Advent. Many kids decide to leave their shoe on the windowsill, waiting for something delicious to be placed inside.

Italy

Image Source/ Happy.RentalsThe Italians are drowned in interesting, though unusual, Christmas customs, like bagpipers playing in town squares and resisting meat on Christmas Eve. La Befana, a nice witch who sweeps floors and leaves treats for good kids, is one of the strangest Christmas customs, nonetheless.

Japan

Image Source/ Time OutIn Japan, there's a many unique Christmas traditions, including families exchanging presents on Christmas Eve, red Christmas cards being discouraged since the colour is associated with death, and indulging in KFC on Christmas Eve because a 1974 ad campaign. Wow.

Latvia

Image Source/ PinterestChristmas customs all throughout the world frequently allude to the darker side. Take Latvia as an example, where costumed and mask-wearing "mummers" ward off evil spirits and bless the home. They also burn the Yule log, symbolising getting rid of any negative vibes from the previous year.

New Zealand

Image Source/ Gardening Know HowIn New Zealand, the lovely Pohutukawa tree substitutes as Christmas tree and decorated with cards. This magnificent tree, which blooms with red flowers in December and January, is a significant part of Maori tradition because they believe the red flowers represent the blood of a young warrior who died while attempting to avenge the death of his father.

Norway

Image Source/ Rove.meChristmas Eve is believed to be the day that witches and evil spirits will arrive, thus Norwegians hide their brooms before going to bed in case they are stolen. Additionally, they consume lutefisk, a dried fish that has been rehydrated in lye, even though it's widely detested.

Philippines

Image Source/ The Hungry Traveller PHThe Ligligan Parul, also known as the Giant Lantern Festival, is held annually in San Fernando and uses lanterns to represent the Star of Bethlehem. Thousands of rotating lights make up each parol, which illuminates the night sky. Sounds like something spectacular!

Portugal

Image Source/ Spook-EatsOn Christmas Eve, people gather in the city of Braga to eat bananas and drink muscatel. Beyond Braga, a national custom is the practise of celebrating Con­so­da, during which a place is set at the table for departed family members. It is believed that doing so will bring good fortune to the home.

Slovakia

Image Source/ Kubasjourneys.comThe highlight of the Christmas supper in Slova­kia is carp, so many families buy a live fish several days in advance and keep it in the bathtub where the fresh water improves its flavour. On Christmas Eve, it is then eaten after being killed. Sounds like a yummy delicacy!

South Africa

Image Source/ Culture TripWe all know Christmas is about indulgence. Well, in South Africa, you can find deep-fried caterpillars from the emperor moth. A little boy named Danny is said to haunt homes during the Christmas season, having been killed by his grandma for eating some of Santa's treats.

Spain

Image Source/ Rhapsody in Books weblogOn New Year's Eve, wearing red underwear is customary in Spain. The small town of La Font de la Figuera has carried out the custom even further by having a New Year's Eve run where the participants only wear red underwear. By chance, the town has the highest rate of pneumonia in the entire nation.

Sweden

Image Source/ BBCSweden is the home of iconic Christmas markets and glögg (warm mulled wine). One example of this is to hide an almond in a bowl of rice pudding; whoever finds the almond and peels it is predicted to get married within the next year. What a peculiar tradition!

UK

Image Source/ BBCEvery family member must assist in mixing the British pudding in a clockwise direction in order to be lucky. A silver coin is then concealed in the pudding prior to cooking. If they haven't accidentally swallowed the penny, which is decidedly unlucky, whoever finds it on Christmas Day enjoys an extra helping of good fortune!

Ukraine

Image Source/ TODAYUkraine decorate with glittering spiders and their webs. Some claim that the existence of tinsel was founded on these ornaments. That's not the only strange Christmas tradition in this country, on December 13th, boys and men are encouraged to pull practical jokes on one another, while kids squeal and bark under the table while Christmas dinner is served!

USA

Image Source/ New OrleansThe largest tumbleweed Christmas tree in the world can be found in Arizona, alongside a surfing Santa competition in California. Christmas is celebrated in Hawaii with a pig roast over an open fire, but in Louisiana they burn enormous log structures on Christmas Eve. Of course, the "Run­ning of the Santas," a massive pub crawl, is another beloved holiday custom.

