Christmas Around the World

For most of us, Christmas is a holiday we celebrate on the 25th of December which celebrates the birth of Jesus. For us, decorating our trees, baking cookies and opening holiday presents have become a staple tradition in our households. But in different countries our traditions vary greatly. Here are some interesting Christmas traditions around the world!

Japan: What does a typical Christmas dinner look like for you? In America, at Christmas dinner we typically eat a roast turkey or a ham served with tons of side dishes. In Japan, its citizens celebrate the holiday with Kentucky Fried Chicken. This tradition started in 1974 with a campaign called “Kentucky for Christmas!” This tradition is celebrated by millions of people in Japan, it even has people ordering their boxes of KFC months in advance!

Iceland: In Icelandic folklore, they have something called the “Yule Lads.” The Yule lads are 13 brothers who are sons of mountain trolls that are known for their antics. The Yule Lads visit homes during the 13 days leading up to Christmas and leave gifts based on how children behave. If children behave, they get a nice small gift. However, if the children are misbehaving, the Yule Lads might leave a potato for the child instead!

Australia: All the way in the Southern Hemisphere, Australians celebrate Christmas in very warm weather. Here on the east coast, we associate Christmas with snowfall and freezing temperatures. However in Australia, instead of snow angels, they celebrate the holiday outdoors on the beach. Even Santa Claus is modified to the Australian weather, where instead of his sleigh being pulled by reindeers, they are pulled by kangaroos. It’s common for families to gather for barbecues, picnics and play water sports during this holiday season in Australia.

Every country has its own interesting traditions. While they may be odd, it brings holiday cheer and spirit to each family!