Each country has its own Christmas traditions with families and all of society going all out to celebrate.
Some countries however take their traditions the more unusual route.
Here are some.
Finland
Finnish families start Christmas with porridge for breakfast.
The porridge is made of rice and milk with a sprinkling of milk, butter or cinnamon on top.
The aim is to find the almond inside and whoever finds it first wins by granting a wish.
Some families break the rules by hiding almonds to make the task more difficult.
Denmark
Christmas in Denmark is known as Jol, and it takes place before winter.
Danish people decorate their homes with Nisser, superstitious characters that protect.
On Christmas Eve, everyone dances around and sings carols in the middle of their Christmas trees which are placed in that position.
Netherlands
The Netherlands have their own Father Christmas named Sinterklaas.
The Dutch name for Saint Nicholas who wears a red cape, miter and long white beard.
Children leave a shoe by the chimney or back door to find sweets, treats and letters on Christmas morning.
Austria
Like many Alpine countries, Austria believes in an urban legend named Krampus.
Krampus punishes people for not believing in Christmas.
They say it joins the St Nicholas festivities where children have to write down a list of the good and bad things they did.
On Christmas morning, the good are rewarded with sweets whilst the bad worry about what Krampus will do to them.
Sweden
This Scandinavian country has its own symbol for the holidays that extends all the way back to the Pagan times.
The Gavle or Yule Goat is a giant goat made of straw and has a mass of more than 3.5 tons.
Every year it is constructed at Slottstorget on the first Advent day and stays there until the New Year where it gets demolished.
Pranksters try to burn it down but security is ramped up to the maximum.
The Phillipines
A giant lantern festival called Ligligan Parul takes place in San Fernando, a city in the Phillipines.
The city has been nicknamed the Christmas capital of the country.
Dazzling lanterns take centre stage that symbolize the Bethlehem star.
These lanterns have over a thousand spinning lights that illuminate the skies at night.
South Africa
Cookouts or “braaing” are what people in African countries enjoy during Christmas.
Steaks and local sausages are served for main courses followed by Malva custard pudding for dessert.
Ornaments and hand-made baubles make up each Christmas tree.
Mexico
The Christmas season in Mexico begins in the early days of December with Las Posadas.
Las Posadas is a religious march that tells the story of Mary and Joseph.
Members of the Church follow it up with the Pastorelas which is the shepherd’s play of the Christmas Story.
Poinsettias are also used throughout the country as decorations.
Martinique
Every advent and New Year’s Day, the French Caribbean island celebrates La Ribote.
Families visit their neighbors where they socialise and sing Christmas carols in unison during the early hours of the morning.
They also don’t arrive there empty handed as they get holiday food like yams, pork stew and pates sales.
Norway
Christmas in this country is called Julebord.
The celebrations begin on 3rd December with bars and restaurants filling up their places with as many decorations as possible.
On 23rd December, Norwegian families celebrate Little Christmas with each ritual in contrast.
These include making a gingerbread house, decorating a tree or consuming risengrynsgrot which is hot rice pudding.
What are your Christmas traditions? DM us and let us know!
