1. Japan: Eating KFC
- Families in Japan celebrate Christmas by enjoying Kentucky Fried Chicken, a tradition that began in the 1970s with a marketing campaign.
2. Philippines: Giant Lantern Festival
- The city of San Fernando holds a festival featuring enormous, elaborate lanterns that symbolize the Star of Bethlehem.
3. Sweden: Gävle Goat
- A massive straw goat is built in Gävle, but it has often been burned down by pranksters.
4. Iceland: Yule Lads
- Icelandic children are visited by 13 mischievous Yule Lads, who leave small gifts in shoes or play pranks.
5. Norway: Hiding Brooms
- Norwegians hide their brooms to prevent witches and evil spirits from stealing them on Christmas Eve.
6. Venezuela: Roller Skating to Church
- In Caracas, people roller skate to early morning Mass, with streets closed to traffic for the occasion.
7. Austria: Krampus Night
- A frightening figure called Krampus punishes naughty children, while Saint Nicholas rewards the good ones.
8. Finland: Visiting Cemeteries
- Finns honor their departed loved ones by lighting candles and visiting cemeteries on Christmas Eve.
9. Mexico: Las Posadas
- This nine-day celebration reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter, culminating in feasts and piñatas.
10. Germany: Advent Calendar
- Germans popularized the advent calendar, often featuring small gifts or chocolates behind each door.
11. Italy: La Befana
- An old woman delivers gifts to children on Epiphany Eve, celebrating the end of the Christmas season.
12. Ukraine: Spiderweb Decorations
- Ukrainians decorate Christmas trees with artificial spiderwebs for good luck, inspired by a local legend.
13. South Africa: Fried Caterpillars
- Some South Africans enjoy fried caterpillars of the Emperor Moth as a festive treat.
14. Greenland: Kiviak
- A traditional dish made of fermented seabirds wrapped in sealskin is served during Christmas.
15. Poland: Wigilia Dinner
- Polish families prepare a 12-dish meal on Christmas Eve, representing the apostles, and share an opłatek wafer.
16. France: Yule Log Cake
- The “bûche de Noël” is a cake shaped like a log, symbolizing the ancient tradition of burning a real Yule log.
17. Czech Republic: Shoe Toss
- Single women throw a shoe over their shoulder on Christmas Day to predict if they’ll marry in the coming year.
18. Portugal: Consoda
- Families set extra places at the table for deceased relatives to include them in the celebrations.
19. Ethiopia: Genna
- Ethiopians celebrate Christmas on January 7 with a traditional game resembling hockey.
20. Canada: Mummering
- In Newfoundland, people disguise themselves and visit neighbors, singing and dancing for treats.
21. Australia: Beach BBQs
- Australians often celebrate Christmas with outdoor barbecues, reflecting the summer season.
22. Russia: Ded Moroz
- Grandfather Frost and his granddaughter Snegurochka deliver gifts on New Year’s Eve.
23. India: Banana or Mango Trees
- Indian Christians decorate banana or mango trees instead of traditional Christmas trees.
24. Denmark: Rice Pudding
- A dish called “risalamande” is served, and whoever finds the hidden almond wins a prize.
25. Guatemala: Burning the Devil
- Guatemalans clean their homes and burn effigies of the devil to start the season fresh.
26. USA: Elf on the Shelf
- A modern tradition where a toy elf “reports” children’s behavior to Santa Claus.
27. Brazil: Midnight Mass
- “Missa do Galo” (Rooster’s Mass) is a midnight church service followed by fireworks.
28. Kenya: Goat Roasts
- Kenyans often celebrate with roasted goat, a dish called “nyama choma.”
29. Greece: Kalikantzaroi
- Mischievous goblins called Kalikantzaroi are believed to cause trouble during the 12 days of Christmas.
30. Colombia: Día de las Velitas
- Colombians light candles and lanterns on December 7 to honor the Virgin Mary.
31. Switzerland: Samichlaus
- Saint Nicholas visits with a companion, Schmutzli, who carries a sack of coal for naughty children.
32. Peru: Santuranticuy Market
- A large Christmas market in Cusco sells handmade Nativity figurines and other crafts.
33. Hungary: Luca’s Chair
- Hungarians make a wooden chair during Advent to spot witches during Midnight Mass.
34. Spain: Caga Tió
- A log “poops” presents for children after being “fed” and beaten with sticks.
35. Jamaica: Junkanoo
- A street parade with colorful costumes, music, and dancing.
36. Croatia: Wheat Planting
- Croatians plant wheat seeds on Saint Lucia’s Day to symbolize new life.
37. Belgium: Saint Nicholas Day
- Celebrated on December 6, children leave shoes out for Saint Nicholas to fill with gifts.
38. Slovakia: Pudding Toss
- The oldest male in the family throws a spoonful of pudding at the ceiling for good luck.
39. South Korea: Christmas Cakes
- Koreans enjoy specially decorated Christmas cakes from bakeries.
40. Fiji: Meke Dances
- Traditional dances are performed, and feasts include roasted pig and taro.
41. Wales: Mari Lwyd
- A horse skull on a stick is paraded door-to-door, demanding entry through song.
42. Latvia: Gift Poetry
- Every gift must be accompanied by a short poem, often improvised.
43. Armenia: Fasting Meal
- The Christmas Eve meal includes lentil soup and unleavened bread.
44. Thailand: Elephant Parades
- Decorated elephants participate in parades and festivities.
45. Netherlands: Sinterklaas Arrival
- Saint Nicholas arrives by boat, accompanied by helpers, kicking off the season.
46. Lithuania: Kūčios
- A solemn meal with 12 meatless dishes, followed by fortune-telling games.
47. Malta: Midnight Processions
- Children lead Christmas Eve processions, reenacting the Nativity story.
48. Puerto Rico: Parrandas
- Groups of carolers surprise neighbors late at night with music and festive cheer.
49. Scotland: Hogmanay
- Although Christmas was banned for centuries, New Year’s Eve (Hogmanay) features massive celebrations.
50. England: Boxing Day
- The day after Christmas is dedicated to charity, sports, and shopping.
Each tradition reflects unique cultural values and histories, making the global Christmas experience rich and fascinating.