Have you ever wondered how other countries celebrate the holiday season? Surprisingly, many countries outside the United States have bizarre traditions you would have never imagined. See if you can match each of these eccentric traditions to its corresponding country!
1. Have a Kentucky Fried Christmas! The traditional Christmas dinner in this country is consuming an overflowing bucket full of Kentucky Fried Chicken. At first, Christmas was not even popular here, but persuasive business advertisements and Christmas propaganda have caused masses of people to wait in line and make reservations for this fast food chain. Outside you may see a colonel adorned in a Santa suit carrying a K.F.C.. barrel. Although in America this fast food restaurant is not too popular, this country feels that this food is a delicacy.
2. Not all holiday traditions carry a happy-go-lucky vibe. This country is known for its devilish monster named “Krampus.” Legend says that he is known to scare and frighten bad children who would normally receive coal in their stockings. While children in the United States often think about gifts in their sleep on Christmas Eve, children in this country feel scared as they fear seeing this beastly monster. Usually men like to indulge in this activity and go about the streets trying to frighten the children by giving them a jolting scare.
3. This group’s wild and crazy way to carol outshines the typical way the people in the United States sing Christmas tunes from door to door. Decked in vibrant, medieval attire, “Mummers” dress up as horses or ghosts and loudly belt the patriotic, traditional holiday songs of this country. People give “Mummers” food and drinks in exchange for their blessings. “Mummers” have been known to yield prosperity and luck to the common people. The music that you hear is rhythmic and consists of a mesh of pans, bottles and spoons.
4. Merging Halloween and Christmas, this country covers up Christmas trees with spider webs made from crystals, metal, paper and plastic. This practice originates from an old Christmas myth, which claimed that a spider’s job was to beautify Christmas trees by spinning webs all around them. The country hangs up fake spiders and wraps its trees with cotton webs in order to remember and appreciate this tradition. Unlike the traditions within the United States, Christmas trees in this country do not have the same glistening presence as they do here.
5. An unusual ornament is made into a simple yet enjoyable game in this country. A pickle ornament is hung on each Christmas tree and whoever finds the ornament first receives an extra Christmas gift from Saint Nicholas. Also, the lucky person who spots the ornament opens his or her presents first. Finding the ornament ensures good luck for the year as well. This competition is meant to keep families bonded during the holidays. If you want to receive an extra Christmas gift this year, get yourself a pickle ornament and partake in this clever tradition.
6. Who knew a goat would be symbolic of Christmas? This country has a man-made Yule goat that is displayed around the main town and serves as the giver of all gifts. Residents and visitors can pay a visit to the Yule goat to make hopeful wishes about receiving everything on their Christmas wish list. Townsmen also visit the goat when wishing to seek advice for the upcoming year. Made of straw and ribbons, this Yule goat is decorated in a festive manner and holds great importance in this country’s society.
Answers:
1. Japan 2. Austria 3. Latvia 4. Ukraine 5. Germany 6. Sweden
