Unusual Christmas Traditions From Around The World

The festive season is fast approaching, which means the fairy lights, tinsel and baubles are about to get their annual dusting down...

But Christmas isn’t just about mince pies and twinkly lights (though, let’s be honest, those are essential). Around the world, people celebrate Christmas in all sorts of quirky, colourful, and downright magical ways. Whether you’re studying late for exams or juggling work and apprenticeships, take a break and enjoy these festive vibes!

Japan – KFC for Christmas?

Yes, you read that right! In Japan, fried chicken has become a classic Christmas treat. Families line up weeks in advance to get their bucket of KFC – it’s a tradition that started in the 1970s and is now part of the holiday routine. Who knew Colonel Sanders would become a holiday hero?

Mexico – Night of the Radishes

Every year on December 23rd, an art event called 'Noche de Rabanos' (Night of the Radishes) is held in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. The vegetables are sliced into pieces and positioned to form some really impressive sculptures, with the tournament attracting around 100 contestants each year - but why?

Well, it apparently dates back to the 16th century when, one year, the Oaxaca radish crop was so abundant that some radishes were forgotten and not harvested on time. When the radishes were dug up months later, they were very large and resembled different figures. Market merchants attempted to make their veggies more appealing by sculpting them. It eventually became so popular that the official competition was launched in 1897!

Poland – The Wigilia Feast

Polish families enjoy a special Christmas Eve dinner called Wigilia. The meal is meat-free and features 12 dishes representing the apostles. A sweet tradition? Everyone shares a piece of opłatek (a thin wafer) and wishes each other well – great for practicing those heartfelt “Happy Christmas” wishes!

Norway – Hiding the Brooms.

Norwegians have a unique tradition: they hide their brooms on Christmas Eve. Why? To stop witches and evil spirits from stealing them. So if you’re planning to be productive on Christmas Eve, maybe check that your broom isn’t gone… just in case.

Ukraine - Lucky Spiders

Not one for the arachnophobes, spiders and their webs are considered lucky among Ukrainians. So, instead of garlands, baubles, and stars, spider webs are often used to decorate their Christmas trees in the Ukraine!

Said to bring wealth and good fortune in the following year, the practice harks back to folklore in which a poor widow had no money to decorate her Christmas tree. During the night, spiders used the tears of her children to construct beautiful webs on the tree, and the family's fortunes improved the very next day!

Switzerland – Santa’s Wild Side

Forget the jolly old man in a red suit! In some parts of Switzerland, St. Nicholas is accompanied by scary companions called Schmutzli who carry sticks to scare naughty kids. Moral of the story: be good… or face the stick.

Spain – The Caga Tió

In Catalonia, kids love a log called Caga Tió (literally 'pooping logs). They “feed” it for days leading up to Christmas, then beat it with sticks on Christmas Eve to make it 'poop' presents and sweets. Weird? Yes. Fun? Absolutely.

Russia – New Year’s Christmas

In Russia, Christmas is celebrated on January 7th thanks to the Orthodox calendar. Families enjoy a big feast, attend church, and sometimes exchange gifts for New Year’s instead – because why not stretch the festive season?

Quick Fun Facts:

· In Germany, they have the Christmas pickle: hide a pickle ornament in the tree, and the first child to find it gets an extra gift.

· In Iceland, there are 13 'Yule Lads' who visit kids on the 13 nights leading up to Christmas. Some are cheeky, some are mischievous – all are hilarious!

· In the Philippines, the Giant Lantern Festival lights up the sky with colourful lanterns bigger than your living room. Seriously. Bigger. Than. Your. Room.

Whether it’s a snowy feast, a radish sculpture, or hunting for a hidden pickle, Christmas traditions around the world remind us of one thing: everyone loves a little magic at this time of year.

So, grab your hot chocolate (or iced coffee if you’re in Australia), put your feet up, and celebrate in your own festive style. And hey – maybe start a new tradition with your friends or colleagues this year.

From all of us here at TOTUM: Happy Holidays!