DECEMBER is a month of festivities the world over, and while there are some elements that seem to cross continents, every country has its own unique take on the year-end celebrations.
Here is a look at some interesting Christmas traditions across the globe.
Christmas in Germany
If you’re planning on visiting Germany around this time, you’ll be sure to come across one of the country’s many festive markets that are set up in the city squares.
However, the Christmas tree is only put up on Christmas Eve in Germany, with houses adorned in fairy rights.
Christmas in Norway
For Norwegians, Christmas Eve is a time to hide your home’s most treasured possession – the broom.
It’s a tradition dating back centuries, with people believing that witches would come out on Christmas Eve, looking for brooms to ride.
Christmas in Austria
You might want to give Austria a miss over Christmas time because they have a pretty dark tradition – the visiting of Krampus, the evil accomplice of St Nicholas aka Father Christmas. The tradition is that St Nick rewards the good girls and boys, while evil Krampus steals the naughty ones and whisks them away in his sack.
Pretty good motivation to be good!
Christmas in Columbia
For a more illuminating tradition, Columbia has Día de las Velitas (Little Candles’ Day) in honour of the Virgin Mary and Immaculate Conception.
For this day, people place candles and paper lanterns on windows, balconies and in yards with entire towns now lit up by elaborate displays.
Christmas in Iceland
Another country that favours a bit of Christmas mischief is Iceland, which celebrates the 13 days leading up to Christmas Day with gifts for good children, and rotting potatoes for naughty children.
Every evening, children leave their best shoes at the window and a different Yule Lad visits each night, leaving their chosen item in the shoes.
The Yule Lads are: Stekkjastaur (Sheep-Cote Clod), Giljagaur (Gully Gawk), Stúfur (Stubby), Þvörusleikir (Spoon-Licker), Pottaskefill (Pot-Scraper), Askasleikir (Bowl-Licker), Hurðaskellir (Door-Slammer), Skyrgámur (Skyr-Gobbler), Bjúgnakrækir (Sausage-Swiper), Gluggagægir (Window-Peeper), Gáttaþefur (Doorway-Sniffer), Ketkrókur (Meat-Hook) and Kertasníkir (Candle-Stealer).
Christmas in Venezuela
On Christmas Eve, Venezuelan citizens head to church early in the morning, but rather than walking, riding or driving, they get to church on roller skates. The tradition has become so popular that many roads are actually closed to cars, making it safer for the skaters.
Christmas in South Africa
While there is no set tradition across the country, the warmer weather generally calls for lighter meals, beach-time fun and often braais on Christmas Day with Boxing Day cricket a big attraction.
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