Weird Christmas Traditions You Never Knew Existed

Hi everyone 👋🏼

How was your week like? Mine was great. ☺️

It's another episode of the Around the World Series. In this episode, we are going to discover the most unusual ways Christmas is celebrated around the world. Let's go!

Japan:

Even though the predominant religion in Japan isn't Christianity, the Japanese love to get a nice bowl of KFC on Christmas day. The tradition started as a marketing ad where the people were encouraged to get KFC for Christmas --"Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!"

Now that I think about it, I want to work in a KFC, in Japan.

Philippines:

In the Philippines, people gather to set up beautiful patterned lanterns called parol, which are made from bamboo and other materials. It is used to signify the star of Bethlehem. It kinda gives the vibes of the glass windows of a catholic church– A very old one!

Austria & Germany:

Did you know that Santa Claus aka St. Nicholas, had a twin? An evil one for that matter? Yes, he has a twin and his name is Krampus. Krampus the Hircus.

He's a hideous fictional character with a half man half goat body that does the complement of what Santa Claus. If you're naughty and cause mischief, Krampus is coming for ya. He snatches you and hurls you to hell and may even beat the hell out of you (see where this is going?). If this doesn't motivate you to be good, I don't know what will.

Czechia:

Are you single?

Are you searching?

Do not be dismayed; for your time has come. When all your searching finally comes to an end! Your wishes would finally be granted!

All you need is a stiletto. A fricking stiletto.

With your powerful stiletto in one hand, stand facing a door and throw your stiletto in the opposite direction. If the toe of the stiletto faces the door, then congratulations, you're about to become a Mrs. And if not, good luck next year.

I wonder if the men also throw their shoes.

Do they still do this anyways?

Ukraine:

Oh I love the way this country's name plays in my head. What I love more is their stunning Spiderweb decorations for Christmas trees! They come in variety of materials– metal, paper and crystal.

These decorations were widely adopted from the folklore of the poor family whose undecorated Christmas tree was covered with spiders. Overnight, the spiderwebs that were woven became gold and silver.

Norway:

If you're an evil spirit, unfortunately for you, you can't have a hitch in the Norwegian sky on Christmas day because there'll be no brooms and mops. You had better go back to the planet you came from, cause there's a massive curfew on mops.

Norwegians like to hide their mops and brooms every Christmas day to prevent evil spirits from using them to move in the sky.

My advise for the evil spirits, just find another country or something.

Venezuela:
Going to masses on Christmas day in Venezuela is such a sight to behold! People pan the road with their roller skates on, as they go to mass.

Nigeria:

There are these hideous masquerades that move on the road, demanding money from strangers. Most times, if you don't give them the money, you end up getting beaten with a whip. Many people get injured or bruised in the process. This tradition or menace if you like goes on in the South eastern part of Nigeria. Some are children who go from compound to compound, as long as your gate is wide open, drumming and playing flute, asking for money.

While some people might enjoy these practices, I find it really annoying when someone comes in my house uninvited and starts making noise and demands money for it or beats me in public because I didn't want to support you wearing a fetish costume.

Australia and New Zealand:

It's summer during Christmas Time in these two countries, so they throw beach parties instead.

USA:

People make or buy ugly ornaments and exchange them on Christmas Eve then hang them on a Christmas tree.

Ethiopia:

A popular Christmas Day pastime is the traditional sport Yeferas Guks. This game, based on a centuries-old hunting tradition, is played on horseback with players throwing ceremonial spears to knock opponents off their horses.

I hope you enjoyed reading about these weird traditions with me, cause I enjoyed it a lot.

Thanks for staying with me.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 🎊