Strangest Christmas traditions around the world

Christmas celebrations will soon be in full swing, and experts have revealed the unique ways the festive season is celebrated across the globe. 

Travel experts at StressFreeCarRental.com (Thanks to them for helping with information for this blogpost) have researched the ten most surprising ways people celebrate Christmas.

Whilst the Japanese rush over to KFC for their Christmas dinner, the Polish believe that animals gain the ability to speak on Christmas Eve. 

Meanwhile, people all across Caracas, Venezuela, will travel on roller skates through the city to gather together at an early-morning Christmas service. 

Many traditions go far beyond exchanging gifts and decorating the Christmas tree, so those travelling abroad should educate themselves on different festive traditions.

John Charnock, CEO of StressFreeCarRental.com said: “Although the festive period is a wonderful time to spend with family and friends, exchange gifts, decorate the house and eat lots of food, cultures around the world enjoy their own unique traditions.

“From the slaughtering of pigs in Romania to polishing shoes and leaving them on the street for gifts in Germany, everywhere enjoys the festive season in different ways so it is important to be open-minded if travelling abroad in December.”

10 Unique Christmas traditions around the world:

1. Japan

Christmas dinners in Japan look very different to most countries - the Japanese typically eat a meal from KFC. Some pre-order chicken meals months in advance and long queues are expected on the 25th outside KFC restaurants. 

2. Poland

In Poland, it is believed during the Christmas Eve dinner, animals are given the gift of speaking for the night. According to legend, this is thanks to the animals who helped receive baby Jesus during his birth. 

3. Germany

On the evening of the 5th, a day before Saint Nicholas Day, children polish their shoes and leave them on the street, to later find them filled with chocolates and sweets as a reward for good behaviour. 

4. Venezuela

On Christmas Eve, residents of Venezuela’s capital city, Caracas, will be seen travelling to Christmas mass on roller skates. Skating is such a popular tradition that the streets are closed to cars, allowing skaters to travel safely and enjoy this fun Christmas activity.

5. China

In China, Santa is known as Sheng dan Lao ren, and he has fellow helpers called ‘sisters.’ This means that Santas dressed up in shopping centres will have costumed women by their side, and not pointy-eared elves. 

6. The Netherlands

The evening of December 5th is the most exciting Christmas day for children as it is the time ‘Sinterklaas’ arrives with presents. Kids will leave a shoe by the fireplace, sing Dutch Christmas songs and wait for their gifts to arrive. 

7. Italy

Italian tradition sees bizarre bagpipe-playing shepherds perform tunes in piazzas, normally dressed in traditional sheepskin and wool cloaks. The pipers travel in pairs down from their mountain homes for a festive spectacle. 

8. Romania

Romania's Christmas traditions are very unique, and arguably the most important is the slaughtering of a pig. Families gather in rural areas to sacrifice one of their pigs and use the meat to cook Christmas meals. 

9. Australia 

Christmas in Australia is during the Summer, so it is common to see surfing Santas in bright red fleece suits, lined with white fur and big black boots, on the big day. 

10. Spain

The Spanish Christmas lottery is the biggest in the world. Almost everyone in the country plays, usually with friends, coworkers or neighbours because it usually pays out over two billion euros each year. 

For information on travelling around Christmas time, head over to StressFreeCarRental.com. 

 

Embracing Tradition: A Traditional Christmas in Ireland

This time That's Christmas takes a look at a traditional Christmas in Ireland.

As we near the festive season, many countries around the world prepare to celebrate Christmas in their unique ways. Ireland, a country renowned for its rich cultural heritage, has its own special way of embracing the Christmas spirit. 

Christmas in Ireland is not just a day but a season filled with ancient traditions, heart-warming rituals, and a sense of community that genuinely captures the essence of the Christmas season. In this blog post, we will take a journey into the heart of a traditional Irish Christmas.

Decorating the Home

In Ireland, the Christmas season kicks off in early December with the lighting of the first candle in the Advent wreath. Many Irish families also put up their Christmas trees and decorate their homes with festive ornaments and twinkling lights. However, traditional Irish decorations often include sprigs of holly and ivy, which symbolise protection and good luck. Mistletoe is hung above doorways, where a kiss is exchanged beneath it, a custom that dates back to ancient Celtic traditions.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is an important time for Irish families. Many attend a midnight Mass, which is a solemn and spiritual occasion. After Mass, it's customary to return home and enjoy a warm, hearty bowl of soup before heading to bed.

A Visit from Santa

In Ireland, Santa Claus is known as "Daidí na Nollag" or "Father Christmas." Children leave out a glass of milk and some mince pies for Santa, along with a carrot for his reindeer. This gesture is a sign of the warmth and hospitality that characterises Irish culture.

Traditional Christmas Dinner

On Christmas Day, a grand feast is prepared and shared among family and friends. The centrepiece of the meal is typically a roast turkey, ham, or goose. Traditional side dishes include stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and a wide array of vegetables. Christmas pudding, a rich fruitcake, is a must-have dessert. It's often doused in brandy and set ablaze before being served with a dollop of custard or cream.

St. Stephen's Day (Boxing Day)

The day after Christmas, known as St. Stephen's Day or Boxing Day, is marked by a variety of traditions. In rural areas, "Hunting the Wren" is a popular custom, where groups of young people dress up in straw costumes and parade through the streets, singing songs and collecting donations for charity.

Candlelit Windows

A beautiful Irish tradition is the lighting of a single candle in the window on Christmas Eve. This candle is a symbol of welcome and is meant to guide Mary and Joseph on their way to find shelter, a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.

Christmas Carols and Music

Music is a fundamental part of an Irish Christmas. Local choirs and carol singers often visit homes, hospitals, and care facilities to share the joy of the season through songs and music. Traditional Irish instruments, like the tin whistle and bodhrán, add a unique and lively touch to the festivities.

Wren Boys

The Wren Boys tradition involves groups of young people, known as "Wren Boys," dressing in straw costumes and masks, parading through towns and villages, and collecting money for charity. This custom has roots in an old Irish legend and is a lively and colourful part of the Christmas season.

A traditional Christmas in Ireland is a heart-warming and authentic celebration of the holiday season. It's a time when family and community take centre stage, and age-old customs and rituals bring people together in a spirit of warmth and generosity. While modern influences have shaped some aspects of the holiday, the essence of a traditional Irish Christmas endures, reminding us of the importance of cherishing our heritage and the joy of the season.

(Image courtesy of Ylanite Koppens from Pixabay)