Christmas traditions bring festive joy, but some global customs are so unique they might make Santa blush. From undead horse parades in Wales to carving radishes in Mexico, these holiday customs show that Christmas can be both merry and marvellously strange. Here’s a look at some of the world’s quirkiest Christmas traditions, guaranteed to add an unexpected twist to the season.
Dolls of la Befana at the Christmas Market in Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy – Image by Monica Costa
1. La Befana – Italy
In Italy, the Christmas season stretches beyond 25th December with the arrival of La Befana, a wine-drinking witch who visits on the eve of the Epiphany (5th January). Folklore has it that La Befana missed her invitation to the birth of Jesus and now searches for the Christ child, bringing presents for well-behaved children and coal for the naughty ones. Families leave out wine and sausages to welcome her, adding a touch of Italian magic to the holidays.
2. The Catalan ‘Caga Tió’ – Spain
Spain’s Catalonia region brings us the wonderfully odd tradition of Caga Tió, or “The Pooping Log.” A log with a painted smiley face is brought indoors, dressed in a traditional red Catalan hat, and “fed” with food scraps in the days leading to Christmas. Then, on Christmas Eve, children beat it with sticks, singing a song urging it to “poop” out presents, which then miraculously appear beneath it. It’s both quirky and adorable, a perfect example of Catalonia’s lively holiday spirit.
3. Kentucky Fried Christmas – Japan
Thanks to a wildly successful 1970s KFC campaign, Christmas in Japan now revolves around fried chicken! Families across Japan flock to KFC on December 25th, often pre-ordering a festive chicken feast weeks in advance. Known as “Kentucky for Christmas,” this unique tradition includes special holiday packages and has become so popular that some families consider KFC their official Christmas meal.
4. Mari Lwyd – Wales
In South Wales, the ancient and superstitious tradition of Mari Lwyd brings an eerie twist to Christmas traditions. This involves parading around with the “Grey Mare,” created by draping a white sheet over a pole topped with a horse skull. Groups carrying Mari Lwyd go door to door singing, and residents must sing back to appease her. If the household holds their own in song, they earn some festive food or drink in return. This tradition, rooted in Celtic folklore, adds a spectral side to Wales’ holiday celebrations.
5. The Yule Lads & Yule Cat – Iceland
Iceland’s Yule Lads bring their unique brand of mischief to the season, visiting children one by one during the 13 nights leading up to Christmas. Each Lad has a quirky speciality – like Spoon Licker or Door Slammer – and leaves small gifts or a potato in children’s shoes, depending on their behaviour.
But beware of the Yule Cat, a monstrous feline said to prowl the Icelandic countryside on Christmas Eve. Legend has it the Yule Cat will devour anyone who hasn’t received new clothes for Christmas, a spooky tradition originally meant to encourage finishing holiday chores and shopping.
6. Night of the Radishes – Mexico
In Oaxaca, Mexico, December 23rd sees the start of La Noche de Rábanos (Night of the Radishes), a vegetable-carving contest featuring intricate sculptures of nativity scenes, animals, and mythical creatures, all made from oversized radishes. The result is a visual feast of holiday-themed creativity, attracting thousands of visitors each year and adding a truly unique flavour to Mexican Christmas celebrations.
7. Broom Hiding – Norway
In Norway, the Christmas spirit comes with a dose of superstition as families hide their brooms on Christmas Eve to prevent witches and evil spirits from taking them for a midnight joyride. While the custom isn’t as widely practised today, it remains a spooky reminder of Norway’s rich folklore and superstitious heritage.
8. Throwing Shoes – Czech Republic
In the Czech Republic, Christmas Day holds the promise of love and marriage – at least for unmarried women, who toss a shoe over their shoulder toward the front door. If the shoe lands with the toe pointing outward, it’s believed that marriage is in the cards for the coming year. If the heel points inward, however, it’s a sign of single-hood for a little longer.
9. Gävle’s Giant Goat – Sweden
Each year in the town of Gävle, Sweden, a giant straw Yule Goat is constructed as part of the holiday celebrations. But the real spectacle is the ongoing battle between organisers and vandals, who try to set the goat ablaze each year. Though it’s meant to symbolise holiday cheer, the Gävle Goat’s fiery fate has become a beloved, if accidental, part of Swedish Christmas folklore.
10. Carp in the Bathtub – Poland
In Poland, a traditional Christmas Eve dinner includes fresh carp, often kept alive in the family’s bathtub until it’s ready to be cooked. While some Poles now opt for less hands-on preparation, others maintain this practice, especially families with young children who enjoy “befriending” the fish before it becomes part of the holiday meal.
11. The Christmas Pickle – Germany and the United States
The Christmas Pickle is an endearing custom, believed to have originated in Germany, though its true roots are unknown. The tradition involves hiding a pickle-shaped ornament deep within the Christmas tree, with the first child to find it receiving an extra gift. Popular in Germany and parts of the U.S., it’s a fun game that adds a dash of mystery to the holiday.
Bringing the World’s Holiday Spirit Home
These bizarre yet delightful Christmas traditions remind us that the holiday season is truly a global celebration, filled with fun, folklore, and festivity. Why not try something new this year – maybe a round of Christmas pickle hunting, a spooky Yule Cat warning, or a sing-off with Mari Lwyd? Embracing a quirky custom can add something truly memorable to your own family’s Christmas, and you just might start a brand-new tradition along the way.
So, as you deck the halls this Christmas, remember: the world is filled with wonderful ways to celebrate, each one adding its own touch of magic, mischief, and maybe a bit of festive mystery!
