12 Weird Christmas Traditions You Probably Never Heard Of

When it comes to Christmas, we usually think of the joyous festivities, exchanging gifts, and spending time with loved ones. However, there are some peculiar customs and traditions observed in different parts of the world that might leave you scratching your head.

Let’s take a look at some of the strange and unusual things people do to celebrate Christmas.

1. The Yule Lads – Mischievous Icelandic Visitors

In Iceland, instead of Santa Claus, children are visited by a group of mischievous characters called the Yule Lads. Each day leading up to Christmas, a different Yule Lad arrives to play pranks or leave small gifts in children’s shoes.

2. The Caganer – A Pooping Statue in Catalonia

In Catalonia, Spain, it is customary to include a figurine known as the Caganer in nativity scenes. This unique addition depicts a person squatting and defecating, symbolizing fertilization and luck for the coming year.

3. Gävle Goat – A Giant Straw Goat

Every year in Gävle, Sweden, a massive straw goat is constructed in the town square. The goal is to protect and maintain the goat until Christmas, but it often falls victim to arsonists who try to burn it down before the holiday arrives.

4. Krampus – Santa’s Terrifying Companion

In parts of Austria, Bavaria, and other European countries, Krampus accompanies St. Nicholas on December 5th to scare children who misbehave. Krampus, a devilish creature with horns and a long tongue, is said to punish naughty kids.

5. Roller-Skating to Church in Venezuela

In Caracas, Venezuela, it is a tradition to roller-skate to early morning Christmas church services. The roads are even closed to cars to ensure that people can skate safely to the church.

6. The Night of the Radishes in Mexico

In Oaxaca, Mexico, they celebrate the Night of the Radishes on December 23rd. This unique event involves carving intricate sculptures out of radishes and putting them on display.

7. KFC Christmas Dinner in Japan

In Japan, it has become a tradition to have Kentucky Fried Chicken for Christmas dinner. The popularity of this tradition is so high that people often pre-order their KFC meals months in advance.

8. The Pickle Ornament in Germany

German families hide a pickle ornament in their Christmas tree, and the first child to find it on Christmas morning receives a special gift or is said to have good luck for the upcoming year.

9. The Giant Lantern Festival in the Philippines

In the city of San Fernando in the Philippines, they hold an annual Giant Lantern Festival, where participants compete to create the most magnificent lantern display.

10. The Witch of Christmas in Italy

In Italy, there is a tradition of La Befana, a friendly witch who delivers presents to children on Epiphany Eve. It is said that she brings gifts to make up for missing Baby Jesus when the Wise Men visited.

11. Spider Webs for Good Luck in Ukraine

In Ukraine, it is believed that finding a spider web on Christmas morning brings good luck. Some families even decorate their Christmas trees with artificial spider webs to attract luck and wealth.

12. The Dipping Tradition in Greece

In Greece, a cross is thrown into the sea, river, or lake, and young men dive in to retrieve it. It is believed that the one who retrieves the cross will have good luck for the year.

These are just a few examples of the strange and fascinating Christmas traditions that exist around the world. It’s incredible how diverse and unique our celebrations can be. What unusual customs do you have in your family or community? Share them with me in the comments below!

‘Tis the time for cheer! You know exactly what time it is. It’s everywhere you look. Keep reading for more information.

1. Let’s Get Merry with Christmas in India

In India, Christians make up only about 2.3% of the whole population. But with their massive numbers, we’re talking about 25 million people! Just like the rest of the world, Christians in India celebrate Christmas with midnight mass and exchanging gifts. However, instead of the usual fir or pine trees for decorations, they get creative with banana trees and mango trees.

That’s right! Instead of seeing rows of Christmas trees in Indian homes, you’ll find beautifully adorned banana or mango trees illuminating the streets. They even use the leaves of these trees to decorate their houses.

2. Throw Your Shoes and Tie the Knot in the Czech Republic

If you’re tired of spending Christmas alone, here’s something fun you can try: stand with your back to the door and toss a shoe over your shoulder on Christmas day! If the shoe lands with the toe pointing towards the door, congratulations! You’ll be getting married soon! It’s hard to say exactly when you’ll meet your prince charming, though.

3. KFC’s Christmas Tradition in Japan

Believe it or not, in Japan, Kentucky Fried Chicken has become as essential to Christmas as turkey is in other parts of the world. It may sound strange, but this unusual tradition has been deeply ingrained in Japanese culture for over 40 years, thanks to a clever marketing campaign by KFC. From one generation to the next, Japanese families have embraced the tradition of enjoying a bucket of Colonel’s Chicken on Christmas, even though it started as a commercial endeavor.

(Image Source: katjamueller)

Did you know that in Japan, Christmas means one thing – KFC? Yes, you heard it right. During Christmas, over 240,000 barrels of chicken are sold, which is five to ten times more than the usual monthly sales. It’s safe to say that Christmas and KFC go hand in hand in Japan.

4. Christmas Cakes (Japan)

Now, let’s talk about another Christmas food tradition in Japan – the Christmas cake. These cakes are not your ordinary cakes. They are sponge cakes with layers of whipped cream, chocolate, and strawberries on top. People start ordering these delectable treats months in advance, and they are enjoyed on Christmas Eve. However, once the clock strikes midnight on the 25th, any unsold cake becomes unwanted.

Can you believe that single Japanese women over the age of 25 used to be called Christmas Cakes? Yikes! It’s pretty harsh, right?

5. A Christmas to Remember (Finland)

In Finland, families have a special tradition on Christmas Eve. They visit the graves of their ancestors and relatives to remember them. It’s a way to show respect and keep their memories alive. Even if they can’t visit their family’s graves, they still go to cemeteries to light candles. The whole place looks so beautiful with all the candles glowing.

