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. 

 

Christmas without the kids: Co-op Legal Services predicts spike in child arrangement requests

As Christmas nears, Co-op Legal Services anticipates a peak in child arrangement enquiries from parents who are separated as they face the prospect of the festive period without their children.

The national legal provider’s business data reveals over a quarter (28%) of its child arrangement enquiries in 2022 came in the last three months of the year, higher than any other time of the year,  showing the link between the approach of Christmas and conflict between parents over who has the children.

With over 110,000 divorces taking place every year in the UK, for many this Christmas will be the first without the family.

The festive period is a time of year renowned for bringing families together and for many, over the course of a marriage family traditions develop. As such, following a separation comes the realisation those formed Christmas habits are gone.

Having been used to putting the children to bed on Christmas Eve or spending the morning opening presents, the thought of waking up to an empty house can be isolating following the breakdown of a relationship.

Ben Evans, Lead Family Law Solicitor at Co-op Legal Services, says: “Having worked with lots of people that experience their first Christmas on their own following divorce, dissolution of a civil partnership, or a separation, it’s easy to see how isolating and lonely this time can be. The key I believe is to not focus on what used to be and instead focus on new ways to celebrate and enjoy Christmas. Let go of the old traditions and try to embrace the fact that you can now make new ones.”

Tips from Co-op Legal Services’ Lead Family Law Solicitor, Ben Evans:

Be flexible

‘’Christmas isn’t all about celebrating on 25th December. Both parents can create their own Christmas day with the kids, they’ll still enjoy it just as much! It’s also important to prioritise the happiness of the children – now is not the time to cause conflict or be resentful about your ex-partner.’’

Money, Money, Money

‘’Separations can be time consuming and costly, meaning money can often be difficult after a split. Try not to make things all about the presents, it’s not a competition and it’s the feelings the kids will remember – not the actual gifts.’’

Help others

‘’If you’re feeling a little lonely, volunteer! Get involved in the local community or get together with other people who are spending Christmas alone. Alternatively, why not visit family you may not have seen in a while? You may find that they appreciate an extra pair of hands.

‘”There’s also the option to offer to look after the pet of a neighbour or friend who is away for Christmas. Not only will you be helping them out, but your Christmas just got a little less lonely.’’

Create new traditions

‘’You’ve probably not spent a Christmas alone for a number of years, maybe it’s time to see it as a positive opportunity. You can create your own traditions, whether that means spending more time with friends, visiting a new city or going on holiday. It’s also the time to create new traditions with your children.’’

It’s not forever

"You may not be able to spend Christmas Day with your children this year but that doesn’t mean it’s forever. A lot of parents find that alternating years works for them, that way you know that you’ve got a busy Christmas to look forward to in the not too distant future.’’

https://www.co-oplegalservices.co.uk

(Image courtesy Manfred Antranias Zimmer from Pixabay)

Tesco customers donate 2 million meals to support charities at Winter Food Collection

Generous Tesco customers made millions of food donations at the Tesco Winter Food Collection - providing much-needed support for FareShare and the Trussell Trust.

An incredible 2 million meals’ worth of long-life food items were donated at the collection between 27th November to 2nd December in all of the retailer’s large and convenience stores.

Donations to the Trussell Trust help food banks to provide emergency food parcels to people who cannot afford the essentials, while donations to FareShare support thousands of frontline local charities in communities across the country. 

This year will see both charities face their busiest winter yet as more people turn to them for support. The Trussell Trust is expecting to distribute one food parcel every eight seconds over the next three months and the charity has reported that, alarmingly, 320,000 people needed to access a food bank for the first time between April and September – the most ever for this period.

Meanwhile, FareShare has over 1,500 frontline charities on its waiting list seeking food to help them provide meals for people facing hunger this winter.

Tesco CEO Ken Murphy said: “The generosity of our customers is truly amazing. At a time when people are facing financial strain, they still went out of their way to support our charity partners in stores across the UK. 

“From a single carton of long-life milk to a whole trolley of items, every customer who donated helped us to make this one of the most successful Winter Food Collections ever.”

In addition to the donations of food, the pre-Christmas Winter Food Collection saw customers donate more than £300,000 to the charities by rounding up their bills at the till and donating through a link from Tesco’s online groceries website.

Tesco also provides its unsold food to FareShare and altogether Tesco and its customers have given the equivalent of more than 39 million meals to both charities in the past year.

George Wright, Chief Executive at FareShare, said: “With so many people struggling to afford basic essentials this winter, it’s really uplifting to see that Tesco customers have donated so much food to help people facing hunger in the community. Not only did they donate food, but many of them also donated their time by volunteering in store to help us collect much needed items this year too.

