A world tour of whacky Christmas traditions 🎄

The Christmas season is fast approaching, with its magic and presents and tinsel. We often associated this period with merry markets, illuminated windows and streets, Christmas trees and family feasts, but how is it in other countries? Let's discover the traditions of 20 countries across the world!

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Mexico

In Mexico, the holidays last three weeks! From 16 December, Mexican's celebrate Las Posadas for nine days, which symbolises the journey to Bethlehem. It is often recreated by children through candlelight processions. Pinata parties are often held during the posadas, as well as nativity scenes. Finally, it is only on 5 January, the feast of the Magi, that the children receive their gifts!

Ireland

In Ireland, Guinness and mince pies are left at the foot of the tree for Santa. Traditionally, the Irish light a candle in the window to signify that they are ready to welcome Mary and Joseph. And, don't be shy, the "12 pubs of Christmas" is a tradition where you drink 12 pints, each from a different pub. Finally, in Dublin, the more adventurous sometimes even go for a swim in the icy sea on 25 December.

El Salvador

The festivities in El Salvador are a real explosion of light: fireworks are the main attraction. As there are few regulations in the country, families buy and light their own fireworks throughout the 24th and 25th of December. It is also customary to wear at least one new item of clothing on New Year's Eve and to go swimming at the beach the following day.

Guatemala

Cutting down trees is illegal, so no tree is decorated in Guatemala: instead, Guatemalans recreate a tree using branches from local trees. Another ancient tradition is to "burn the devil" on 7 December, in order to cleanse houses and exorcise evil spirits. Effigies of the devil are burned publicly in bonfires in the city: this means that the festive season has begun.

Norway

In Scandinavian countries, pagan traditions are mixed with Christian ones: to protect oneself from evil spirits and witches, it is customary to hide brooms from the house, to avoid witches riding on them. You should also leave a bowl of porridge for the Nisse, the Christmas elves, or you will fall victim to their tricks.

Ukraine

In Ukraine, Christmas decorations are inspired by an ancient tale. According to legend, a widow who could not afford to buy decorations for her tree found it covered in cobwebs on Christmas morning, shining in the sunlight, much to the delight of her children. After that, the widow and her children never wanted for anything. Since then, spider webs have become a symbol of good luck and it is common to decorate Christmas trees with spider web ornaments.

Greenland

Let's go to Greenland to discover a surprising Inuit speciality: kiviak. The preparation of the dish must begin several months before the holidays. It consists of up to 500 auks, small local birds, fermented in a sealskin and buried under a pile of stones for several months. After the meal is eaten, various games are enjoyed, including one where an object is passed under the table in an attempt to guess what it is.

Colombia

In Colombia, cities are decorated with a magical touch during the holidays: Christmas is celebrated on 8 December. This is done through El Dia de las Velitas, in honour of the Virgin Mary. In the evening, as soon as the sun sets, the cities are adorned with small candles in parks, squares, on the pavements, in homes, etc. This is followed by traditional music and reunions with neighbours, family and friends.

Iceland

In Iceland, the Yule Lads, thirteen merry trolls, are said to wander the streets and visit the children in turn 13 nights before Christmas and 13 nights after. If the children have been good or not, the yule will leave a present or a rotten potato in a sock hanging in the window. Each of the trolls has its own name and costume, including the Door Knocker, the Ravine Dandy, the Sausage Thief and the Meat Hook. A sort of funny bogeyman, each of them has a crazy mission, such as stealing pots and pans, eating leftover food or Christmas cakes, slamming doors at night to scare the inhabitants, or following children to steal their candles.

Russia

In Russia, Christmas is not celebrated on 24 December but on the night of 6-7 January, as this is the date of the Orthodox Christmas in the Gregorian calendar. It is on 31 December that Father Frost (their Father Christmas) and his granddaughter Snigertchka give presents to children, so it is a family New Year. Indeed, Christmas festivities and Christmas trees were forbidden until 1991 following the revolution. The Russians therefore got into the habit of celebrating the New Year rather than Christmas. The meal, with the typical dish of kutya (a pudding made of wheat, poppy seeds and grapes) officially begins when the first star appears in the sky. They honour the memory of the deceased by leaving a loaf of bread on the table during the night.

