Friday, 06.12.2024

Christmas traditions around the world: curious, fascinating and diverse

Christmas is celebrated in many places around the world - often in unusual ways. Whether bizarre, traditional or surprisingly creative, the variety of customs is what makes the festive season so exciting.

In Japan, it is traditional to celebrate Christmas with a bucket of fried chicken from KFC. This unusual custom was established in the 1970s thanks to a clever marketing campaign. In the Philippines, the “Giant Lantern Festival” is impressive: huge, colorful lanterns, some several meters high, light up the Christmas season and attract visitors from all over the world.

In Venezuela, the celebrations are sporty: In Caracas, people roller-skate to mass on Christmas Eve. And in South Africa, many people nibble on fried caterpillars of the emperor moth butterfly - an unusual snack that is said to bring good luck for the coming year.

In Australia, Santa Claus meets on the beach, often in swimming trunks, and a merry Christmas barbecue is held while the summer sun shines. In Greenland, on the other hand, fermented dishes such as sea bird or whale skin are served - a delicacy for the festive season.
These traditions are just a small selection of the many extraordinary Christmas traditions around the world. They show just how creative and diverse Christmas is all over the world. Despite all the differences, we have one thing in common: celebrating together, sharing joy and reflecting on the essentials - ideally in a home full of warmth and security.