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The holiday season is upon us once again, bringing with it a variety of cherished traditions—decorating the Christmas tree, attending church or mass on the holiday itself, and enjoying a festive meal with family after tearing open a mountain of gifts. However, Christmas customs can vary greatly across the world, with some practices appearing quite unusual and others downright bizarre. This list highlights a few of the most extraordinary and long-standing Christmas traditions.
10. The Christmas Book Flood: Iceland
Iceland gained independence from Denmark in 1918 but only became a fully established republic in 1944. During the Great Depression, the country faced strict import limitations, inflation, and rationing, which caused shortages in various goods.
The one product that was not affected by these restrictions was paper, leading to books becoming the preferred Christmas gift. This tradition persists in Iceland today, where every year, households receive a catalog of the year’s newly published books. People then select books to give to their loved ones during Christmas. Most of the available books are sold out by November. This tradition is called the Christmas Book Flood.
The 'flood' refers to the massive influx of books hitting the shelves at this time of year. On Christmas Eve, these books are eagerly unwrapped, and recipients dive right into their new stories, often accompanied by a generous serving of chocolate. As the holiday season wraps up, print media are flooded with book reviews.
9. Spending Time with Santa’s Sisters: China
In China, books might not top the Christmas wish lists, but ‘Christmas apples’ are a highly popular gift. These apples are often decorated with an image of Santa, along with general holiday wishes.
Instead of the usual ‘elves’ found in Christmas displays, China features women accompanying Santa Claus, known as Santa’s friends or sisters. These women assist in distributing gifts, and they can be found not only in shopping malls but also in parks and other public spaces.
8. Watching Donald Duck: Sweden
Sweden boasts one of the most charming holiday traditions worldwide. Every Christmas Eve, families gather around the television to watch *Donald Duck and His Friends Wish You a Merry Christmas*. This live TV special features clips from the 1930s to the 1960s.
During this time, no other activities take place. Moms don't cook, children don't snack, and the program is never recorded for later viewing.
This unique tradition dates back to when Sweden had only two TV channels and could only access Disney content during the holiday season.
7. Finding Love and Gifts: Czech Republic
An ancient tradition in the Czech Republic says that if an unmarried woman throws a shoe over her shoulder on Christmas Eve and it lands pointing toward a door, she will marry in the upcoming year. It’s also believed that cutting an apple in half and finding a core with four corners brings bad luck, while five corners will bring happiness and good health.
In this tradition, there is no Santa Claus delivering presents on Christmas Day. Instead, Baby Jesus brings the gifts and announces his arrival by ringing a bell. If children misbehave, they don’t receive presents but instead a lump of coal on December 5th, when they are visited by St. Nicholas, an angel, and the devil.
6. Christmas Sauna: Finland
The essence of Christmas in Finland revolves around family and loved ones gathered around a table filled with delicious food and desserts. On Christmas Eve, Finnish families head to the sauna to enjoy some peaceful moments before the hustle of Christmas Day begins.
To create a festive ambiance, candles, lanterns, and sauna oils are used, but first, the sauna must be thoroughly cleaned. Afterward, family members dress in their finest Christmas attire before exchanging gifts and sharing a delightful meal. According to Finnish tradition, gifts are also offered to the sauna elf.
5. Hiding Brooms from Flying Witches: Norway
In certain regions of Norway, traditional Christmas customs are still cherished, with families donning their finest clothing on Christmas Eve and creating decorations for the Christmas tree. This is also when they enjoy their main holiday meal and exchange gifts. Following the festivities, they sing carols and walk around the Christmas tree in two concentric circles.
There’s a belief that Christmas Eve offers an opportunity for witches to emerge from hiding in search of brooms. To prevent this, all brooms are carefully hidden during this time.
4. Day of the Little Candles: Colombia
On December 7th, Colombia celebrates the Immaculate Conception, which unofficially marks the beginning of the holiday season there.
On this night, it’s a tradition to place candles or lanterns inside homes on windowsills and outside on balconies and porches. Public spaces like parks also feature candles, creating a glowing spectacle visible from afar. The following day, many households display a white flag adorned with an image of the Virgin Mary. Even graves are illuminated on December 8th as part of the holiday observance.
3. Keep the Fire Burning: Scotland
Scotland is home to a wide range of Christmas customs, including the typical traditions like fireworks, Christmas pudding, and attending church services. However, some Scots continue older practices, such as burning branches of the Rowan tree to clear any bad energy between loved ones, while others celebrate by dancing around bonfires or carrying burning barrels on their heads.
Fire plays a central role in Scotland's Christmas celebrations, with many families keeping a fire burning throughout Christmas Day to ward off evil spirits. Mistletoe is also hung in doorways to protect the home, keep negativity at bay, and invite good fortune.
2. Bonfire of Dried Thorns: Iraq
On December 24th, Iraqi families gather to celebrate Christmas by selecting one child to read the Nativity story while the rest of the family holds candles. After the story, a pile of dried thorns is set alight and transformed into a bonfire.
As the thorns burn, hymns or psalms are sung. If the fire burns the thorns down to complete ashes, it is considered a sign of good fortune for the family. However, it is customary for everyone present to jump over the ashes three times while making a wish.
In churches, bonfires are also set up while a baby Jesus figure is carried through the church on a crimson cushion. The service concludes with the bishop bestowing a blessing on the congregation, known as the 'touch of peace.'
1. Christmas in the New Year: Egypt
In Egypt, Christians observe a strict 45-day fast, during which they refrain from eating meat or dairy products. This fast spans from November 25th to January 6th, with Christmas Day being celebrated on January 7th. The fast ends on Christmas Day after church services, when families gather to enjoy a meal of soup, meat, rice, and special Kahk biscuits.
Before Christmas, churches and homes are decorated with lights, nativity scenes, and Christmas trees. Churches are adorned with lamps and candles, symbolizing the lights Joseph used to protect Mary while she gave birth in the manger.