Canada

In Canada, they also aspire to the title of 'Father Christmas country'. Children write to Santa at his address at the Canadian North Pole. Every year the Toronto Cavalcade of Lights takes place, a tradition that has lasted for almost 50 years. This event takes place around Nathan Philips Square, which is decorated with a thousand lights for the occasion. It is a real fairy tale that ends with one of the most beautiful fireworks shows in the world. On Christmas Eve, milk and biscuits are laid out for Father Christmas to visit. Gifts are often opened on Christmas Eve.

Italy

As in Norway, witches are present at Italian Christmas: the country has many beliefs that differ from region to region. On 25 December, gifts may be distributed by Father Christmas, Bobo Natale or Gesy Bambino. Italian Christmas begins on 8 December and ends on Epiphany, 6 January, a day after the Befana (a witch riding a broom across the sky) distributes sweets to good children. Another custom is the Novena: during the 9 days before Christmas, children go door to door dressed as shepherds to sing and collect sweets. A mixture of Christmas and Halloween.

England

Did you know that the practice of Secret Santa began in England? It's also here that the tradition of sending Christmas cards to each other began. Another tradition we created is that of the huble Christmas cracker - which is certainly something to be proud of... depending on how good the joke inside is.

Finland

This is the country most known around the world as the home of Father Christmas, in Rovaniemi! So it was impossible for us not to mention it in this list of Christmas traditions. Santa's world-famous Christmas village is a real enchantment for children (but not only!). It features small illuminated pavilions, numerous attractions and workshops, small specialised shops, and of course the village post office where letters from children all over the world arrive. In Finland, the Pikkujoulut or "little Christmases" are also celebrated throughout the month of December, culminating in a Christmas sauna on the 24th and 25th.

Greece

Christmas in Greece is less important than Easter, but this does not prevent them from having their own traditions. A common tradition is that children ring the doorbells and sing kalandas (traditional songs) in exchange for a little change. The Greeks only receive their presents on 1 January, brought by Saint Basil. Another special feature is that it is customary to decorate boats and light them up, rather than a tree, as a nod to Hellenic heritage.

Germany

Germany is said to have the best Christmas markets! As for the special features, Germany is one of the biggest fans of Advent calendars, which are very common in German homes. It is a bit different in the south-east of the country where children ask for presents from the Christkind, a little girl who is symbolised in parades. The culinary tradition of the country is the traditional dessert, the Stollen. Finally, it is not uncommon for children to receive their presents on St Nicholas Day, 6 December.

Sweden

The festival is launched on 13 December, the day of Saint Lucia, the patron saint of light. Swedes parade through the streets, dressed in white and carrying a candle, and eat Lussekatter, saffron and grape buns, for breakfast. As in South East Germany, St Lucia is symbolised by a young girl. The New Year's Eve lunch is a real feast. An old tradition is to accompany each gift with a little sonnet or a rhyming verse. It is a long festival in Scandinavian countries, as Christmas ends 20 days later, on 13 January.

Japan

Christmas is a very recent holiday in Japan, so the traditions that have formed since its introduction are very different from those we have mentioned so far. For example, it is normal not to celebrate Christmas Eve as a family but as a couple to celebrate their love and declare their love for each other. But the real peculiarity of Japanese Christmas is the custom of eating fried chicken! This tradition started as a result of a KFC marketing campaign in 1974, and is now a popular place to spend Christmas.

United States

As well as Thanksgiving, Christmas has a very important place in the United States. Americans also decorate houses, streets and mailboxes with little white and red candy canes. An original tradition is to hide a pickle-shaped decoration in the tree, which will bring luck to whoever finds it. It is also common to hang stockings over the chimney for Santa to fill with sweets and small gifts. The typical Christmas drink in the United States is Egg Nog, made with egg, rum, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Spain

In Spain, presents are opened on 6 January, which corresponds to the days when the Three Wise Men brought their gifts to the little Jesus. To celebrate this holiday, the Spanish have organised an annual Spanish lottery on 22 December since 1812, with the possibility of winning no less than 2.24 billion euros! On the culinary front, turrón, a type of nougat, is the most popular delicacy during the holidays. And on 28 December, the Spanish celebrate the day of the "Holy Innocents" by playing pranks on each other: halfway between April Fool's Day and Christmas!