Unwrapping Christmas Traditions: 10 Fascinating Ways to Celebrate Around the World

The holiday season is a time of joy, togetherness, and unique customs that span the globe. While many associate Christmas celebrations with Santa Claus, twinkling lights, and gift-giving, countless countries put their own spin on this cherished holiday. Exploring these diverse Christmas traditions around the world not only broadens our cultural understanding but also offers fresh inspiration for our own festivities.

From quirky characters to elaborate feasts, here are 10 distinct ways Christmas is celebrated across different cultures:

1. Japan’s KFC Christmas Feast

Forget the traditional turkey and ham! In Japan, a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has become an unexpected but beloved Christmas Eve tradition. Thanks to a highly successful marketing campaign in the 1970s, “Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii!” (“Kentucky for Christmas!”) has cemented its place in Japanese holiday culture. Families often pre-order their festive buckets weeks in advance, making it a truly unique Christmas dinner custom.

2. Norway’s Hidden Brooms

In Norway, Christmas Eve isn’t just about Santa; it’s also about witches and evil spirits! A centuries-old tradition involves hiding all brooms and mops in the house before going to bed. This is done to prevent witches and mischievous spirits from stealing them for midnight joyrides in the Christmas sky. It’s a charming superstition that adds a touch of folklore to the Nordic Christmas experience.

3. Venezuela’s Roller Skating to Mass

Imagine waking up on Christmas morning and roller skating to church! In Caracas, Venezuela, this is a long-standing and much-loved Christmas custom. Roads are often closed to traffic, allowing entire families to glide their way to early morning Mass, making for a truly lively and memorable start to Christmas Day.

4. Ukraine’s Lucky Spider Webs

While many decorate their Christmas trees with tinsel and baubles, Ukrainians often include an ornamental spider web. This beautiful tradition stems from a folk tale about a poor family who couldn’t afford decorations. Spiders, hearing their prayers, wove intricate webs on the tree overnight, which shimmered like gold and silver in the morning light. Spider webs are now considered a symbol of good luck for the new year in Ukraine.

5. Sweden’s Gävle Goat

Since 1966, the town of Gävle, Sweden, has erected a massive straw goat, known as the Gävle Goat, for the Christmas season. While impressive, this particular Christmas tradition has gained global notoriety for a less festive reason: it’s frequently been burned down by vandals before Christmas Day! Despite security measures, its annual fate has become a quirky and often dramatic part of Swedish Christmas folklore.

6. Italy’s La Befana, the Christmas Witch

In Italy, gifts aren’t solely delivered by Santa Claus. On January 5th, the eve of Epiphany, children eagerly await the arrival of La Befana, a kind old witch who flies on her broomstick, leaving treats for well-behaved children and coal for the naughty ones. This ancient folklore character adds a magical and slightly mysterious element to the Italian holiday celebrations.

7. Colombia’s Día de las Velitas (Little Candles’ Day)

The Christmas season in Colombia kicks off spectacularly on December 7th with Día de las Velitas, or Little Candles’ Day. Homes, streets, and public spaces are illuminated with countless candles and paper lanterns, honoring the Virgin Mary and marking the unofficial start of Christmas festivities. It’s a truly enchanting spectacle of light and devotion.

8. Iceland’s 13 Yule Lads

Move over, single Santa! In Iceland, children are visited by 13 mischievous Yule Lads during the 13 nights leading up to Christmas. These gnome-like figures leave small gifts in shoes placed on windowsills for good children, but rotten potatoes for those who have been naughty. Each Lad has a distinct personality, from “Spoon Licker” to “Candle Beggar,” adding a playful twist to Icelandic Christmas traditions.

9. Germany’s Christmas Pickle 

While its origins are debated, the “Christmas Pickle” is a popular tradition in some German and American households. An ornament shaped like a pickle is hidden deep within the branches of the Christmas tree, and the first child to find it on Christmas morning receives an extra present or special good luck. It adds an element of fun and a little friendly competition to the holiday decorations.

10. The Philippines’ Giant Lantern Festival

The Philippines boasts one of the longest Christmas seasons in the world, starting as early as September. A highlight is the Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando, often dubbed the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines.” During this festival, towns compete to create the most elaborate and dazzling giant lanterns, showcasing incredible artistry and bringing brilliant light to the holiday season.

These captivating Christmas traditions remind us that while the spirit of the holidays is universal, the ways we celebrate it are as wonderfully diverse as the world itself. This year, add a personalized letter from Santa to your Christmas traditions, and watch the faces of your loved ones light up with joy.  

What other traditions listed above would you like to adopt this Christmas?