Christmas, a time synonymous with joy, togetherness, and traditions, is celebrated in various fascinating ways around the globe.
While some customs involve feasting on unique delicacies, others revolve around centuries-old folklore or regional practices.
From enjoying a Kentucky Fried Chicken feast in Japan to adorning Christmas trees with spider webs in Ukraine for good luck, the spectrum of global Christmas traditions are as diverse as they are intriguing.
PUNCH METRO takes you on a journey across continents to discover seven uniquely captivating Christmas traditions that enrich the holiday season in different corners of the world.
1. Japan: KFC Feast
In Japan, enjoying a festive feast at KFC has become a popular Christmas tradition. Thanks to a successful marketing campaign in the 1970s, families often pre-order their KFC meals weeks in advance for a delicious holiday treat.
2. Ukraine: Spider Webs and Good Luck
Ukrainians decorate their Christmas trees with spider web ornaments for good fortune. Legend has it that a poor widow’s tree was covered in spider webs, which turned into precious metals on Christmas morning, inspiring this unique tradition.
3. Greenland: A Whale of a Feast
In Greenland, locals celebrate with a traditional Christmas meal centered around mattak (whale skin with blubber). This delicacy is shared among family and friends during the festive season.
4. Spain: El Gordo Lottery
Spaniards participate in the world’s largest lottery, El Gordo (“The Fat One”), on December 22nd. Families and friends buy tickets, hoping to win a share of the massive prize pool, making it an integral part of Spanish Christmas celebrations.
5. Australia: Beach Barbecues
Down under, Christmas falls during the height of summer. Aussies celebrate with beach barbecues, enjoying the sunshine, sand, and waves instead of traditional wintry scenes.
6. Ghana: National Dress on Christmas Day
Ghanaians often wear their colorful traditional clothing, known as “kente,” to church on Christmas Day. This vibrant attire adds a cultural flair to the celebrations.
7. Norway: Hiding Brooms for Witches
Norwegians have a peculiar tradition of hiding brooms on Christmas Eve. It’s believed that witches and evil spirits come out on this night, so by hiding brooms, they aim to prevent these entities from causing mischief.
These unique traditions showcase the diversity of Christmas celebrations worldwide, adding charm and intrigue to the holiday season across different cultures.
