It’s that special time of year, chilling outside over a BBQ with family all around and sharing Christmas Crackers. You know in other countries that would be a unique Christmas Day. What’s the norm for us can be strange to others, and honestly seeing what some other people get up to overseas during their Christmas seems strange to me. So in honour of Santa only being a few hours away from starting his trip we’ve compiled a list of what other people do around the globe to celebrate the holiday season.
Iceland – The Yule Lads
The children of Iceland aren’t visited by just one jolly fellow every year, they might get a visit from 13 mischievous trolls! In Iceland, in the fortnight leading up to Christmas, children will be visited by the Jolasveinar (Yule Lads). The Yule Lads are trolls that roam Iceland to drop off presents for good kids and rotting potatoes for the naughty kids. Oh and each troll has a name and they’re amazing! In English the names translate too: Gully Gawk, Sheep-Cote Clod, Stubby, Skyr Gobbler, Candle Stealer, Meat Hook, Pot Scraper, Spoon Licker, Door Slammer, Sausage Swiper, Window Peeper, Bowl Licker and my personal favourite, Door Sniffer. Door Sniffer is my kinda guy.
Japan – Happy KFC Christmas
I’ll be doing Christmas in Japan this year just for this. Christmas didn’t use to be celebrated that much in Japan, that was until the 1970’s happened. In the 70’s KFC successfully released an ad campaign which focused on families indulging in a bucket of KFC chicken every December 25th. It worked so well that a Christmas holiday KFC bucket can be ordered months in advance and people even go so far as to book tables at their local KFC months in advance too.
Italy – La Befana
In Italy, Santa Clause doesn’t deliver Christmas presents. Instead the Italians have La Befana, a wine-drinking witch who flies from home to home, sliding down the chimney and leaving sweets for children. The story goes that when the three wise men were invited to witness the birth of the Baby Jesus, La Befana was also invited to join them. However, she was unable to attend the birth of Jesus and was so devastated by this she now spends every Christmas delivering sweets. Oh and instead of milk and cookies, Italians leave out wine and sausages for La Befana. Are we sure this isn’t my auntie?
Wales – Mari Lwyd
Please remind me to never open the front door during the Holiday season in Wales. In Wales, they have a tradition in which they carry around the Mari Lwyd, a horse skull attached to a pole under a sheet. Mari Lwyd then goes door to door knocking on homes where people will be sung at, then they must sing to the Mari Lwyd and offer up some food or drink. If you thought carollers were a lot, they got nothing on the Mari Lwyd.
Catalonia – The Pooping Log & The Pooper
This, this is how I’ll tell my kids where Christmas gifts come from. In Catalonia they have two excrement themed holiday traditions. Meet Caganer (The Pooper) he is typically seen in the nativity scene letting one out alongside Mary & Joseph. As well as Caganer, we also have Caga Tio (The Pooping Log), which is a small stick with a big smile that goes on the dining table. If he gets fed everyday and is kept happy, kids are encouraged to beat Caga Tio with sticks on Christmas Eve and then he’ll poop out presents!
Austria – Krampus
Lastly, if anyone knows how to get kids to behave during Christmas it’s the Austrians. Meet Krampus, Krampus is a hairy, horned Beast that hunts naughty kids and keeps them in his wicker basket. Krampus actually works for Santa Claus as a “naughty kid” bounty hunter. Many towns in Austria actually celebrate Krampus on December 5th with many men dressing as the half goat demon.