“We are immensely grateful to Tesco and its customers for the invaluable support we have received over the last 11 years and for donating more than any other food partner in our history. Thank you to everyone that donated food, money or time this year – your generosity will ensure we can continue getting vital food to the people that need it most this Christmas.”

Emma Revie, CEO of the Trussell Trust: "People’s generosity never fails to amaze me and it is wonderful to see that once again communities and Tesco stores across the UK have come together to support their local food banks and ensure that they can be there for everyone who needs them this winter.

“Everyone should have enough money to afford the essentials and when food banks in our network are expecting to provide a food parcel every eight seconds between December and February, it’s clear that something is wrong. That is why we continue our long-term work to achieve a future where no one needs to access emergency food and, while we do that, every item that is donated will make a real difference to addressing the urgent levels of need this winter.”

With both charities continuing to need support, Tesco shoppers can continue to donate food at permanent collection points at every Tesco store in the UK or make a donation after their online shop. You can also donate at https://fareshare.donr.com/tesco until February 2024.

Sprout sales up early this Christmas season

Sales of Waitrose Brussels sprouts have increased by a dramatic 150% vs same time last year.

Searches for ‘Brussels sprouts’ are up +87% month on month and recipe searches for ‘shredded sprouts’ are up +607% month on month and +65% compared to the same time last year.

Waitrose is predicting that this will be a huge year for Brussels sprouts.

The humble Brussels sprout is no longer just for Christmas. With just a little while 'til the big day, Waitrose is already seeing a boost in recipe searches which is also being reflected in a surge in sales of brussels sprouts. Cooking them is no longer just dropping them into a pan of boiling water and hoping for the best. Because today, cooks are being inspired by restaurant menus and the many recipes illustrating the variety of ways you can cook and serve sprouts.  

With top restaurants around the country offering creative new ways to serve up the humble sprout, home cooks are seeking out their own recipes as recipe searches on Waitrose.com for ‘shredded sprouts’ surge 607% month on month and 65% year on year.

Sam Witherington, Vegetable Buyer at Waitrose said: “The Brussels sprout was once consigned to Christmas lunch, over cooked and under loved. But in recent years, as the sprout has made its way onto restaurant menus, home cooks are now getting more creative too.  If these current sales of brussels sprouts are anything to go by it’s going to be a bumper year for Brussels”.

This cooking inspiration has led to a rise in sales of large bags of Waitrose Brussels sprouts up a whopping 150% on this time last year and Waitrose predict this increase will continue all the way to Christmas and beyond.

London diners are raving about these great ways to cook and serve Brussels sprouts.  A diner at Italian eatery Trullo in North London recommends cooking them with pancetta, chestnuts and gorgonzola and describes them as ‘divine’. While diners at Japanese restaurant Shoryu Ramen commented that the brussels sprout tempura was ‘very unique and yummy.'

I’m dreaming of a white poinsettia Christmas

With their delightful, vibrant scarlet colour, poinsettias have become as much a part of the festive season as Christmas trees themselves.   

But shoppers will be able to get their hands on the much rarer white variety when they go on sale at Tesco. 

The white ‘Alaska’ poinsettias have been grown for the supermarket by Lincolnshire-based horticulture experts Bridge Farm Group in order to help create a ‘wow factor’ for shoppers. 

Bridge Farm Group, based in Spalding, are one of the UK’s largest growers of poinsettias and now grow over a million a year as a result of their increasing popularity.    

Their rising popularity is also good news for British growers with Bridge Farm Group now taking over from the Dutch as the main supplier of the beautiful and vibrant house plants.  

In the last five years they have increased the supply of poinsettias to Tesco by nearly 1,000%.

Tesco plant buyer Vicky l’Anson said: “Over the last few decades poinsettias have established themselves as the number one gifting flower over the festive season and are as much a symbol of the start of Christmas as mince pies. 

“This year for the first time ever we’ll have the White Alaska which we think will create a real ‘wow’ factor with shoppers.” 

The white Alaska poinsettias originate from Sabaudia, a town 100 km south of Rome in Italy. The Alaska is recognised for its unique, large pure white bracts, making it one of the whitest varieties on the market. 

The poinsettia season is one of the shortest for house plants and they remain in stores for roughly eight weeks, from the end of October till the end of December.  

The bloom, which is also known as either the Christmas Flower or the Christmas Star in horticulture circles, is one of the birth flowers for December and represents happiness and success. 

