Buzz
While spiders, graveyards, costumes, and spooky tales are staples of Halloween, they surprisingly find their way into certain Christmas celebrations. These unique customs and beliefs might make you wonder if the holidays got swapped.
10. Vegetable Carvings in Mexico
For those who dreaded vegetables as children, the Night of the Radishes might evoke the imagery of a chilling horror film. However, this event is a cherished tradition in Mexico, tracing its roots back to 1897 in Oaxaca City's main plaza. It has thrived ever since.
The festivities include parades, feasts, and dances, but the highlight is undoubtedly the radishes. These vegetables are intricately carved into stunning characters, scenes, and displays. Grown exclusively for this event, they are left in the ground to grow to extraordinary sizes, sometimes reaching lengths of 50 centimeters (20 inches) and weighing up to 3 kilograms (6.5 pounds).
Officially observed on December 23, the Night of the Radishes often extends its celebrations for several days, sometimes continuing past December 25, much like any lively festival.
9. Goblins in Greece
Greek legends tell of subterranean goblins called Kallikantzaroi, who emerge during the 12 days of Christmas to cause chaos. Described as hairy, black, and mostly human-like, these creatures are said to have horns and tails.
To ward off Kallikantzaroi, some Greeks burn incense or even stinky shoes in their fireplaces. Another common practice is marking doors with a black cross on Christmas Eve.
The most unsettling part of the myth is that babies born during the 12 days of Christmas are at risk of transforming into Kallikantzaroi as adults. A person might unknowingly become one, only realizing it around their 18th or 21st birthday. To prevent this, some traditions involve singeing the baby’s toenails or wrapping them in garlic and straw.
8. Spiders in Poland
If you often leave your spiderweb Halloween decorations up until Christmas, Poland might feel like home. In Polish tradition, spiders are seen as symbols of wealth and kindness. One legend tells of a spider weaving a web blanket to keep baby Jesus warm after His birth. Consequently, Polish Christmas trees are frequently adorned with artificial spiderwebs and spider-themed ornaments.
This custom also exists in Germany and Ukraine, inspired by distinct tales. A Ukrainian story recounts a poor mother who couldn’t afford tree decorations. Miraculously, her children awoke to find their tree draped in spiderwebs. Though initially unimpressive, the webs transformed into silver and gold when sunlight touched them, ensuring the family’s prosperity.
7. Bug Consumption in South Africa
While gummy worms and bug-shaped candies are Halloween favorites, in parts of South Africa, Christmas calls for the real deal. A traditional holiday feast there isn’t complete without a generous serving of deep-fried emperor moth caterpillars. Considered a delicacy, these caterpillars are a festive treat for many families.
Caterpillars are surprisingly nutritious, boasting higher protein levels than fish or beef. For every 100 grams, over half is protein, 17 percent is carbohydrates, and they provide 430 kilocalories of energy. Depending on the species, they can also be rich in iron, calcium, potassium, and various vitamins.
6. Witches in Bavaria
In Austrian and Bavarian folklore, a witch named Berchta determines which children have been diligent or lazy over the year. During the 12 days of Christmas and Epiphany, she travels through the land, entering homes unseen to reward or punish. Hardworking children find a silver coin in their shoe, while lazy ones face a gruesome fate: their stomachs are slit open, their guts removed, and replaced with straw, stones, and trash.
Berchta’s name originates from the Epiphany feast, known as Berchtentag. In Slovenia, she is called Frau Faste, meaning “the lady of the Ember Days.” Her traditional Feast Day, Berchtaslaaf, is celebrated by the Urglawee culture of Pennsylvania Germans and Dutch on December 31, also known as Elfder Dagg and Zwelfdi Nacht (“The Eleventh Day” and “The Twelfth Night”).
5. Monster Cannibals in Iceland
Icelandic folklore features an ogress named Gryla. Similar to Santa Claus and Berchta, Gryla possesses the ability to discern whether children have behaved well or poorly throughout the year. However, unlike Santa or Berchta, she focuses solely on punishing misbehaving children, showing no interest in rewarding the good.
During Christmas, Gryla descends from her mountain home to search nearby villages for her next meal. Her preferred dish is a stew made from naughty children who have disobeyed their parents. Known for her insatiable appetite, she never faces a shortage of food.
Gryla wasn’t originally associated with Christmas, but in the 17th century, she was connected to the Yule Cat and the Yule Lads, becoming recognized as their mother.
4. Ghost Stories in England
In the not-so-distant past, eerie ghost stories were a staple of Christmas Eve celebrations. Even Andy Williams’s timeless holiday song “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” mentions, “There’ll be scary ghost stories / And tales of the glories / Of Christmases long, long ago.”
In Victorian England, Christmas and ghostly tales were as inseparable as tea and crumpets. A prime example is Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, where the story’s heart revolves around four spectral visitors. Historically, Christmas was deeply tied to the supernatural, with the belief that the veil between the living and the dead was thinnest on Christmas Eve, allowing spirits to cross over for a night.
3. The Devil in Guatemala
While one might assume the devil has no place in holiday festivities, Guatemala celebrates La Quema del Diablo, or The Burning of the Devil, every December 7.
Residents clean their homes and gather trash, old clothes, and broken furniture, placing them in front of their houses. They then create a devil effigy and place it atop the pile. Following the celebration’s name, they set the pile ablaze, symbolically driving away the devil and preparing for baby Jesus. This act is believed to purify homes and provide relief from year-long troubles.
In recent times, many have shifted to burning small piñatas and old bills indoors instead of trash. Additionally, businesses have embraced the tradition by selling devil effigies. Regardless, Christmas wouldn’t feel complete without some commercialization.
2. Cemeteries in Finland
In Finland, it’s a tradition to visit the graves of loved ones on Christmas Eve, leaving lit candles as a tribute. For those whose relatives are buried elsewhere, they still visit the nearest cemetery to light a candle in remembrance. This practice ensures that Finnish cemeteries are illuminated by countless candles on Christmas Eve.
Even individuals without deceased loved ones often walk through cemeteries to admire the festive atmosphere. The influx of visitors is so significant that special traffic measures are implemented to manage the increased number of vehicles on the roads.
Other nations also honor the deceased during Christmas. In Portugal, a traditional Christmas morning feast called Consoda serves as both a celebration and a memorial. Families set places at the table for departed loved ones, paying tribute to their memory.
1. Costumes in Newfoundland
In Newfoundland, a unique tradition combines elements of trick-or-treating and Christmas caroling.
Individuals called mummers or janneys dress in homemade costumes and roam neighborhoods, visiting homes. They knock on doors, play music, and dance on front steps while homeowners attempt to identify them by asking questions.
To further conceal their identities, mummers change their voices, often using ingestive speaking, where they speak while inhaling deeply. Once recognized, they remove their masks and are usually invited inside for food and drinks.
In the past, mummering was more communal, as nearly everyone knew each other in small towns. Today, the tradition is more cautious, with people less willing to open their doors to masked strangers. Mummers often inform friends in advance to ensure they aren’t turned away.
