Strange Christmas Traditions from around the Globe
Different countries celebrate Christmas in their own unique waysand traditions. In the United States, there is traditions where people believe in Santa Claus, sing Christmas carols, build snow mans, have feasts, parades, Christmas trees with brightly colored lights and more. In the United Kingdom, pudding is a tradition that is celebrated with making a wish while the pudding is being mixed. In Italy, instead of children waiting for Santa Claus to arrive in his reindeer sleigh, children expect to get gifts delivered from a witch called La Befana. In the Ukraine, Christmas trees are decorated with artificial spiders and webs.
In Japan, the Japanese send out their greetings with white Christmas cards because white stands as a symbol of snow and clarity. In Spain, the Christmas tradition is celebrated by displaying a nativity scene. In Norway, on Christmas Eve, it is believed that witches come out so all brooms in the house are hidden. In Latvia, people wear masks that resemble animals like bears, goats and horses. Christmas is celebrated around the world, but it is celebrated many different ways for people of different cultures.
In the United States, children are often told not to get onSanta's Naughty Listif they want to receive fine gifts. Hanging mistletoe and drinking eggnog is another part of the American tradition. In the Czech Republic, traditional fortune telling takes place to predict the future for the upcoming year. In Japan, their traditional meal starts with serving Kentucky Fried Chicken. So, wherever you may be during the Christmas season it is good to know how that country celebrates the Christmas season so you can join the fun.
Some of these celebrations of Christmas around the world may seem a bit unusual or bizarre to America, but to other countries our celebrations may seem a bit odd to them. These Christmas celebrations are a part of people's culture, heritage and history. In Catalonia, people gather around a log that is piled with treats for them to enjoy. Children in Catalonia sing songs and beat the log with sticks. Americans are now beginning to celebrate the Christmas season and for many people it usually starts with decorating their Christmas tree the day after Thanksgiving. Diversity is what it is called. While people respect the Christmas beliefs in America, we should respect other countries beliefs. Maybe this year you can try celebrating Christmas in your own unique way or start a new tradition.
