In the more than 160 countries that celebrate Christmas, including those where Christianity is not the main religion, cultural diversity translates into different traditions — some quite unusual.
Our country is no exception: Portugal has a slightly unusual Christmas tradition on its list: in some regions of the country, it is customary to leave empty seats on the table ‘reserved’ for your loved ones who have died recently — in the same way that South Koreans do it on the birthdays of deceased relatives.
In other regions, tradition dictates that, after Christmas dinner, the table must remain untouched throughout the night, as a sign of respect for family members who have passed away.
But around the world there are some much more unusual Christmas traditions. A collected some of them.
Christmas nativity scene improper in Catalonia
Christmas nativity scenes in Catalonia are not at all conventional. Hidden among the traditional characters, such as Baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph and the different animals, is the caganer.
O caganer It’s a little dollcuddled up doing his thing needsand which often portrays famous people — from politicians to football players. It is very common to see the figure with pants down in the background in nativity scenes.
The tradition did not begin as an act of protest against the government, as we might imagine. According to historians, the custom has existed since the 18th century, and the image symbolizes the fertilization of the land, bringing prosperity.
It’s also fun for children, who are challenged to find the caganer hidden in the middle of the nativity scene.
‘German’ pickles in the US
Christmas for families in the Midwest includes the lovely tradition of Christmas pickleor Christmas pickles.
This tradition dictates that a pickle-shaped ornament be hung on the Christmas tree. Adults disguise the ornament among the branches of the tree — and the first child to find it in the morning wins a candy.
German descendants say that it is a tradition that their ancestors brought from Europe, but a study carried out by the YouGov institute in November 2016 concluded that 91% of Germans have never heard of this habit in the country.
Fried chicken dinner in Japan
Many Japanese consider themselves Buddhists, Shintoists or both. Therefore, Christmas traditions in the country are unusual.
In recent years, however, an unusual habit has gained more and more followers: eat fried chicken on Christmas Day. Around 3.6 million families insist on following this tradition.
American restaurant and fast-food chains saw their business prosper in the country, and even created a special menu for the occasion.
Demand is so high that restaurants recommend ordering chicken at least a week in advance.
Christmas is in January in Moscow and Kiev
If we want to wish our Russian or Ukrainian friends a Merry Christmas, it might be wise to wait a little longer. As in 13 other countries with a strong presence of Orthodox Christians, they celebrate the date on January 7th.
These countries follow the Julian calendar, created in 45 BC, instead of the Gregorian calendar, established by Catholic Pope Gregory XIII in 1582.
There is a 13 day difference between the two calendars, which explains why Christmas is not celebrated on December 25th.
Mischievous elves in Iceland
According to a 2007 study, more than 54% of people in Iceland believe in leprechauns.
The elves in question are the Yule Ladsmen dressed as elves who visit children across the country during the festive period, leaving gifts in shoes hanging in the windows.
Burning a goat in Sweden
Since 1966, the Swedish city of Gävle, about 100 kilometers north of Stockholm, has been building a giant straw goatsymbol of the celebration of Christmas in Scandinavia. But the tradition leaves city authorities on alert.
Destroying the 13-meter-tall goat has become an informal tradition. Over the past 40 years, the giant sculpture has been burned 29 times — most recently in 2016.
Skate and pray in Venezuela
The Christian faithful never fail to attend Christmas mass in Venezuela, a tradition inherited from Spain. But in some neighborhoods, people get together to skate, in what are called “skates“.
Local churches often organize night festivals where children skateboard, rollerblade and bike after attending mass. The streets are closed to traffic, so everyone can have fun safely.
Shoes and wedding in the Czech Republic
Christmas in the Czech Republic is also a time when single women who want to get married try to find out what the future holds for them.
According to a popular superstition, women should position themselves with their backs to the door and throw a shoe over your shoulder. If the shoe lands facing the door, it is a sign that you will get married soon.
But when the shoe points in the opposite direction, it’s a sign that you’ll remain single — for at least another year.
Christmas radish in Mexico
The city of Oaxaca, Mexico, is the stage for a traditional event that precedes Christmas. On December 23, the Mexican city hosts a public exhibition of sculptures made from radish, including Christmas nativity scenes.
The event usually brings together thousands of people.
Austrians scare little children
Forget Halloween. In Austria, the best time to scare your friends is the first week of December — when tradition dictates that people get together. fantasy the Krampus. This mythological creature, similar to a devil, is Santa Claus’s helper.
But instead of giving gifts to well-behaved children, Krampus punishes those who were disobedient, naughty and didn’t eat soup during the year — by capturing them and sealing them in a bag.
So, at this time of year, men and women put on their scariest masks to scare little children.
So, a Merry Christmas to everyone!
