UNIQUE CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Posted: December 16, 2024 at 10:12 am

Do you have a unique holiday tradition?  Check out some of these from around the globe.

• British Polar Bear Plunge: Hundreds of people in Brighton, England schedule a Christmas Day dip every year – wearing just a swimsuit and a Santa hat. It is also practiced in London, Dublin, and many other cold places around the world.
•  Japanese KFC Feast: While Christmas is not a huge celebration in Japan, a fairly new tradition has emerged in which families enjoy a feast of Kentucky Fried Chicken on Christmas Day.
•  Norwegian Hiding of the Brooms: Dating back centuries, the act of hiding all the brooms in the house is said to deprive the witches and evil spirits of finding something to ride on.
• Venezuelan Roller Skate Tour: Before some people in Caracas head home to enjoy their Christmas feast of , hundreds head to church on roller skates. Roads are closed to cars so people can safely partake in this unique annual tradition
•  Czech Shoe-Throw for Love: Young unmarried women are said to predict their romantic futures by standing with their backs to their house and tossing a shoe over their shoulder. If the toe points toward the door, wedding bells might be ringing soon, but if it points away, they’ll need to wait another year for true love. Family and friends gather to watch this playful tradition.
• Eat Fried Caterpillars in South Africa: The Pine Tree Emperor Moth — also known as the Christmas caterpillar — is covered in different colors and is said to give a little extra luck in the New Year to all those who eat it. It is considered a delicacy by those who partake. (I’ll stick with ham, thanks…!)
• View the Yule Goat in Sweden: People construct a giant straw goat, which is over 42 feet high, 23 feet wide, and weighs over 3 tons. A live stream of the event is available until the New Year.
• Austrian Krampus Parade: While St. Nicholas rewards nice boys and girls with presents, his evil accomplice, Krampus, is said to capture the naughty children and take them away in a sack. The half-man, half-goat costume is designed to frighten kids during the parade, which has grown in popularity across Europe. (…and on that happy note, Happy Holidays!)