10 Wonderful Christmas Traditions From Around The World

Summary

Discover 10 fascinating Christmas traditions from around the world, each offering a unique way to celebrate the season. From Iceland’s 13-day Yule festival with mischievous Yule Lads to Venezuela’s roller-skating churchgoers, and Colombia’s Little Candles Day, these traditions showcase the diverse ways different cultures embrace Christmas. Learn about Ukraine’s sparkling spider webs on Christmas trees, Austria’s Krampus festivities, and Canada’s grand Santa Claus parades. Whether it’s the joy of giving, the magic of lights, or quirky customs, these traditions are sure to inspire your own holiday spirit.

Takeaways

• 😀 Iceland celebrates Christmas for 13 days, with Yule Lads visiting children and giving gifts or rotten potatoes depending on their behavior.
• 🎄 In Ukraine, Christmas trees are decorated with spider webs as part of a folklore legend where a widow’s tree was mysteriously covered in shimmering webs.
• 🎆 The Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando, Philippines, showcases massive, illuminated lanterns created by 11 villages, attracting people from all over the world.
• 🐐 Sweden celebrates Christmas with a giant straw Yule goat in Gävle, which has been destroyed 35 times over the years by those attempting to burn it down.
• 👹 In Austria, Krampus, the evil accomplice of St. Nicholas, scares naughty children with chains and bells during the first week of December.
• 🎁 In Russia, Babouschka (grandmothers) deliver gifts to children on January 7, in a tradition based on the biblical story of a woman repenting by giving gifts to children.
• 🧹 Norwegians hide their brooms on Christmas Eve to prevent witches from stealing them for midnight rides, a tradition dating back centuries.
• 🍚 In Norway, people leave porridge with butter for the gnome-like nisse, who will cause trouble in the barn if not properly appeased.
• 🕯️ Colombia’s Little Candles Day on December 7 kicks off Christmas celebrations, with people lighting candles and lanterns throughout their homes and neighborhoods.
• ⛸️ In Venezuela, roller-skating to early morning church services is a unique Christmas tradition that runs from December 16 to 24 in Caracas.
• 🎅 Canada boasts a grand Santa Claus Parade in Toronto, the largest and oldest in the world, along with the beautiful Cavalcade of Lights to mark the start of the holiday season.

Q & A

What is the Yule Lads tradition in Iceland?

In Iceland, Christmas is celebrated for 13 days, with the Yule Lads, 13 mischievous trolls, visiting children each night leading up to Christmas. Well-behaved children receive gifts in their shoes, while naughty ones get rotten potatoes.

Why do people in Ukraine decorate their Christmas trees with spider webs?

In Ukraine, it is believed that a poor widow and her children once found their Christmas tree covered in beautiful, sparkling spider webs. This legend has inspired the tradition of decorating trees with spider-shaped ornaments and webs.

What is the Giant Lantern Festival in the Philippines?

Held annually in San Fernando, the Giant Lantern Festival is a competition where villages create huge, intricate lanterns, often up to 6 meters tall, illuminated by electric lights in dazzling patterns. It’s known as a major event in the Philippines' Christmas celebrations.

What is the significance of the Yule Goat in Sweden?

In Sweden, a giant straw Yule Goat is displayed in Gävle every December 1st. The tradition stems from the old custom where the Yule Goat helped deliver presents. However, the goat has become infamous for being set on fire, with attempts to destroy it every year.

What is Krampus and how does it relate to Christmas in Austria?

Krampus is a demon-like figure in Austrian Christmas traditions, known for punishing naughty children. On St. Nicholas Day, people dress up as Krampus, frightening children with chains and bells, while St. Nicholas rewards the good ones.

Why do Russians celebrate Christmas on January 7th?

Russians celebrate Christmas on January 7th due to the use of the Eastern Orthodox Church’s Julian calendar. In Russia, instead of Santa Claus, gifts are given by Babouschka (grandmother), a figure based on the biblical woman who didn’t give a gift to baby Jesus.

What is the tradition of hiding brooms in Norway during Christmas?

In Norway, there’s a centuries-old tradition of hiding brooms on Christmas Eve to prevent witches from stealing them for a midnight ride. Additionally, Norwegians leave out porridge with butter to appease nisse, a mischievous spirit who could cause trouble if not fed.

What is the Little Candles Day in Colombia?

Celebrated on December 7th, the Little Candles Day in Colombia marks the start of the Christmas season. People decorate their homes and streets with candles and lanterns in a dazzling display, often competing for the title of the best-decorated house.

What is the tradition of roller-skating to church in Venezuela?

In Caracas, Venezuela, it is a Christmas tradition for people to roller-skate to early morning church services between December 16th and 24th. Roads are closed to traffic to ensure the safety of skaters, making it a unique part of the holiday celebrations.

What is the significance of the Santa Claus Parade in Toronto, Canada?

Toronto’s Santa Claus Parade, held on the third Sunday of November, is one of the oldest and largest in the world, attracting half a million people. It marks the official start of the Christmas season in Toronto, where lights and snow add to the festive atmosphere.