Besides parties and gifts, many look forward to Christmas traditions when the holidays are approaching. While you may have your yearly traditions, why not try out some you’re unfamiliar with from around the globe?
Christmas Traditions from Around the World to Try With Your Family
From Christian traditions to those rooted in folklore, each place in the world celebrates the holidays in slightly different ways. You and your family also glimpse a different culture by trying out some of their holiday customs.
Here are some traditions from different countries that you can try out for Christmas:
1. Germany: Advent Calendars
Did you know that the advent calendar originated in Germany? It originated in the early 19th century when German Protestants started counting the days of Advent by burning a candle or marking walls and doors with chalk daily.
Today, we are more familiar with the modern advent calendar, where you can get a small gift or trinket to open up one slot at a time.
For Christmas this year, why make your advent calendar extra special by creating a DIY one for your family? You can include personalized notes, add small gifts, or bake small treats to include in it.
2. Mexico: Las Posadas Celebrations
During the Christmas season, Mexicans organize an annual celebration called the Las Posadas. Being a primarily Christian country, this tradition involves re-enacting the journey of Mary and Joseph, leading up to the birth of Christ, which is celebrated with parades, music, and pinatas.
You and your family can try having a simplified version of the LAs Posadas at home for Christmas. You can organize a party, eat traditional Mexican dishes, and create a DIY pinata filled with treats and small gifts for the kids.
3. Spain: Tio De Nadal
Besides the traditional Christmas tree, you can add a Christmas log to your decorations.
In many parts of Spain, gifts are delivered by the Christmas log or Tio de Nadal. It’s a long piece of wood that families decorate with a face and tiny legs.
The role of the Christmas log doesn’t end with delivering gifts to your family. You must also “feed” it at night and let it snuggle with its cozy blanket. On Christmas Eve, you place the log and “order” it or hit it with sticks so that it gives you the presents, along with small treats.
You and your family can decorate and “take care” of a Christmas log for the holiday season. Add a face and its tiny legs, and “feed” it nightly starting December 8th. It’s a fun and engaging way to give your kids and loved ones their presents come Christmas Eve.
4. Japan: An Unusual Christmas Eve Feast
Christianity is not as widespread in Japan as in the West, so the holiday doesn’t mean the same. For people living in Japan, Christmas Eve is more about lovers coming together to look at winter illuminations in the city.
Despite this, the country has also developed its unique holiday tradition: eating fried Chicken.
Over the past decades, one fast food chain’s fried chicken has been widely known as the food of choice come Christmas in Japan. It all started in the 70s when the fast food brand launched a marketing campaign called “Kentucky for Christmas,” which worked a little too well. Today, people celebrating the holiday will order buckets of Chicken to share at home while spending quality time together.
This is an unusual December tradition you can try at home, too. Although simple, it’s also an excellent way to teach your kids about the cultures and traditions of other countries. Add a bucket of fried chicken to the menu for your Christmas feast.
5. The Philippines: Parols and Christmas Lanterns
Given its Christian origins, the star is an essential symbol for Christmas. This symbol is highlighted even more in the Philippines with traditional local decorations called the “parol.”
A parol is a star-shaped lantern or hanging decoration symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem. It is designed and created with different materials such as decorative paper, foils, plastics, recycled materials, and the traditional capiz, the windowpane oyster.
You can incorporate this charming holiday decoration into your home as well. It creates a good bonding opportunity with your kids as you make your DIY parol lantern. You can guide and assist your kids in making the lantern, adding some lights, and hanging them near your windows.
6. Iceland: The Yule Lads
Iceland has a similar traditional countdown to the 12 days of Christmas in the United States. However, instead of 12, they count 13 days with the Yule Lads. This famous Christmas tradition in Iceland is rooted in folklore involving a mischievous set of characters.
This is also an easy tradition to try out with your family.
Every night, in the 13 days leading to Christmas, have your kids place their shoes by the window. The Yule Lads supposedly give good children treats they leave in their shoes at night. On the other hand, imperfect or lazy kids receive a piece of rotten potatoes.
7. Poland: Breaking the Oplatek
In Poland, one-holiday tradition many families follow is sharing an oplatek, or an unleavened wafer, on Christmas Eve. Before the Christmas meal, each family member will break a piece off the oplatek while wishing each other a Merry Christmas.
You can adopt this holiday tradition at home, too, and you don’t need to find a traditional oplatek. You can try this one for your family’s version with crackers and homemade cookies. It provides an excellent opportunity to express gratitude and well wishes for the family during the holidays.
Unique Holiday Traditions
Popular Christmas traditions from around the globe have different origins and meanings. By learning about them and trying them out this holiday season, you will also get to know and share the holiday spirit from places far away from your own.
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