(Image Source: Huffington Post)

When Christmas arrives, it’s not just about the presents and the decorations – it’s also about the traditions that make this holiday so rich and meaningful. Every country has its own unique way of celebrating this special time of the year.

For example, in some parts of Indonesia, they follow a tradition called “Tumbu Kambing.” This tradition involves sacrificing a goat and distributing the meat to the entire community. In doing so, they believe that they are sharing the blessings and prosperity of the season with everyone around them.

In South Africa, Christmas is celebrated with a lively street parade known as “Klopse.” This vibrant event brings people together to sing, dance, and showcase their artistic talents. It’s a colorful spectacle that captures the joy and spirit of Christmas.

Another interesting tradition can be found in China, where some families decorate their Christmas trees with paper lanterns and flowers instead of the usual ornaments. This unique twist adds an enchanting touch to the festive atmosphere.

The Mexican tradition of “Noche de Rabanos” is a truly remarkable sight. On the night of December 23, locals carve intricate sculptures out of radishes and display them at the town square. This creative tradition showcases the incredible talent and creativity of the people.

Meanwhile, in Vietnam, Christmas is celebrated by visiting the local church, attending midnight mass, and enjoying a festive feast with family and friends. It’s a time of coming together and spreading love and joy.

These are just a few examples of the diverse and fascinating Christmas traditions around the world. Each one offers a unique glimpse into different cultures and ways of celebrating. Whether it’s sharing a meal with the deceased, tying strings to toes, or parading through the streets, these traditions add depth and meaning to the holiday season.

(Image Source: Mike Hartz)

Can you believe it? Streets were shut down until 8 a.m., and guess what for? Roller-skating! Yup, people would hit the streets on their roller skates and do their thing until it was time for the service. And get this, they had a little tradition of tugging on any strings they saw hanging around. Pretty weird, huh?

A Bizarre Swedish Tradition: Letting the Goat Live Until Christmas

Okay, now here’s a strange one. In the town square of Gavle, they used to put up this massive 13-meter tall goat. But get this – every year, at the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, the thing would go up in flames! It’s like they just couldn’t catch a break with that poor goat.

But here’s the crazy part – they never gave up. Year after year, they kept rebuilding that goat. And believe it or not, there were always people trying to burn it down. By 2011, that goat had already been burned down a whopping 25 times! It was such a big deal that bookmakers even started taking bets on whether the goat would survive or not. Talk about a fiery tradition!

Let me make it clear, the town doesn’t want the goat to be burned down; in fact, back in 2001, an American tourist actually went to jail and was fined for successfully doing so.

8. A Spidey Christmas (Ukraine)

In Ukraine, instead of using glittering ornaments and tinsel, Christmas trees are adorned with artificial spiders and cobwebs. You might wonder, why the strange choice of spiders? Well, according to local folklore, there was once a poor woman who couldn’t afford to decorate her Christmas tree.

However, the next morning, her children woke up to find the tree covered in webs. And when the first rays of Christmas morning sun shone on the threads, they magically turned into gold and silver. From that day on, the family was never in need again. That’s why it’s believed that spotting a spider web on Christmas morning brings good luck.

(Image Source: Robin L. D. Rees)

The Christmas Sauna (Finland)

Did you know that in Finland, many families have their very own sauna? It’s a special place because it’s said to be home to a sauna ‘elf’ who keeps it safe and makes sure everyone behaves. And on Christmas Eve, something unique happens – we all go to the sauna, get undressed, and have a relaxing soak in the warm steam. It’s a time to unwind and let go of all our worries.

But there’s more! Once the sun sets, the sauna transforms into a sacred space for the spirits of our ancestors. It’s a time to honor and remember those who came before us. It’s a way to connect with our roots and show respect for the people who made our lives possible. It’s a beautiful tradition that brings us closer to our family and our past.

(Image Source: Destination 360)

10. No Sock Stuffing Here! (Philippines)

In the Philippines, Christmas is a big deal because 80% of us are Christians. We celebrate all the way until January! Instead of hanging stockings, we have a fun tradition where children leave their shiny shoes and clean socks on the window sills. We do this because we believe that the Three Kings will come to our homes at night and leave presents for us. This special event, known as the “Feast of the Three Kings,” marks the end of our Christmas celebrations.

11. Pudding & Dreams (Britain)

When it comes to Christmas pudding in Britain, it’s not just about enjoying it on the big day. There are special traditions surrounding the pudding-making process that add a touch of magic to the festivities. In my family, and many others, we have a special ritual: everyone, especially the children, takes turns stirring the mixture clockwise while making a secret wish.

(Image Source: 99holidays)

Back in the day, there were some interesting traditions surrounding the creation of a Christmas pudding. People would toss a coin into the mix, and if you found it in your serving, it was said to bring you wealth and good fortune. They also added a ring for those seeking luck in marriage and a thimble for good luck in life. It was like a little treasure hunt in your dessert!

12. Santa’s Special Postal Code – H0H 0H0

Do you know where to send your letters to Santa? Some people think it’s the North Pole or Santa’s workshop, but the truth is, Santa has his very own postal code – H0H 0H0 (that’s H-zero-H-zero). And guess what? It’s in Canada! You see, Canada has alphanumeric postal codes, and Santa’s special code makes sure that all the letters (the ones that parents aren’t supposed to see) find their way to him. Before this special code existed, kids’ letters could get lost in the mail because there wasn’t an official address for dear old Santa Claus.

(Image source: The Big Red Box)

Can you believe it? For the last 30 years, I, along with thousands of other volunteers from Canada Post, have been playing a little secret Santa of our own. Every year, we have the incredible privilege of helping Santa Claus himself respond to one million letters from children all over the world. And get this – Santa’s replies come in not just one language, but many! We make sure to answer in different languages, including Braille. How amazing is that?