Bridge Farm Group Managing Director David Brown added: “There are over 100 different poinsettia varieties in shades of red, pink, white, yellow, orange, purple and even multi-coloured ones so we’ll be excited to see how popular the white ones are with shoppers this year.” 

The white poinsettias, which are in a basket, go on sale at over 600 Tesco stores across the UK and cost £12 each. 

www.tesco.com.

Morisons. Where you can do your Christmas shopping and support beating food poverty

Until Christmas Eve, More Card customers will receive 100 points when they purchase and donate a 'Pick Up Pack’ in store. 

Demand for food banks can be especially high at Christmas and that’s why Morrisons Community Champions across the UK work so closely with their local community groups and food banks to help identify and provide the groceries they need the most. 

The pre-packed bags which cost between £1-£5 contain cupboard and household essentials specifically requested by local community groups; like cereal, pasta, sauces, tinned vegetable and toiletries, plus at this time of year festive items such as selection boxes.

Customers can pick up a pack on their way into the store, pay for it at the till and then place the bag in the dedicated donation station. The store's Community Champions will then distribute it to their local food bank.

Morrisons ‘Pick Up Packs’ is in addition to Morrisons surplus food programmes that sees unsold food donated to local groups all year round to help support local families.

Also, Morrisons has brought back its ‘Giving Tree’, which last year was successful in raising over £350,000 for local causes. Customers can pick up a bauble from the tree worth £1, £2 or £5 to donate to a local food bank or community group nominated by their store. Each bauble has a value which can be scanned at the checkout along with the customer's shopping.

Joseph Clark-Bland, Morrisons Community Manager, said: “Food banks are a lifeline for many people in the UK and demand can be especially high at Christmas. That’s why we wanted to make it easier for our customers to donate in whatever way they can, to help those in their local community get the items and support they need.”

The Morrisons Foundation has also launched its annual Christmas Appeal in support of The Trussell Trust. Customers who shop online are able to donate £1, £3, £5 or £10 with the final total match funded. Last year, customers managed to raise over £134,000 for the Trussell Trust through its Christmas Appeal. 

We'll be doing that later this week when we pick up our Christmas meat. Can't decide on turkey or beef this year. Still, our fully qualified and experienced Morrison's butcher will be able to advise us!

www.morrisons.com

Six-person roast for under £20 announced as 44% of Brits avoid hosting Christmas due to cost concerns

Brits are reportedly avoiding the responsibility of hosting Christmas Day this year, using extravagant excuses with having a broken oven (22%) and wanting to spend Christmas alone (21%) cited as some of the top explanations.

As 42% would be more likely to host Christmas if it cost less, Sainsbury’s recently announced a festive roast that feeds six for under £20 with Nectar, its lowest ever cost.

TV Personality, roast dinner devotee, and well-known bargain lover Tom Skinner, has shared how he’ll be hosting a festive roast for his family this year, and saving money at the same time.

Brits are dodging serving Christmas dinner this year, as 44% of the nation say they have been put off the idea of hosting family and friends due how much they think it could cost them.

Of those not volunteering to host their families this year, over a third (36%) have admitted they are proactively avoiding the duties, and 26% have come up with extravagant excuses such as claiming their oven is broken (22%), wanting to spend Christmas alone (21%) and not having enough chairs (19%)². 13% have even blamed it on their dog not liking guests, whilst almost a fifth (17%) have admitted leaving the family WhatsApp group to dodge the discussion altogether.

As 42% would be more likely to host Christmas if it cost less, Sainsbury’s recently announced the return of its price-busting festive roast at its lowest ever cost. Savvy shoppers can get all the ingredients they need to sort out their Christmas day meal and dessert that feeds six for under 20 Quid at Sainsbury’s with Nectar. At just £3.24 per person, it subverts Brits’ expectations that feeding six at Christmas needs to cost an average total of £84, making it available for less than a quarter of that price.

The research also revealed, instead of hosting duties, many want to ensure they have money left to treat themselves to other things this year, including going out for a meal with friends and family over the festive period (36%), booking a holiday for the New Year (27%) a shopping trip (22%), and self-care (21%). 

Yet at a lower cost per head than a day of London bus fares, or a fancy coffee, even the most apprehensive about the price of hosting Christmas can serve up a feast for six people for under £20, thanks to Sainsbury’s. That means there’s change left to spend on everything else Brits would rather splurge their festive pay checks on.

The roast features fresh turkey,plus other items deemed the top essentials of the traditional Christmas dinner, like potatoes (79%), gravy (75%), stuffing (69%) and pigs in blankets (63%). Meanwhile, other festive staples like parsnips, carrots and brussels sprouts which all cost a mere 19p per pack, will be included as part of the roast, topped off with a fruit sherry trifle to further delight guests at the end of the meal.