Venezuela

Image Source/ METRO UKVenezuelans are a fun-loving group who enjoy anything from roller skating to Christmas Mass to setting off fire­crack­ers first thing in the morning. Additionally, according to legend, kids tie a piece of string around their toe before letting it hang out of their bedroom windows so that any passing skaters can give it a gentle tug.

Wales

Image Source/ Literary HubAn interesting topic to discuss is how Christmas is celebrated around the world, especially when it entails parading a horse's skull through the streets. While this custom has waned in popularity over time, some villages still have Mari Lwyd travel from house to house exchanging insults that rhyme.

Isle of Man

Image Source/ RedditIn the Isle of Man Christmas traditions take a slightly unexpected angle. There is a tradition known as Hunt the Wren. It consists of banging sticks together in a kind of parade. It happened originally as they were looking for the wren, a sacred bird where they would catch and kill it and prepare it for sacrifice

Mexico

Image source/ NBC newsIn Mexico, there is what is called The night of the radishes. This is a long standing and popular Christmas tradition which happens each year. Families will carve radishes into festive scenes. Then, there is a competition for the best carved radishes.

Arizona

Image Source/ RedditArizona has a very unusual Christmas tradition which is not something that we would usually associate with festive cheer. The Scottsdale Gun Club has a Christmas time tradition where there is a selfie competition. You have to snap yourself with Santa and a gun...

China

Image Source/ TwitterIn China, Christmas Days is much more about a romantic day for younger couples. It is common for them go out together, to the cinema etc. It is much more about their love rather than a family gathering.  It is also tradition on Christmas Eve to eat a peace apple.

Belgium

Image Source/ Amazing BelgiumIn Belgium there are two kinds of Christmas figures. There is Santa Claus and St. Nicholas. St. Nic arrives on the Christmas Eve to visit the children who have been bad and he gives the sticks and stones. Children lie their shoes out by the fire and wait for Santa Claus to visit, rather than hanging up a stocking to be filled

Poland

Image Source/ RedditIn Poland, before they tuck in to their traditional Christmas meal which takes place on Christmas Eve, they usually wait for the first star to appear in the sky. They then eat 12 dishes to symbolise the next 12 months. None of the dishes traditionally contain meat.

Bangladesh

Image Source/ RedditIn Bangladesh, Christmas time is extremely colourful. It is their historic tradition to decorate their homes and towns with the most colourful decorations as this is a way for them to symbolise peace. So all over the country there are vivid kinds of colours to see.

Algeria

Image source/ Ornament ShopIn Algeria there is a festival on Christmas Eve which is called The Lighting Of Globos Globos. A Globo is a kind of paper balloon/ lantern which are then lit and sent into the sky by families and loved ones for Christmas so the air is filled with thousands of the Globos Globos.

Switzerland

Image source/ Happy to wanderIn Switzerland the festivities start early. They actually get two visits from Santa Claus. First, Santa arrives on the 6th of December where he leaves nuts, peanuts and mandarins for the family to share. And of course, he then visits again in the 24th night with the presents.

Argentina

Image source/ allthingschristmasIn Argentina, decorating traditionally is not at the whim of the person's choice. It is usual for everybody to decorate on the 8th of December to start Christmas off soon. On Christmas day itself, it is normal for people to head to the beach to celebrate.

Tonga

Image source/ polynesiancultureIn Tonga, there are traditional gifts which families give to one another for Christmas. Women give their brother what is known as 'ngatu' which are tapa cloths. While men give their sisters what is known as 'tokonaki' which is an array of raw food - fishes and meats.

Philippines

Image source/ NPRIn the Philippines they do Christmas like no other and they boast the longest Christmas in the world. It does not start in December like many countries in the world but from September! From as early as September you will see Christmas lights, trees and decorations as the celebrations start already.

Bolivia

Image source/ Bolivian ExpressChristmas time in Bolivia is a very religious time and there will be day long celebrations which include religions traditions, festivals and processions. It starts on Christmas Eve and the festivities do not end until January the 6th which in Bolivia is called Epiphany.

