Each country has its own way of celebrating Christmas. Overview of the most atypical customs.
Early decorations, foie gras, seafood and log on the menu, and presents left under the Christmas tree by Santa Claus are Christmas traditions firmly rooted in French culture. As for the opening of gifts, it depends on the families: on the evening of the 24th or on the morning of the 25th. Many countries have similar customs, but others have slightly more unusual rites to celebrate the end of the year.
Human trunks giving gifts in Catalonia
At the beginning of December, Catalan families install a Caga tio in the kitchen. This human-looking wooden chest is covered with a small blanket to protect it from the cold. Throughout the month, he receives sweets and gifts in pledge of food. On the 24th the caga tio becomes the punching bag of the children who beat her until she “defecates” what she has been offered.
A radish contest in Mexico
Radishes are in the spotlight in the city of Oaxaca de Juárez in southern Mexico. On the evening of December 23, budding sculptors double down on their creativity to create Christmas scenes or traditional Mexican scenes with vegetables. It is the “Noche de Los Rábanos” (the “Night of the Radishes”). The best one wins a prize and a sum of money. Two other competitions concern the making of dried flowers and corn husks. This tradition, born on December 23, 1897 in a Christmas market, would have been created on the initiative of horticulturists who came to sell their products.
A pickle in the tree in the United States
Where is the pickle hidden? On the morning of December 25th, the one who will most want to discover the “Christmas cucumber”, i.e. the cucumber decoration hidden in the tree, will have an extra gift if it is a child and much luck the following year if it is , is an adult. The origin of this tradition has long been attributed to Germany, but today it is mostly followed in the Midwestern United States. The town of Berrien Springs, Michigan holds an annual pickle festival and has proclaimed itself the Christmas pickle capital of the world.
Pudding in the air in Slovakia
Before starting the dessert, Slovaks have a ritual: the oldest man in the family has to throw a spoonful of his pudding at the ceiling. According to popular belief, the longer the cake is, the luckier the family will be in the year.
A KFC menu in Japan
A well thought out marketing gimmick. Japan, where the share of Christians does not exceed 3% of the population, traditionally does not celebrate Christmas. Never mind, KFC has made its own habit. In the 1970s, the fast food chain launched an advertising campaign: “Kurisumasu ni wa Kentakkii” (translated as “Kentucky for Christmas”). Since then, millions of Japanese people have ordered fried chicken around this time.
A rite for boys in Portugal
In the north of Portugal, the Boys party you hate Saint Stephen It is celebrated. This party is organized for young single men over the age of 16 and sounds like a rite of passage from adolescence to adulthood. After Christmas mass, the boys dress up and go from house to house asking for donations, playing music and putting on a show.
“Poisoned” gifts in Italy and Iceland
The Germans receive a first salvo of gifts on 6 December. Saint-Nicolas, in front of Santa Claus, places sweets and small gifts in the shoes or stockings of the children placed in front of the door during the night.
Little Icelanders put their shoes on a window sill for the 13 days before Christmas. The little elves will put a small treat there or a potato, sometimes rotten, if the child hasn’t been good.
In Italy the double ration of gifts is scheduled for the eve of the Epiphany, January 6th. According to legend, the witch Befana sneaks into the huts to sweep away the troubles of the past. She hands out sweets to the good kids along the way. Whoever made a mistake will receive coal instead.
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