These crazy Christmas traditions can truly surprise. How is Christmas celebrated in different countries?
Iceland: The Christmas cat that devours children
In Iceland, Christmas is not just a time for love.
In many places, children prepare for the visit of Santa Claus. While Germans have a chubby bearded man rewarding good children, Icelanders approach this story quite the opposite way.
On the island of fire and ice, the Christmas Cat Yolakotturinn, known for devouring children, plans mischief during Christmas. This pet of the witch Grýla frightens children before Christmas and sometimes causes trouble.
Slovakia: Pudding as a lucky charm
What will the upcoming year bring?
Actually, the situation can only improve – at least, everyone hopes so. Men in Slovakia don't just hope; they want to help their luck with a Christmas tradition, especially prevalent in the rural areas of this Eastern European country.
The pudding called "Loksa" is traditionally served for dessert at Christmas. Hosts don't eat it; instead, they throw it onto the ceiling with a spoon. The honor of throwing it first goes to the eldest man in the family.
The rule is: the more pudding sticks to the ceiling, the happier the person will be in the next year.
Norway: Down with Brooms
Superstitions also shape Christmas traditions in Norway. Witches must be plentiful there. To prevent them from disrupting the peaceful gift-giving due to the temptation of household brooms, Norwegians especially hide them well.
They actually put away all brooms, brushes, and mops during the Christmas period.
A positive side effect: there won't be any cleaning on Christmas for sure. That's how crazy Christmas traditions are in Norway.
Japan: Christmas Eve at KFC
Bratwurst with potato salad, roast goose, or a family recipe: in Germany and many other countries, Christmas is a real pleasure. Because when the whole family gathers, it's worth celebrating accordingly.
Japanese people share the same sentiment. However, on Christmas Eve, they rarely eat at home. Since the 1970s, residents of Japan have flocked to KFC every Christmas. The chicken restaurant has embraced this curious trend and even offers a special Christmas menu.
Poland: Lavish feast without meat
In Poland, the most essential thing for Christmas is ample space in the stomach.
Traditionally, on Christmas Eve, twelve dishes are served. This tradition stems from two sources: the twelve apostles of Jesus and the twelve months in a year, both celebrated during the grand holiday in December.
Interestingly, many Polish families also abstain from meat on Christmas, following the Christian fasting tradition. However, fish is allowed, so the Polish Christmas menu often includes carp. Additionally, the feast doesn't commence until the first star appears in the sky.
Brazil: When Santa Claus arrives by helicopter
Brazilians showcase their love for the loud and grand during Carnival, and they bring the same spirit to Christmas. Hence, it's no surprise that Brazilian Santa Claus also rings in the Christmas season loudly.
In the presence of around 200,000 cheering people, he lands by helicopter at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, distributing gifts while a colorful and lively party unfolds around him. By the way, in families, presents are usually exchanged only after the midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.
Related topics:
In contrast to the chilly Yule cat in Iceland, Holidays in Germany often involve a chubby bearded man rewarding good children. However, the Christmas Cat Yolakotturinn in Iceland is known for frightening children before Christmas, planning mischief and sometimes causing trouble.
While Japan has embraced the tradition of flocking to KFC on Christmas Eve since the 1970s, Germans continue to celebrate Christmas with a real pleasure, gathering their entire family and enjoying a feast that typically includes dishes like bratwurst with potato salad or roast goose.
