Christmas is a different kind of holiday for everyone. Some treat it as a simple break from work, some as a family gathering, some can’t wait for it as they see it as the best time of the year. Christmas is mostly associated with building a snowman, a warm chimney, a cup of hot chocolate and cosy socks along with decorating the Christmas tree, baking holiday cookies and opening presents. That’s the image we’re used to, but how is Christmas celebrated around the world?
Some traditions remain the same no matter where you live, like singing carols, decorating the Christmas tree, and making advent calendars. Other Christmas traditions around the world may surprise you, and others you might want to skip! How about waking up to find rotten potatoes left in your shoes by a mischievous Father Christmas? Or Kentucky Fried Chicken for your Christmas dinner? Believe it or not, those are actual Christmas traditions around the world.
From Christmas by the beach with fresh seafood in New Zealand, to hot porridge that keeps families warm during the cold Finland winter, you'll discover just how different these global holiday traditions are. What's more, we think you'll wow your family during your Christmas party with all of the following interesting Christmas trivia.
Sweden
The Yule Goat has been a Swedish Christmas symbol dating back to ancient pagan festivals. However, in 1966 the tradition got a whole new life after someone came up with the idea to make a giant straw goat, now referred to as the Gävle Goat. The goat is more than 42 feet high, 23 feet wide, and weighs 3.6 tons. Each year, the massive goat is constructed in the same spot.
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Philippines
Every year, the city of San Fernando holds Ligligan Parul (or Giant Lantern Festival) featuring dazzling parols (lanterns) that symbolize the Star of Bethlehem. Each parol consists of thousands of spinning lights that illuminate the night sky. The festival has made San Fernando the "Christmas Capital of the Philippines."
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Japan
Although Christmas isn't a national holiday in Japan its citizens still find an interesting and delicious way to celebrate. Rather than gathering around the table for a turkey dinner, families head out to their local Kentucky Fried Chicken. The tradition began in 1974 after a wildly successful marketing campaign called "Kentucky for Christmas!" The fast food chain has maintained its yuletide popularity, causing some people to order their boxes months in advance or stand in two-hour-long lines to get their "finger lickin' good" food.
Iceland
Similar to the 12 days of Christmas in the U.S., Iceland celebrates 13. Each night before Christmas, Icelandic children are visited by the 13 Yule Lads. After placing their shoes by the window, the little ones will head upstairs to bed. In the morning, they'll either have received candy (if they're good) or be greeted with shoes full of rotten potatoes if they're bad. And you thought coal was a terrible gift!
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Finland
On Christmas morning, Finish families traditionally eat a porridge made of rice and milk topped with cinnamon, milk, or butter. Whoever finds the almond placed inside one of the puddings "wins"—but some families cheat and hide a few almonds so the kids don't get upset. At the end of the day, it is customary to warm up in a sauna together.
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New Zealand
Because summer falls during Christmastime for Kiwis, a number of their traditions centre around a barbie, or grill, where families and friends gather for a casual cookout of fresh seafood, meat, and seasonal vegetables. The New Zealand Christmas tree is the Pohutukawa, a coastal species that blooms a bright-red colour in December, providing shade during the sunny days as they sing carols in both English and Māori.
Poland
On Christmas Eve in Poland, many families share opłatek (an unleavened religious wafer), each person breaking off a piece as they wish each other Merry Christmas. Dinner may not begin until the first star appears in the night sky and, traditionally, an extra setting is left at the table should someone show up uninvited.
The Netherlands
Sinterklaas is the Dutch name for Saint Nicholas, the man recognized by children by his long white beard, red cape, and red miter. Kids put a shoe by the chimney or back door and wake up on Christmas morning to find treats like gingerbread men, marzipan, and chocolate letters inside.
South Africa
While the traditions around South Africa vary by region and culture, most families come together for a cookout, called braaing on the holiday. Marinated steaks and boerewors sausages serve as the main course, followed by a customary dessert of malva pudding (pictured) served with a custard. Traditional fir Christmas trees are decorated with a variety of baubles included hand-beaded African ornaments.
Mexico
All across Mexico members of the Church put on Pastorelas (Shepherd's Plays) to retell the Christmas story. The Mexican Christmas season begins early in December with Las Posadas, a religious march that re-enacts the journey of Mary and Joseph. The vibrant red poinsettia flowers are also used in holiday arrangements for decoration throughout the country. Pictured: a traditional Christmas and New Year parade in Chilpancingo, Guerrero state, Mexico.
Although Christmas was originally a Christian holiday, it has spread all over the world as one of the main annual events in many countries. Regardless of where celebrated, how people decorate their homes or what they do on this occasion, Christmas is about bringing peace and unity in families across the world.
Zofia Juchniewicz
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