Move over, ugly Christmas sweaters, elves on the shelves, and even elves on the shelves dressed in ugly Christmas sweaters! The world is full of quirky winter traditions that make even spiked eggnog at the office holiday party and popcorn strung on the tree seem relatively tame. Get ready to sing your Krampus Carols and bundle up— things are about to get zany as we explain some of the frosty follies foreigners favor!
- A Book Blizzard in Iceland
We’ll begin with one for the librarians out there (given that The Wred Feather meets in the LRC each Thursday and is run by the LRC Director). In Iceland, the holiday season is marked by the Jólabókaflóð, or “Yule Book Flood,” where people exchange books as gifts on Christmas Eve. It’s not just a charming tradition—it’s a strategy to survive the long, dark nights. After unwrapping their literary treasures, Icelanders cozy up with their books and a warm beverage. The tradition warrants gifting bookmarks, as well, since they consume so much hot cocoa as they read late into the night, that they could use a placeholder to take a bathroom break or two… or five.
- A Fermented Feast in Greenland
In Greenland, Christmas dinner comes with a side of adventure—or maybe just a strong stomach. Locals enjoy kiviak, a delicacy made by fermenting small seabirds called auks inside a seal carcass for several months. It’s a meal so potent that Santa’s reindeer would probably pass out from the smell.
- A Soaring Santa in Switzerland
In a quaint Swiss village, Santa Claus doesn’t just slide down chimneys—he zip-lines into town. Locals cheer as “Schweizer Claus” swoops in on his sleigh, often led by goats (moonlighting as a reindeer) on a pulley system. Not long ago, the goat version of Rudolph caused mayhem by passing over Lake Geneva and landing on a baked goods kiosk in the bustling Christmastime market, below.
- A Bonding Bath in Estonia
If you thought Finland cornered the market on sauna traditions, think again. In Estonia, the whole family crams into the sauna on Christmas Eve to relax, bond, and possibly sweat out the calories from an alarming number of holiday cookies. Just don’t sit on Grandpa’s favorite bench—that’s a faux pas in any culture!
- The “Colonel”’s Christmas in Japan
While many dream of a holiday ham or turkey, Japanese families opt for buckets of fried chicken on Christmas Eve. Thanks to a wildly successful 1970s ad campaign, KFC has become a yuletide staple in Japan. The Colonel himself would be proud—let’s see what The Little Drummer Boy can do with these drumsticks!
- A Broomstick Brigade in Italy
While Santa works overtime in December, Italy’s holiday action heats up on January 6th, when La Befana, a kindly witch on a broomstick, delivers goodies to children. She’s like Santa’s cooler, goth cousin—complete with soot-smudged cheeks and a fondness for wine. Some Italians leave her a glass of fermented grape juice, instead of milk.
- Tarantula Tinsel in Ukraine
While the rest of us decorate with tinsel and ornaments, Ukrainians also hang artificial spiderwebs on their Christmas trees. According to folklore, a poor family once woke to find their bare tree transformed by industrious spiders spinning webs of silver and gold. Today, artificial webs are used, though some argue this tradition is actually just an excuse to avoid dusting.
- A Polar Plunge in Canada
Across Canada, folks celebrate the New Year by leaping into icy waters, presumably to chase away any lingering regrets from December’s questionable life choices. While many participants claim it’s “invigorating,” experts note that most screams are due to frigid water and not sudden enlightenment.
- High-protein Holiday in South Africa
In South Africa, children look forward to chewing on fried Emperor Moth caterpillars during the holidays. High in protein and crunch, these crispy critters are considered a treat—and, I dare say, they’d probably pair wonderfully with Japan’s KFC Christmas buckets.
- Santa & Saunas in Finland
Like Estonian traditions, Finnish families prepare for Christmas by sweating it out in the sauna—and, according to local lore, Santa might just pop in for a steamy chat. Nothing says “holiday spirit” like sitting semi-exposed, in a towel next to a jolly old man in a red hat asking if you’ve been good.
