In this country, Santa is on roller skates for midnight mass. And in this country, they forgo the fancy dinners for KFC. (For those of you out of the loop, that’s Kentucky Fried Chicken. You’re welcome.) So, while most of us are not traveling the world extensively this season, we have a list of some of the world’s weirdest holiday traditions, and some that may be pretty good ideas to riff on, to bring a little bit of the world home to you.
In this country, Santa is on roller skates for midnight mass. And in this country, they forgo the fancy dinners for KFC. (For those of you out of the loop, that’s Kentucky Fried Chicken. You’re welcome.) So, while most of us are not traveling the world extensively this season, we have a list of some of the world’s weirdest holiday traditions, and some that may be pretty good ideas to riff on, to bring a little bit of the world home to you. As for the KFC — that tradition is in the “to each his own” bucket. Pun intended.
Country: Venezuela
Tradition: Roller-Skating to Christmas Mass
How They Celebrate: When Christmas falls in the summer instead of winter, sledding is out of the question. But who needs snow-based transport when you can roller-skate instead? That’s the custom in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas. And since Christmas mass is celebrated for nine days straight — December 16–24 — that’s a lot of skating. So much so that the government shuts down streets at mass times to make it safe for skaters. Legend has it that, during this holiday time, children go to bed at night with a long string tied around their toe and left dangling out the window so skaters passing by the next morning can tug on the string and wake them.
Country: Japan
Tradition: KFC on Christmas
How They Celebrate: Christmas isn’t a huge deal in Japan, but thanks to Takeshi Okawara, former CEO of KFC in Japan, a tradition emerged anyway. In 1970, Okawara mimicked the idea of the giant American Christmas feast and began to sell a Christmas “party barrel,” which replaced the traditional main meat with fried chicken. Under the name “Kentucky for Christmas,” the barrels reportedly filled a cultural void for a population that is only about one percent Christian. Today, the barrels have become more elaborate and include desserts and wines. For those who aren’t super-psyched on Christmas cooking, this could be a welcome option. But if you’re in Japan, you better preorder weeks in advance or risk waiting in hours-long lines.
Country: Norway
Tradition: Pickled Herring on Christmas
How They Celebrate: In Norway, the season from late November through December is a time for joy, whether in the Christmas markets, cozied up at home, or at “Julebords” — fanciful parties where friends and families gather to celebrate around good food, lit trees and gingerbread houses. The most important day, though, is December 24, when everyone exchanges presents and enjoys a feast that must include pickled herring. Unlike in the United States where meat is a mainstay, Scandinavians prize herring as a bearer of prosperity and joy, and no Christmas is complete without some variation of the fish. During the tough years after World War I, many say herring saved the country. Now, herring salads and spreads served with bread are thought to be a requisite for Christmas cheer. (If you want a taste for yourself, head to Aquavit in NYC, one of our favorite Scandinavian spots in any season.)
Country: Iceland
Tradition: Jolabokaflod (“Christmas Book Flood”)
How They Celebrate: Imagine after a big Christmas Eve dinner, spending the night cozied up by the fire with your family and a good book. In Iceland, this is the norm. Ever since World War II, Icelanders have the tradition in which each family member receives a new book on Christmas Eve and spends the night before Christmas reading it. During the war, most products were rationed except for paper, so books became a popular gift while others were tough to come by. Every year since 1944, households in Iceland receive a book bulletin in November, from which they can choose the books to give each other. The books are wrapped up along with some chocolate, and once Christmas Eve rolls around, everyone opens them before spending the night snuggled on the couch with a cup of hot cocoa and their new book.
Country: Ghana
Tradition: Fufu
How They Celebrate: You will find Christmas celebrated similarly and as enthusiastically in Ghana as in the United States, albeit with hotter temperatures. While some traditions like Christmas trees are often passed over, friends and families gather to celebrate the holiday by trading gifts and attending church services with one and other. Also like in the US, the holidays are a time for Ghanaians to forget about their waistlines and indulge in festive food. But don’t expect ham and potatoes. In Ghana, they celebrate with okra soup and a favorite dish made of starchy yam paste called Fufu. The hearty staple is often eaten with hands and dipped in an accompanying soup. While it may seem simple, Fufu is a beloved dish that represents the warm Christmas spirit.
Country: Italy
Tradition: Cena Della Vigilia (“Feast of the Seven Fishes”)
How They Celebrate: Ironically, if you ask many Italians about this Christmas Eve tradition, they might not know what you’re talking about. Though Cena Della Vigilia has roots in the Roman Catholic practice of abstaining from meat on holidays and the biblical number seven, the tradition of a large feast of fish is entirely American. Italian immigrants likely brought the customs of eating fish and fasting with them when they came to the United States, and thus a new holiday tradition was born. For Cena Della Vigilia, Italian-Americans spend Christmas Eve feasting on dishes made from at least seven different types of fish, including mussels, lobster and eel, and some families make up to 12 or 13 different dishes. If you’re a fish lover, whether Italian or not, this could be the new Christmas tradition for you.
Country: Austria
Tradition: Krampus
How They Celebrate: In Austria, the first week of December looks a little like the last week of October for Americans. That’s because young men dressed as the dreaded Krampus parade around chastising bad children and bringing them coal instead of St. Nicholas’ beloved presents. Krampus, thought to be of St. Nick’s evil companion, is a half-goat, half-demon horned figure whose pre-Christian folkloric origins have haunted children in Austria for as long as Christmas has been around. If you find yourself in Austria in December, watch out, as your business or event may be visited by the feared beast.
