From stockings to Santa Claus himself, some Christmas traditions are a bit bizarre when you think about it. Yet, these little things, however quirky, are what make the holiday season so special. Look overseas, and you’ll find even more unusual Christmas customs, characters, and items on the menu! Here’s our rundown of the weirdest, most wonderful Christmas traditions around the world.
Sweden: Yule Goat
The Yule Goat is a Swedish Christmas symbol that dates back to ancient Pagan festivals. Typically made of straw (a nod to the straw in the manger of baby Jesus), these goats have more recently been made to guard the Christmas tree. The city of Gävle takes the tradition particularly seriously, and since 1966 has built a 43-foot straw goat in the town center at the start of advent every year!
Germany and Austria: Bad Santa
In Austria and Germany, it isn’t just Santa Claus checking if you’ve been naughty or nice! Well-behaved children will be visited by Saint Nicholas but others may meet his far less jolly accomplice. According to Alpine folklore, a devilish character called Krampus seeks out and punishes naughty children throughout the festive period. The mythical beast is hairy with hooves and large horns.
Caracas: Get Your Skates On
In Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela, residents travel to Christmas mass on roller skates! The tradition is now so well-established that many of the city’s streets are closed to traffic from 8 a.m. so that congregations on wheels can get to church safely. It’s not clear where the custom came from, but some say it is a warm-weather alternative to the fun of sledding in snow!
Greenland: Festive Delicacies
If you think brussels sprouts are bad, try eating Christmas dinner in Greenland! One traditional Christmas dish, mattak, is raw whale skin with blubber and often has to be swallowed whole because it is too tough to chew. Another is kiviak, which is when an auk (a small sea bird) is wrapped in seal skin and left to ferment for several months before eating.
Japan: Kentucky for Christmas!
Perhaps a little more appetizing is the traditional Christmas dinner of Japan: fried chicken. Yes, on Christmas Day, families treat themselves to a meal from KFC! Back in the 1970s, the American food chain launched a seasonal advertising campaign in Japan. The simple slogan ‘Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!’ (Kentucky for Christmas!) led to a national tradition that some still follow today.
The Netherlands: Shoes Off
In the Netherlands, children receive presents a little earlier than they do in the USA. In the days leading up to the feast day of Saint Nicolas on December 6th, Dutch children place their shoes by the fire in the hope that Sinterklaas (Saint Nicolas) will fill them with treats during the night before his feast day. Sometimes, naughty children would find potatoes in their shoes instead of gifts!
Ukraine: Christmas Cobwebs
If you’re scared of spiders, steer clear of Ukraine in the holiday season where Christmas trees are traditionally decorated with a fake spider and cobwebs. The custom comes from an old wives’ tale about a poor woman who couldn’t afford to decorate her tree. She woke up on Christmas morning to find a spider had covered it in a glittering web! The tradition may have led to modern-day tinsel.
Oaxaca: Looks Radishing
Carving vegetables isn’t just for Halloween – in Mexico they do it for Christmas too! In the city of Oaxaca, December 23rd is also known as ‘The Night of the Radishes.’ On this day, it’s customary for competitors to carve nativity scenes into large radishes, which are displayed at the Christmas market. Oaxaca even has land dedicated to growing vegetables especially for this event.
Italy: Bewitching Befana
In many countries like Spain, festive gift-giving takes place for the feast of the Epiphany on January 6th. In Italy, the presents are delivered to children (if they’ve been good) by an old woman or witch named Befana. Just like Santa Claus, Befana enters through the chimney and is left treats by the family who lives there, like wine and local delicacies.
New Zealand: Alternative Christmas Trees
If you receive a Christmas card from New Zealand, it might be illustrated with a pohutukawa rather than a fir tree. This beautiful tree’s bright crimson flowers are in bloom in December and January on the island, and so has become part of the traditional Kiwi Christmas. It features in decorations, on cards and in the songs that children sing at school.
We hope this list comes in handy if you’re traveling this holiday season, or if you want to introduce a new Christmas tradition of your own!
Matilda is Marketing Manager in the International Team, bringing Zazzle to customers everywhere from Sydney to Stockholm.
