This year Christmas is going to be a little different. Here are a few traditions from around the world that might be fun to incorporate into our celebrations.
Looking for something to do on Christmas Eve? In Iceland, in a tradition called “Jolabokaflod” or the Yule Book Flood, they exchange books with one another on Christmas Eve and then spend the evening cuddled up with hot chocolate. Please feel free to swap out hot chocolate for your beverage of choice.
Does a big turkey seem like a lot of work for just the immediate family? In Japan Christmas isn’t really a thing but back in the 1970s KFC had a wildly successful ad campaign "Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!" or "Kentucky for Christmas!” It continues to this day with KFC having 2-hour long line ups at stores on Christmas day!
Single? In the Czech Republic on Christmas Eve, all the single people stand with their backs to the door and toss their shoes over their shoulder. If it lands with the toe facing the door it means that you’ll be married within the year. You decide whether that’s good or bad.
Need some luck? Although the Ukraine Christmas isn’t celebrated until January 7th. A fun tradition you could add to your repertoire is adding a spider web to your tree. It’s considered good luck and who couldn’t use a bit more of that as we usher out 2021.
Looking for an excuse to get out to the ice rinks? In Caracas, Venezuela it’s customary for people to roller skate to the Christmas service. It’s so popular that many streets are only open to foot/skate traffic to keep people safe. Maybe we could rejig that a bit and add a trip to the skating rink this year?
Are you a pickle lover? In Germany, a Christmas pickle ornament is hidden in the tree once it has been decorated and the child who finds the pickle first gets some sort of prize. No kids this year? It is thought to give the adult who finds it good luck. AGAIN, we all need some of that this year.
No matter what your Christmas looks like this year we wish you all the best. Stay safe and let’s agree to never mention 2020 again!
Merry Christmas!
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