Serbia

Image source/ N1On Christmas Eve in Serbia, traditionally fathers would go to the forest with their sons where they would choose an oak tree and chop down a branch which would become their Yule Log. They would then carry this back home together for Christmas day.

Russia

Image source/ InterludeIn Russia, again Christmas is highly religious and there is a 40 day fast which leads up to Christmas Eve. There are also many of the classic Christmas traditions, but amongst them is an unusual tradition of fortune telling which is also a long standing practice in Russia.

Albania

Image source/ scalanewsIn Albania Christmas is deeply religious and much of the festive traditions revolve around this. At Christmas Eve, there is a midnight mass which the majority of the people of Albania attend in one way or an other to start the festivity of Christmas.

Bulgaria

Image source/ Free plodviv tourIn Bulgaria there is a tradition known as 'Koleduvane' which happens on Christmas Eve. The children gather in special clothing in one house and then go from house to house singing Christmas carols. And Christmas last for 3 days in Bulgaria with the celebrations and feasts continuing.

France

Image source/ Lou MessugoIn France, typically adults wait for their presents until New Years Eve. Children open them on Christmas day, and have their shoes by the fire. They eat a Christmas dish called  le réveillon, made up of snails, oysters, seafood or smoked salmon, the main course of roast goose or turkey. There is also Father Spanker who decides who has been good or bad.

Tunisia

Image source/ nationalclothing.orgIn Tunisia, for Christmas time it is customary to wear traditional dress on the day of the 25th. There are headdresses and long tunics for the men as well as large trousers, flamboyant. For women, it is a traditional garment and a sipsari which covers women's heads.

Australia

Image source/ RedditIn Australia, of course, the weather is different from a lot of the world at this time of the year as they are experiencing summer whilst many people are in Winter. So, instead of traditional warm and cozy traditions Australians will typically head to the beach for a barbecue.

Nigeria

Image source/ RedditIn Nigeria, chicken is the symbol of Christmas and so this is the customary meal of Christmas Day. It is also a Nigerian Christmas tradition to share your food with neighbors and cook Christmas rice. This is the festive meal for the 25th of December and the rest of the traditions revolve around family and friends.

Costa Rica

Image source/ costaricaqIn Costa Rica, there is a very traditional Christmas meal named Piña de Tamales. The meal consists of veggies pulled pork, and corn flour or starch which is then wrapped in banana leaves and typically drunk with coffee. There are also parades of masked characters called mascaradas which happen all over.

Panama

Image source/ sertvIn Panama, there are lots of festivities around Christmas time, mainly there are the posadas which is a traditional procession through the streets of the town. Families and friends gather around to witness the posadas and it has become a huge attraction in Panama around Christmas time.

Mauritius

Image source/ vegsocietyIn Mauritius, there is a Christmas traditional meal that is had by the majority of the people of Mauritius on the 25th of December. It is made up of seafood, curry rice, chicken, and a barbecue. People gather with their families at somebody's house to enjoy this feast of food together.

Monaco

Image source/ magazinevivreIn Monaco, there is a typical traditional Christmas bread which is called Pan Natale. The bread has to be blessed by the head of the family. And there are olive branches at the table which are passed from the youngest to the eldest of the guests at the table and dipped in wine.

Chile

Image source/ chiletodayIn Chile, the Santa Claus of Christmas is called Viejito Pascuero. He visits with presents for the children in a sleigh on the streets of Chile. In Chile the Christmas trees are slightly different, they are often sculptural Christmas trees of all diffecolorsnds of shapes and colours.

Cuba

Image source/ RedditIn Cuba, Christmas time is full of fun and festivities. There are parties and parades all over the country which continue for a few days over the Christmas period. The country will be full of sing, ing, parades, decorations and lights as well as lots of traditional feasts.

Barbados

Image source/ YouTubeIn Barbados, there is a Christmas meal that most people will eat on Christmas day. It consists of Jug Jug (which is a kind of haggis and vegetable concoction to honor the Scottish roots) as well as cake, and ham. And it will be full of lights and decorations despite the sun.