Limited knowledge of how to cater for vegetarians is cited as another reason the nation is dodging hosting (28%). In fact, almost a fifth (18%) claim they’ve previously just served up a bowl of vegetables when hosting because they don’t know what to make. 

Luckily, Sainsburys’ great value roast offering also includes a veggie option that feeds six for under £17. At £2.77 per person, it sees the Sainsbury's Plant Pioneers Meat Free Wellington replacing the turkey, along with a veggie gravy and Plant Pioneers Pups in Blankets.

TV personality, MasterChef contestant and roast fanatic Tom Skinner discusses the struggles to serve up a high-quality meal at Christmas for the family without worrying about the price tag.

He said: “It’s no surprise I’m a fan of a roast dinner, so naturally Christmas is my favourite time of year. The big day in the Skinner household is always full of food, and I’m all set for another year of hosting. who'd have thought I could serve a banging two-course roast for under £3.50 per person and have enough for leftovers, with the Sainsbury’s Feed six for less than £20 roast? If that’s not the most wonderful time of year, I don’t know what is – BOSH!”

Rhian Bartlett, Food Commercial Director at Sainsbury’s said: “We know our customers want to enjoy Christmas and celebrate with friends and family, whilst also treating themselves, too. At Sainsbury’s we’ve worked hard to ensure Christmas dinner doesn’t have to break the bank and our festive roast has everything needed to serve up a delicious meal for loved ones. By investing in lower prices, we’re proud to be able to offer a full Christmas roast for six people, that costs less than £3.50 per person with Nectar Prices.”

In addition to exceptionally low prices, all proceeds from the Sainsbury’s festive vegetables included in the roast will be donated to the Nourish the Nation programme in partnership with Comic Relief. By ensuring communities have improved access to balanced, nutritional, and sustainable food sources, the Nourish the Nation programme helps face food poverty by supporting those most in need, whilst also supporting those at risk in the longer term.

To take advantage of these great prices between 19th and 24th December, customers should scan their Nectar app or swipe their Nectar card at the till in store to save. Those shopping online will have their discounts applied automatically if their Nectar and Sainsbury’s accounts are linked for orders delivered between 20th – 24th December.

Those who don’t have a Nectar card can sign up to Nectar Prices by joining Nectar online at https://www.nectar.com, on the Nectar app, or by picking up a Nectar card in store. In fact, my wife and I did that only a week ago and already the savings we have made have been mounting up.

The full Festive offering is as follows:

Sainsbury’s festive roast for less than £20 includes:

by Sainsbury’s Standard Small Turkey, £3.75 per kg

by Sainsbury’s White Potatoes 2kg, 15p

by Sainsbury’s Brussel Sprouts 500g, 19p (x 2 required)

by Sainsbury’s Carrots 1kg, 19p

by Sainsbury’s Parsnips 500g, 19p

by Sainsbury’s Gravy Granules for Meat 170g, 60p

by Sainsbury’s Sage & Onion Stuffing Mix 85g, 40p

by Sainsbury’s Pigs in Blankets x12 260g, £2.50

by Sainsbury’s Fruit Sherry Trifle 900g, £4.50

Sainsbury’s vegetarian festive roast for less than £17includes:

Sainsbury's Plant Pioneers Meat Free Wellington 500g, £3.40 (x 2 required, frozen)

by Sainsbury’s Carrots 1kg, 19p

by Sainsbury’s Parsnips 500g, 19p

by Sainsbury’s Brussel Sprouts 500g, 19p (x 2 required)

by Sainsbury’s White Potatoes 2kg, 15p

by Sainsbury’s vegetable gravy granules 170g, 60p

Plant Pioneers Pups in Blankets 241g, £3.40

by Sainsbury’s Sage & Onion Stuffing Mix 170g, 40p

by Sainsbury’s Fruit Sherry Trifle 900g, £4.50

Selected Sainsbury’s seasonal vegetables available for 19p or less with Nectar Prices (with all proceeds donated to the Nourish the Nation programme in partnership with Comic Relief):

by Sainsbury’s White Potatoes 2kg, 15p

by Sainsbury’s Brussel Sprouts 500g, 19p

by Sainsbury’s Carrots 1kg, 19p

by Sainsbury’s Parsnips 500g, 19p

by Sainsbury’s Red Cabbage, 19p

by Sainsbury’s White Cabbage, 19p

by Sainsbury’s Swede, 19p

Seasonal vegetables available on Nectar prices from 18th December- 24th December.