When we think of Christmas, we probably picture festive Christmas trees, presents, midnight snacks, and lavishly decorated tables. But have you ever considered that in some places, Christmas traditions are a lot more unusual? There are customs around the world that are so bizarre that they seem made up – but they are completely real!
How is Christmas celebrated around the world? From spider webs on Christmas trees to rollerblading in church and hiding broomsticks, every culture has its own unique interpretation of the holiday. Let's delve into the most interesting and shocking customs people around the world practice at Christmas. You might be surprised by how much diversity there is to see. holiday season.
How is Christmas celebrated around the world? The most unusual Christmas customs around the world
1. Rollerblading to church – Caracas, Venezuela
Forget walking or driving – in Caracas, you can rollerblade to Christmas mass! This colorful tradition, which takes place the week before Christmas, is so popular that city authorities close the roads to cars every morning. In anticipation of the rollerblading, children often leave a string on their windows so that the rollerblading wakes them up in the morning. Celebrating on wheels – what about you?
2. Krampus – The Scary Christmas Demon (Austria and Germany)
While Santa Claus hands out presents to good children, he has a sinister sidekick in the Alpine regions – Krampus. This demonic figure with horns and chains scares children who have not been good and symbolically punishes them. Krampus parades, called “Krampusnacht”, are like a kind of nighttime carnival where horror and fun are mixed. An idea for Christmas? The beginning of a horror movie, of course.
3. Caga Tió and Caganer - Spain
The Catalans are truly masters of bizarre traditions. The “Caga Tió”, or “pooping log”, is a funny figure that children feed with treats and then beat to “excrete” gifts. But even more interesting is the “Caganer”, a figure of a man who sits in a manger while doing his business. Probably the only culture where “pooping” brings luck and fertility.
4. Spider webs for happiness – Ukraine
The Ukrainian Christmas tree can be quite spooky, as it is decorated with cobwebs. Why? Legend has it that a poor widow couldn't afford decorations, so her Christmas was saved by a family of spiders who decorated the tree with cobwebs. The webs glowed like silver in the sunlight, which is said to symbolize prosperity.
5. Hiding brooms – Norway
On Christmas Eve, Norwegian families carefully hide all their brooms, believing that witches and evil spirits are looking for a means of transportation on this day. A broom under the sofa? Simply a necessary precaution. The tradition dates back to a time when people believed that spirits were especially active on Christmas.
6. Memorial Day – Portugal
In Portugal, Christmas isn't just for the living. They leave extra plates on the table for deceased relatives as a symbol of respect and connection. They believe that the souls of their loved ones also share the festive atmosphere and are part of the family table - just without the gifts.
7. Shoe throwing – Czech Republic
Unmarried girls in the Czech Republic perform their own little ritual on Christmas Eve – they grab a shoe and throw it over their shoulder towards the door. If the heel lands facing the door, wedding bells will ring soon. If not, it's obvious that they have to wait a little longer – maybe next year with a better shoe.
8. Throwing pudding at the ceiling – Slovakia
In Slovakia, the Christmas pudding “Loksa” is a real acrobat. The head of the family takes a spoonful of pudding and throws it at the ceiling with a gesture. The larger piece that sticks means more luck and prosperity for the coming year. But we don’t know how often they need to paint the ceiling after that.
9. Yule Goats – Scandinavia
In Sweden and Norway, the goat is the main symbol of Christmas. In the city of Gävle, a giant straw goat is erected every year, but there is one big problem – it almost always gets burned. If it survives until the end of the holidays, that is a small miracle in itself!
10. Exotic Christmas dinners – Greenland
In Greenland, festive dishes are not for everyone. On the table you will find “Mattak” (whale skin with blubber) or “Kiviak” (birds fermented in seal skin). These specialties are a symbol of the richness of nature and the close connection with the Arctic conditions. We only recommend that you come with a strong stomach.
11. Fried chicken – Japan
Does Christmas in Japan smell like… fried chicken? A KFC campaign from the 1970s convinced the Japanese that it was Christmas food. Today, people have to book their meals weeks in advance because restaurants are packed on Christmas Eve. Chicken + Christmas = love!
12. Beach picnics – Australia
Australians celebrate Christmas in a completely summery atmosphere. Beach picnics with seafood, light salads and succulent desserts are the norm. Instead of snow, they are surrounded by sand, sun and waves - the perfect recipe for a relaxed holiday spirit.
Conclusion
Christmas traditions around the world are incredibly diverse – from touching symbols of family bonding to downright bizarre practices. But they all share a common thread: the
