Christmas is full of wonderful things, like food, friends, family, and a long list of other words that don't begin with the letter F. The fact that many nations have created their unique Christmas customs helps to add to the allure of the holiday season.
Must Read: What's the best way to add some sparkle to my Christmas outfit?
12 Unusual Christmas Celebrations Across the Globe
1. Chicken for Christmas
Food is the main focus of Christmas, and in Japan, it is represented by three letters: KFC. Get out your drumsticks and enjoy the American fast-food chain KFC's catchphrase, "Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!" or "Kentucky For Christmas!" Eating "(Fried) Christmas chicken" has been a tradition since a marketing campaign in 1974, and KFC continues to have the largest sales volume on Christmas Eve every year.
2. Fortunate Numbers
The Spanish National Lottery has been awarding "El Gordo," or "The Fat One," the largest sum of money of the year since the late 19th century. With dozens of lottery tickets apiece, people gather for what has grown to be a large social event on December 22 in the hopes of being one of the fortunate winners.
A choir of twenty-two schoolchildren customarily sings the lottery numbers, and the entire nation essentially stops in anticipation of the once-in-a-lifetime Christmas gift.
Read Also: How many Christmas trees are in the Great Hall each year?
3. A log of Christmas
Would you be interested in a Christmas log if you don't like Christmas trees? Tió de Nadal, also known as a Christmas log, is a piece of wood that is frequently adorned with a face and little legs. It is used to deliver gifts in several regions of Spain.
But the log does more than simply deliver gifts to the family; Tió de Nadal is also fed at night and has a little blanket of its own. Adorable, huh? The sweetness, however, ends there: On Christmas Eve, the log is placed in the fireplace, and the families beat it with sticks until it, uhm, spits forth candy and gifts.
It's definitely time to add that Tió de Nadal goes by the moniker Caga Tió, which is short for sh*t log.
4. Mop heads and brooms
Because Norwegians are somewhat superstitious and wish to keep bad spirits from snatching the brooms and taking joyrides in the Christmas sky, they hide their mops and brooms during the holiday. This isn't because they don't want to clean.
5. Spiders for Christmas
There is such a thing as a Christmas spider, despite popular belief. You need not be alarmed; the spider web decorations that are used to adorn Christmas trees in Ukraine are believed to bring good fortune. The story begins with a poor woman who was unable to buy decorations to adorn her tree. When she woke up the following morning, she saw that her tree was covered with spider webs, which sparkled and looked lovely in the sunshine.
Some nations, such as Germany or Poland, believe that seeing a spider or spider web in a Christmas tree is auspicious.
6. The mailbox of Santa
We've all probably written Santa a letter at some point, but did you realize that he has an address? His mailbox is located in Canada, and he will respond to correspondence sent to him by December 16 in more than 30 languages, including Braille.
To Santa Claus, North Pole H0H 0H0, Canada, simply mail your letter. Santa is amazing, so it's free and doesn't require stamps. The North Pole's zip code is also the same.
R
7. Pickles for Christmas
Pickles should be your favorite Christmas decoration since they signify you will receive an extra gift. In many nations, a pickle-shaped ornament is hidden in the tree and the person who discovers it will receive an additional gift or just good fortune.
Although the origin of the practice is unknown, I believe we may accept it as long as we receive the extra gift.
Read Also: What are some trendy Christmas Eve outfits for teens and women in 2025?
8. Orienting Stars
In many regions of the world, such as Poland and Ukraine, the best time to open gifts is dictated by the stars. The smallest kid must observe the nighttime sky and wait for the first star to appear, which is the cue that it is time to start opening the presents. (If it's cloudy, it seems like someone simply chooses the appropriate moment.)
9. Pudding for Christmas
Pudding is a favorite Christmas treat that comes in a variety of flavors and consistency. Pudding not only cheers people up in Slovakia and parts of Ukraine, but it also has the ability to foretell the future. The eldest male family member will take a spoonful of loksa pudding and toss it at the ceiling. Your luck will increase with the number of pudding sticks. It's as easy as that.
10. Duck, Donald
The "Donald Duck Special" for Christmas is a significant Swedish custom. All of the celebrations are scheduled around this hour-long TV program, which airs at 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve, so that families may watch it together.
11. Monsters for Christmas
In addition to its cheerful and festive splendor, Christmas also appears to be the time for monsters to remind children to behave well for at least one month of the year. Jólakötturinn, the Icelandic Christmas cat, is among the more unexpected members of this "Christmas Police."
It sounds adorable, but it's not what it looks, much like a particular log: Children who neglected their work and, as a result, were not given new clothes for Christmas are the ones who Jólakötturinn devours. Merry Christmas!
12. Skating on rollers
Caracas, the capital of Venezuela, wins the title of Coolest Mode of Christmas Transportation: There, people roller-skate instead of just walking to Christmas liturgy (Christmas?). To ensure that everyone can skate to church safely, certain areas of the city are even closed off.
Nora Hazel
No comments