- Monstrous Mammals in Austria
Unlike the Schweizer Claus soaring goats (those pleasant little scamps!) in its neighboring nation, Austrian goats are harbingers of doom during the holiday season. A goat-like, horned creature called Krampus seeks naughty children on December 5th with the intent to punish them and return with them to his underworld realm. Adults also cosplay as Krampus to frighten their neighbors. I don’t know about you, but I’ll take Santa any day—even though “breaking and entering” is a Class 3 felony in Illinois, at least he means well, and he’s not setting off any demonic Amber alerts.
- Winter Wheels in Venezuela
In Caracas, getting to church on Christmas morning involves more than punctuality and faith—it requires wheels. Locals roller-skate to early Christmas morning Mass, zipping through the streets of the city at sun-up. Police close roads to cars to accommodate the holy skating pilgrimage. Bells toll, fireworks pop, wheels whoosh, and somewhere, a reindeer eyes his hooves and weeps in envy.
13. Ravishing Radishes in Mexico
In Mexico, shopkeepers and artists look forward to showcasing their wares on the evening of December 23rd, which marks La Noche de Robanos. This translates into “The Night of the Radishes.” The artists have carved entire sculptures and scenes solely out of radishes, featuring topics such as the nativity, local flora and fauna, and famous landmarks. The best designs win prizes or bragging rights and are often sold off as Christmas centerpieces to the highest bidder. This radish tradition just can’t be beet!
14. Psychic Sneakers in Czechoslovakia
In the Czech Republic, single women take holiday matchmaking into their own hands… er… their own feet. On Christmas Day, they stand with their backs to their front door and toss a shoe over their shoulder. If the toe points toward the door, wedding bells may be in their future. If the heel points out, it’s another year of being single. Ladies with a good arm and keen aim can also use a tossed shoe to knock some sense into busybodies asking, “When will you finally settle down?”
15. Excreting Evergreens in Spain
At the beginning of December, families around Catalonia find themselves with an interesting guest, the “Caga Tío” otherwise known as The Pooping Log. Decorated with a Santa hat, grinning expression, and sometimes even a blanket to keep it warm, the Caga Tío is “fed” once a day by children putting food scraps inside the hollowed-out log. Don’t let this generosity mislead you however, because their hospitality ends on Christmas Eve. The children, armed with sticks, sing Christmas carols while beating the log until it.. poops. That’s right, adults hide candy and small toys underneath the log’s blanket so that when the children take a whack at it, it appears to defecate treats. If that’s how the Catalonians treat all their guests, I think I’ll stay in a hotel (That’s Spanish for “hotel” by the way.)
16. Swiping Swiffers in Norway
Forget mistletoe or stockings—Norwegians hide their brooms on Christmas Eve. Why? To prevent a visit from witches and other evil spirits who might be tempted to take them for a midnight joyride. It’s an ancient precaution that’s surprisingly effective—no reported broom thefts have occurred since the 1800s.
17. Burning Beelzebub in Guatemala
In Guatemala, December 7th is all about starting fresh by figuratively burning the devil. Families gather to torch likenesses of the devil in massive bonfires, symbolizing the purging of evil. It’s like spring cleaning but with more fire. On the bright side, it occurs just in time to get rid of those ugly holiday sweaters you don’t want to have to look at again on your spouse this year.
18. Playful Pickles in Germany… the U.S…
It is said that on Christmas Eve, Germans hide a pickle ornament deep within their Christmas tree’s branches. The first child who finds it on Christmas morning earns good luck—or, more importantly, the first choice of presents. Germans deny such a tradition, and historians insist it started as an American marketing scheme preying on folks’ nostalgia. There are a few widely different origin stories for this practice, but if you choose to follow this, apparently American tradition, just make sure to use an ornamental pickle instead of a real one. There’s nothing lucky about finding a month-old, squishy, moldy pickle. Although you could leave it out on a plate with a glass of curdled milk for Krampus.
Aunt Myrtle’s fruitcake might still take the prize for the strangest holiday custom, but these traditions remind us that winter is a time for fun, frolic, and, occasionally, frosty weirdness. Whether you’re a Swiss Santa zip-lining over the market or churchgoers zipping through the streets on skates, there’s no wrong way to celebrate. (Except maybe that Krampus thing, PTSD does not a merry Christmas make.) The Wred Feather wishes you a relaxing and joyful season full of chill and cheer! Happy Holidays, and may your traditions always keep you warm (or at least entertained), and may your pickles always be easy to find!
