The 6 most curious Christmas traditions around the globe
In some countries, parents choose to dress up as Santa Claus, in other families wait to December 25th to open presents. In the world there are many common ways to celebrate and enjoy with loved ones this time of the year.
However, in some countries there are traditions that would never cross your mind. Would you like to know a few? Then, keep reading…
- UK:Brits hang up mistletoe around their houses. Mistletoe is a plant said to protect and bring good luck for the rest of the year. Mistletoe is a Christmas trademark in this country and people who stand together under the mistletoe are supposed to kiss as a good omen for the next few months.
- Belgium:Santa Claus visits the children on December 4th to check that their behavior has been correct during the year. A few days later, those who have been good get gifts and candy. Those who have not been that good get a branch on their shoes.
- Iceland:Icelanders do not have a traditional Santa Claus. Instead, they have 13 Jólasveinar (similar to trolls), each of them a mini-version of Santa Claus. The 13 Jólasveinar visit children 13 days before Chirstmas’ Eve (one each day) dropping gifts or rotten potatoes on their Christmas stokings, depending on what they deserve for their behavior during the year.
- Latvia: In this country is customary to recite a poem before picking up each Christmas present from the tree on December 24th.
- Russia:At Christmas dinner Russians prepare 12 different dishes representing each apostle. The main one being fish with beet soup. On New Year’s Day, children are visited by the Ice Grandfather (the Russian Santa Claus) and the Snow Girl, who are in charge of giving gifts away.
- Germany: Santa Claus gets up really early in Germany as he visits children on the 5th and 6th of December to start delivering gifts. However, they are not allowed to open them until December the 24th.In New Year’s Eve Russians also use fireworks to ward evil spirits off.
