Patricia raconte... Les traditions de Noël dans le monde

Summary

This video explores unique and fascinating Christmas traditions from around the world. From Portugal’s codfish dinner and Spain’s ‘El Gordo’ lottery, to the Ukrainian spider decorations and Italy’s Befana, each culture has its own special way of celebrating the holiday. The video also highlights quirky customs like the American Christmas pickle, the Australian beach barbecue, Japan’s KFC Christmas, and Norway’s hidden brooms to ward off witches. With heartwarming stories and fun facts, this video showcases how Christmas is celebrated in diverse and creative ways across the globe.

Takeaways

• 😀 In Portugal, Christmas Eve dinner often includes **bacalhau** (salted cod), and many believe **Jesus** places gifts under the tree instead of Santa Claus.
• 😀 Spain's **El Gordo** lottery is a huge Christmas tradition, with winners celebrated by singing the numbers, and the **Three Kings** bring gifts to children on January 5.
• 😀 In Ukraine, Christmas trees are decorated with **spiders** based on a folk tale where spider webs turn to gold after being touched by sunlight.
• 😀 Italy celebrates Christmas with **La Befana**, a good witch who delivers gifts to well-behaved children on January 5, leaving coal for those who misbehave.
• 😀 In the United States, the **Christmas pickle** tradition involves hiding a pickle ornament in the tree, and the first person to find it gets a special gift or privilege.
• 😀 Australians celebrate Christmas with a **beach BBQ**, a warm-weather twist on traditional Christmas meals, and Santa Claus is often seen in a swimsuit.
• 😀 Japan's Christmas tradition involves eating **KFC fried chicken**, a quirky custom that began in the 1970s and has become a popular holiday meal.
• 😀 In Vietnam, Christmas is a commercial celebration with **Santa Claus** arriving on a **motorbike**, adapting to the country's modern culture.
• 😀 Norway has a unique tradition of hiding **brooms** on Christmas Eve to prevent witches from stealing them for flying, based on ancient beliefs about evil spirits.
• 😀 Christmas is celebrated in many different ways across the world, each country incorporating unique customs that reflect their own culture and traditions.

Q & A

What is a traditional Christmas meal in Portugal?

In Portugal, the traditional Christmas Eve meal features *bacalhau* (salted codfish) served with potatoes and cabbage, a dish beloved by the Portuguese.

What is *El Gordo*, and how is it related to Christmas in Spain?

*El Gordo* is a famous Spanish lottery held on December 22. The winning numbers are sung by children, and the event marks the start of the holiday season, with the winners celebrating in the streets.

How do children in Spain celebrate Epiphany?

In Spain, gifts are given on January 6 during Epiphany. The Three Kings arrive on horseback to deliver sweets and gifts to children, who leave their shoes out for the Kings to fill.

What unusual Christmas decoration is popular in Ukraine, and why?

In Ukraine, Christmas trees are often decorated with spider webs. This tradition comes from a folk tale where a poor widow's tree was magically covered with webs that turned into gold and silver when touched by sunlight.

What is the story behind *La Befana* in Italy?

In Italy, *La Befana* is a witch-like figure who visits children on January 5. She brings sweets to good children and coal to naughty ones. Children leave stockings for her to fill with treats.

How do Americans celebrate the *Christmas Pickle* tradition?

In the U.S., the *Christmas Pickle* tradition involves hiding a pickle-shaped ornament in the Christmas tree. The first person to find it receives a special prize or is allowed to open gifts first.

What is a unique Christmas tradition in Australia?

In Australia, Christmas falls during summer, and many families celebrate with a barbecue on the beach. Santa Claus is often seen wearing shorts and enjoying the sunny weather.

How did fried chicken become a Christmas tradition in Japan?

In Japan, a clever marketing campaign by KFC in the 1970s made fried chicken a popular Christmas meal. Today, many Japanese families enjoy a KFC dinner on Christmas Day.

How is Christmas celebrated in Vietnam despite the holiday being commercial rather than religious?

In Vietnam, Christmas is a commercial celebration with streets and shops decorated for the season. Children receive gifts, and Santa Claus is seen arriving on a motorcycle rather than a sleigh.

What unusual tradition takes place in Norway on Christmas Eve?

In Norway, families hide their brooms on Christmas Eve to protect them from witches, who, according to folklore, are believed to come out on this night to steal brooms and fly on them.