1. Germany – Saint Nicholas’ Day
Saint Nicholas from Germany is kind of like Santa Claus, except that he is a different kind of gift-giver, and dressed differently. Instead of the usual toys, candy, and other goodies, he leaves coins and fruit in the shoes of nice children; he leaves sticks, twigs, and switches for naughty children.
2. Unknown – The Christmas Pickle
This bizarre tradition starts on Christmas morning; a pickle ornament is hidden in the Christmas tree. The first one to find the pickle gets the opportunity to open their first present or receive a special treat. They get to brag about it until next Christmas.
Most believe that the Christmas Pickle tradition originated in Germany. However, 91% of people in Germany have never heard of it, meaning that its origins are unknown.
3. Mexico – The Night of the Radishes
Every year on December 23, in Oaxaca, Mexico, residents participate in a competition where they carve scenes on huge radishes for prizes.
4. Japan – Christmas Cake (AKA, kurisumasu keki)
Japan is famous for its Christmas dessert, kurisumasu keki, which consists of a sponge cake topped with strawberries, whipped cream, and, sometimes, chocolate. The kurisumasu keki could also be topped with Christmas decorations.
5. Australia – Christmas in the Summertime
Since Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas is during the summer season. On Christmas Day, families celebrate by grilling up food outside on a “barbie” (meaning grill). Then they will go and enjoy the beach. Santa Claus, otherwise known as Father Christmas in Australia, would make an appearance at the beach for the children. Sometimes, he would show up in a surfboard rather than his sleigh.
6. Norway – Hide the Brooms
On Christmas Eve, people in Norway hide their broomsticks before going to bed. They do this because they believe that witches and evil spirits come in the middle of the night to steal the brooms so they can fly.
7. United Kingdom – Christmas Crackers
Christmas Crackers are famous during the Christmas season in the United Kingdom. A Christmas Cracker, according to the BBC, is a three-chambered cardboard tube wrapped in bright-colored paper that is twisted to connect the two ends in the middle. The middle chamber consists of a joke, riddle, or toy, along with a paper crown.
A Christmas Cracker is designed to make a loud “crack” sound when two ends of it are pulled away from each other; when two people pull the cracker apart, it will be split into two parts. the person who has the middle chamber attached to the end wins the prize.
8. Italy – La Befana
Le Befana, similar to Santa Claus, is a witch who delivers Italian treats to good children, and coal to naughty children on the day before Epiphany, which is a holiday similar to Christmas.
9. Israel – The Candles of Hannukah
On the 25th of Kislev, the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar, Jews light candles on a holder known as a menorah to celebrate the ancient miracle of oil burning on candles. Hannukah lasts for nine days; to keep the candles lit for those nine days, one is supposed to light one candle per night. During these moments, people recite prayers and special blessings, sing songs, and give gifts.
Works Cited
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Momondo Team. (2017, October 25). The Top 11 Christmas Traditions Around the World. Momomdo Discover. Retrieved December 18, 2023, from https://www.momondo.com/discover/christmas-traditions-around-the-world
Night of the Radishes in Mexico in 2023. (n.d.). There Is a Day for That! Retrieved November 29, 2023, from https://www.thereisadayforthat.com/holidays/mexico/night-of-the-radishes
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