According to TV, radio and the media in general, it’s been “nearly Christmas” since mid-August. Decorations are now appearing on houses, while shops have had them up for a few weeks already, all in the hope of prompting early sales and impulse purchases, and for the celebration of the birth of the baby Jesus of course.
Whether you’re Santa’s little helper or a total Grinch, you’ll follow your Christmas Day routine with a smile or suffer the wrath of passive-aggressive family members. Have you ever wondered how people in other countries who may have a totally different routine get through the period? Well, we’ve found the best examples of odd and interesting traditions from across the globe which are certain to make you feel all the more relaxed this December.
The Norwegian Anti-Santa
If you were one of the few kids who was unnerved at the idea of a stranger finding his way into your living room while everyone slept, with full permission from your parents, then count your luck you’re not living in Norway.
Norwegians believe that Christmas Eve, similar to Halloween, is when all the spirits and witches are released and can roam the streets. To counteract this invasion, they hide all their brooms and sweeping brushes, denying witches the chance of a festive joyride. A better idea might be to collect unwanted brooms and leave them lying around so the witches can fly away and leave them alone, but it’s their tradition so we won’t criticise too much.
Italy – The Good Witch of the Feast
Alongside Babbo Natale, Italian children must also fear La Befana, a haggard, sooty old witch, who arrives 11 days after Santa to fulfill a similar role. Those kids who’ve behaved get candy and presents, while those less cordial get lumps of coal, or a sugar-based substitute.
La Befana’s origins lie in the nativity story of old, and it’s rumoured the Three Wise Men asked her to lead them to the stable where Jesus was about to be born. She was too busy cleaning her house at the time so refused, and regrets that decision so much that she wanders the world looking for the baby with gifts in tow.
It’s a bit like that time you turned down tickets to the Garth Brooks gig in Croke Park, Dublin – that never really happened either, but you still regret it.
Sprouts v Fried Chicken – there’s only one winner
In Japan, where only 1% identify as Christian, it seems the advertising industry have really kicked into overdrive and claimed a convincing victory.
The first KFC opened in 1970, and was followed four years later with an aggressive campaign to promote the virtues of KFC. The phrase “Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!” (Kentucky for Christmas!) was central to this culinary coup, and was so successful that fried chicken is now synonymous with Christmas itself. According to the Smithsonian Magazine, “The “Americaness” and simplicity of the message rather than any religious associations with the holiday is what makes it appealing.”
We’ll have what you’re having, Mr Smithsonian. Another thing to remember about Christmas in Japan – don’t send red cards as red is the colour of death and mourning there, so your message of goodwill and happiness will not translate well.
Ukraine – You’re Doing it Wrong
In Ukraine, tradition involves using spider webs (fake ones, we hope) to decorate the Christmas tree. This is based on the legend of a poor widow who noticed a pine tree growing in her garden one summer. As they were poor, the whole family were simply happy to have a tree for the holiday, and didn’t expect any decorations to be provided, or to magically appear.
Guess what happened next? On Christmas morning, they all awoke to a tree covered with beautiful spider’s web, which caught the sun and glowed gold and silver.
Thankfully, in modern times this tradition simply involves hiding a small web in the tree, and the first child to find it wins a prize, or gets good luck for the year. Or gets bitten by a spider. All things are possible.
Guatemala – No Sympathy for the Devil
In Guatemala, some genius had the idea to combine domestic chores with festival activities, ending with the burning of an effigy of the devil on a big pile of rubbish.
In the run up to this event, houses are cleaned thoroughly, as we all know evil lurks in dirty places. The rubbish is collected on December 7th, made into a pyre on which the effigy is burnt, with music and fireworks to help the cleansing. LonelyPlanet warn that “the air in all Guatemalan cities and towns this night will be thick with smoke”, so bring a scarf or gas mask to help you breathe.
Sounds like a riot, in both senses of the word.
Czech Mate
In the Czech Republic, similar to the St Andrew’s Day traditions we looked at in November, ladies place a cherry twig underwater, and if it blooms (does a cherry bloom?) before Christmas Eve, that lady will, almost certainly, get married the following year.
She can also throw a shoe over her right shoulder, and if it lands facing the door – presumably signifying “get out of my house” from the parents – she’ll get married soon.
We’ve no idea what might happen should the lady do both of these things in the same calendar year. We’ve never googled “google” either, for fear it’ll knock the entire internet off-line. (Thanks to our Tech team for the heads up there.)
Portugal – The Ghosts of Christmas Past
A staunchly catholic country, tradition in Portugal is to honour the spirits of departed relatives by setting a place for them at the table. They also enjoy two main meals on the day, consoda and consoada, the latter being held early in the morning.The Portuguese also enjoy a busy Christmas Eve, following midnight mass with a meal consisting of cod with boiled potatoes and cabbage.
Oddly, it’s the Three Wise Men who bring gifts for the children instead of Santa, possibly resulting in “saviour syndrome” for the more self-confident kids.
Catalonia – Seriously?
Definitely our favourite, the Catalonian tradition of Caga Tió, which translates as “pooping log”, is brilliantly absurd. As you’ll see in the video below, it can also be a little creepy.
Wooden figures are made out of logs, with smiley faces and hats and all that. During December, the children of the house will leave nuts, fruit and treats beneath the log each evening, and when they go to bed, diligent parents must replace the log with one slightly bigger to give the impression of growth. Then, on Christmas Day, the kids can beat the log with sticks to “expel” the presents and treats that have been created within his wooden, imaginary bowels, or something like that.
Oddee.com say the words in the song below mean “Poop log, poop candy! If you don’t poop well, I’ll hit you with a stick. Poop log!”.
We’re not sure what message Catalan parents are trying to teach their children with this one, but as far as having fun with sticks and poo goes, it doesn’t get much better (or cleaner).
Greenland – And You Thought Sprouts Were Bad?
There are two main traditional foods eaten around Christmas on the island of Greenland – Mattak and kiviak.
Mattak is raw whale skin with a little blubber left attached for extra whaley-ness, while its companion snack kiviak is altogether more fragrant.
Wikipedia claims that to make kiviak, up to 500 auk birds are stuffed into the hollowed out body of a seal (all animals are dead, of course). The body is then buried or covered and left for up to seven months, as the birds ferment and create a beautiful little bite-size snack that’s eaten at all sorts of celebrations across Greenland.
We’ll skip that one, thanks.
Austria/Germany/Switzerland – Simply Terrifying
The common stereotype of the Germanic people is of a hard working, efficient and mannerly folk. This may be down to the increased emotional bribery and mortal fear instilled in all their children from a very young age.
Meet the Krampus, the ultimate child behaviour modification. He’s literally a demon – and they make no attempt to cover up this fact. The really naughty kids are told they’ll be chained and dragged off to hell to burn for eternity. December 5th is when this “celebration” takes place, with Krampus delivering treats to good children and the above torment to any who’ve not been well behaved.
We found an excellent article on the history of Krampus – and this next fact really chilled our Christmas spirit to the bone.
In Switzerland, where Krampus is called Schmutzli, children were routinely threatened with being carried off to the dark forest by the demon or tied in his sack to be thrown in the river and drowned!
Sweet Santa, that’s terrifying. Krampus is hardcore. Here’s a brief documentary about him – best not to let the kids watch.
Merry Christmas from the team at CurrencyFair, and don’t forget to tell all your friends who need to do an international bank transfer that we’re the best – because we are!
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