Have you ever wondered what Christmas looks like around the world? Well here are some very interesting traditions!
Kentucky Fried Chicken ~ Japan
After a successful campaign in the 1970’s KFC has been one of the most popular Christmas dinners in Japan. This traditional dinner became so popular around the Christmas holiday, you have to order your meals months in advance. Followed by the traditional dinner is a popular Japanese Christmas cake, a white sponge cake with cream decorated with strawberries.
Giant Lantern Festival ~ Philippines
The Giant Lantern Festival is held in the Philippines in December, on the Saturday before Christmas Eve. Due to the popularity of the festival the city it is held in (San Fernando) was nicknamed “ Christmas Capital of the Philippines”. Eleven villages take part in this festival which everyone takes part. Each lantern is supposed to light up like a kaleidoscope.
Unorthodox Christmas Eve ~ Norway
Every Christmas Eve in Norway people hide their brooms. As weird as it sounds, people thought witches and other demonic creatures would steal their brooms and try to ruin Christmas. This tradition as gone back from centuries and many people still hide their brooms to this day.
Day of the Little Lights ~ Colombia
Día de las Velitas also known as the Day of Little Lights marks the Christmas season across Colombia.Candles and paper lanterns are decorated throughout their homes and yards. This tradition has become so popular, many places now have competitions!
Skating to Mass ~ Venezuela
The capital in Venezuela, Caracas, has a tradition of roller-skating to mass. Many neighborhoods close the streets from traffic. The night before Mass, children tie string with bells on the end, and as skater skate by they tug on the string. These festivities do not end there, after evening mass everyone enjoys tostados ( a fried tortilla with season meat and veggies) and coffee.
La Noche Buena ~ Peru
On December 24th, Peru celebrates La Noche Buena ( The Good Night). After La Noche Buena Mass families enjoy a family feast and open gifts around the Nativity. Peru does not celebrate with Christmas trees, they decorate Nativity scenes either in the front yard or homes. They also open gifts at midnight on Christmas Morning.
Genna ~ Ethiopia
Christmas is not a popular holiday in Ethiopia. Instead Ethiopians dress all in white and play a game of Genna ( or Ganna) which is a hockey- field like game played in teams of eight. The game is split into thirty minute halves. Whichever team with the most points in the second half wins.
Tió de Nadal ~ Catalonia
Tió de Nadal as known as the “ pooping log”. Catalonians pick a log and decorate it with a face, on Christmas Eve, then they put half of the decorated log into the fire on Christmas Eve night. Throughout the night on Catalonians beat the log with sticks.
Find the pickle ~ Germany
In Germany one of the Christmas traditions is to hide a pickle in the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve night. On Christmas morning the children hunt around the tree in hopes of finding the pickle. Traditionally the child who finds the pickle first receives a small gift or opens one of the gifts they have already received. Gift opening is usually done in the evening.
