It will not be an exaggeration to say that December is the happiest month in the world. Since Christmas, which is celebrated in almost every corner of the globe, falls on December, 25 people eagerly awaiting for this month to arrive. Many people think Christmas is on December, 25 and that is all when there is this glorious festival.
However, given the different Christian traditions in the world, Christmas lasts for a longer time in certain countries and it is therefore being celebrated at different times. Although the December, 25, date on which most people celebrate Christmas, there are some other dates as well.
In particular, Orthodox churches in Russia, Serbia, Jerusalem, Ukraine and other countries celebrate Christmas on January, 7, because they use the old “Julian” calendar. The Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas on January, 7, while the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church also celebrates it on the same day. Most of the Greek Orthodox Churches also celebrate Christmas on December, 25, but some still use the Julian calendar and celebrate Christmas on January, 7.
The American Apostolic Church celebrates Christmas on January, 6.
Christmas is a celebration with diversity and joy for people all over the world. Almost every country has its own unique traditions and celebrations. In this background, it will be really fun to read about or even experience the unique traditions that make other countries and cultures special. This article is about some such unique and even stranger Christmas traditions in several parts of the world.
Italy: The Christmas witch
In many countries, Santa Claus is the person that travels around the world and delivers gifts to deserving young children on Christmas Eve. Kids are told to be good because Santa is watching them and will know if they behave! On Christmas morning, good children are rewarded with gifts from this iconic figure.
But in Italy, there is someone else delivering gifts. Befana is the name of a witch who is said to travel around Italy on Epiphany Eve (January 5th) to deliver gifts to children all over the country. If the children were good all year, their socks are filled with candy and gifts. But if they were bad, they get nothing but coal.
Austria: Scary Santa
In many countries, we have Santa Claus. He takes gifts to all over the world on Christmas Eve and loves to eat milk and cookies along the way. But in Austria, there is a much more unusual figure associated with Christmas. While Santa rewards children that have been good all year and deserve treats and gifts, Krampus is the exact opposite.
He is half-man, half-goat and comes around to drag the bad ones away. He is a figure in the mythology of many Eastern European countries, including Austria and he comes during Christmas to punish children that have been bad. In the first week of December, young men dress up as the Krampus frightening children with clattering chains and bells.
Iceland: The yule lads
The Yule Lads are the suns of Gryla and Leppaludi. They are a group of 13 mischievous pranksters who steal from or harass the population and all have descriptive names that convey their favorite way of harassing. They come to town one by one during the last 13 nights before Yule. They leave small gifts in shoes that children have placed on window sills, but if the children were disobedient they instead leave a rotten potato in the shoe.
Germany: Saint Nicholas’ Day
Not to be confused with Weihnachtsmann (Father Christmas), St. Nicholas travels by donkey in the middle of the night on December 6 and leaves little treats like coins, chocolates, oranges and toys in the shoes of good children all over Germany, and particularly in the Bavarian region.
St. Nicholas also visits children in schools or at home and in exchange for sweets or a small present each child must recite a poem, sing a song or draw a picture. In short, he is a great guy.
But it isn’t always fun and games. Knecht Ruprecht accompanies St. Nikolaus dressed in black fur with a terrifying mask, loud chains and a staff! He carries a stick or a small whip in his hand to punish any children who misbehave. But these days he is often left out because he is quite frightening for small children.
Philippines: Giant Lantern Festival
The Giant Lantern Festival is an annual event during the Christmas season held in mid of December in the city of San Fernando in the Philippines. The festival features a competition of giant lanterns. Because of the popularity of the festival, the city has been nicknamed as the “Christmas capital of the Philippines”.
Originally, the lanterns were simple creations around half a metre in diameter, made from Japanese origami paper and lit by candles. Today, the lanterns are made from a variety of materials and have grown to around six metres in size. They are illuminated by electric bulbs that sparkle in a kaleidoscope of patterns.
Sweden: Yule goat
Since 1966, a 13 metre tall Yule Goat had been built in the centre of Gävle’s Castle Square for the Advent, but this Swedish Christmas tradition has unwittingly led to another tradition of sports, because people were trying to burn it down. The goat has been burned to the ground most years since its first appearance in 1966. As of December 2021, the goat has been damaged 38 times.
Colombia: Day of the little candles
Little Candles’ Day marks the start of the Christmas season across Colombia. In honour of the Virgin Mary and the Immaculate Conception, people place candles and paper lanterns in their window, balconies and front yards.
The tradition of candles has grown, and now entire towns and cities across the country are lit up with elaborate displays. Some of the best are found in Quimbaya, where neighbourhoods compete to see who can create the most impressive arrangement.
Norway: Brooms
Perhaps one of the most unorthodox Christmas Eve traditions can be found in Norway, where people hide their brooms. It is tradition that dates back centuries to when people believed that witches and evil spirits came out on Christmas Eve looking for brooms to ride on. To this day, many people still hide their brooms in the safest place in the house to stop them from being stolen.
US: A cozy fire on TV
During the winter, people that live in colder climates like to turn the heat up and stay cozy inside. If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere with a fireplace in your home, the winter is a great time to light it and let the warmth and glow from the fire warm your home. But even if you’re not lucky enough to have a fireplace, you can still enjoy the look of one on your TV.
The Yule Log is a TV tradition in the US that started back in the 1960s. It was originally aired on Christmas Eve or Christmas on TV (New York city’s WPIX), but has since expanded and there’s even now a version of it on Netflix. The “Show” is simply a stream of a fireplace burning with Christmas music playing in the background.
New Zealand: A different Christmas tree
For many countries, the pine tree is the traditional Christmas tree. Whether you have a real or fake one, they sit in our living rooms, get decorated, and have gifts placed under them. But in New Zealand, the ‘Pohutukawa tree’ blooms with bright red flowers during December and January.
This is actually summer in that part of the world, but Christmas is celebrated during the same time. This tree has important roots in Maori mythology and its bright red blooms and green leaves are a symbol of Christmas across New Zealand.
Greece: Christmas trees and boats
In the sea faring country of Greece, decorating Christmas trees and boats has been popular for centuries. The first known Christmas tree in Greece was put up by King Otto in 1833 next to a large decorated boat, which families traditionally erected to celebrate men’s return from sea voyages.
Today, in cities such as Athens and Thessaloniki, large lit up boats appear alongside trees.