5 Christmas Traditions From Around The World That Are Absurd, To Say The Least!
December has to be one of my favourite months after January. Why? Well, because December means Christmas time and I love the entire vibe of this festive season. The season where everything tends to be so magical and breathtakingly beautiful. But did you know that the way Christmas is celebrated in movies or how it is popularly celebrated, is not how the rest of the world celebrates it? I mean, there are so many places around the world that have such absurd and unusual Christmas traditions around the world that will take you by surprise for sure.
I have always loved almost everything about Christmas. The vibe during this festive season is cosy, magical, and calming to me. And my habit of wanting to know everything about things I enjoy or love has had me researching about Christmas traditions that take place around the world.
Also Read: 5 Christmas Songs To Get You In The Holiday Spirit
During my research, I came across some interesting, absurd, and unusual Christmas traditions that take place around the world. So, I thought “hey, why not share this?” and that’s how ladies and gentlemen, I came up with my list of 5 Christmas traditions from around the world that are absurd and unusual, to say the least.
Here’s the list:
1. Bad Santa in Austria
We all know about Father Christmas, Santa Claus, or Saint Nick, but all the nice, goody nature of Christmas takes a turn in Austria. Why? Well, because they have a ghoulish creature named ‘Krampus’ who is supposed to be an evil accomplice of St. Nicholas and is said to wander the streets of Austria looking for ill-behaved children. And so during the festive season, be prepared for people in terrifying masks trying to scare children and adults alike by playing pranks on them.
2. Befana Witch in Italy
When in Italy, forget about December 25th, Christmas, and Santa Claus, because according to them, there is an old witch by the name of Befana that arrives through the chimney and fills children’s stockings with candy and leaves them presents. And the Befana witch visits them on January 5th rather than December 25th.
3. Fried Caterpillar in South Africa
When you think about Christmas dinner, I’m sure the first thoughts would consist of eggnog, hot chocolate, mince pies, turkey, etc. but that isn’t what people in South Africa think about. For their festive season, they eat fried caterpillars that are covered in festive hues. And let me tell you, these are not your common caterpillars, they are the Pine Tree Emperor Moth that is also called the Christmas caterpillar.
Also Read: 5 Cosy Christmas Reads To Get You In The Festive Mood
4. Festive Sauna in Finland
This Christmas tradition is not absurd but is definitely unusual and also something I’d be very much okay with. During the festive season in Finland, they have a tradition to strip naked and take a long, respectful stint in the sauna – that is believed to be the home to legendary sauna ‘elf’. For the Finns, the sauna becomes a sacred space that they associate with their long-dead ancestors.
5. Roller Skate Mass in Caracas
In the capital of Venezuela, there is a tradition that has a number of city-dwellers going to the mass on Christmas morning on, wait-for-it, roller skates! This tradition is so well established in Caracas that many streets are closed to traffic from 8 am so that the roller skaters can get to church safely.
I don’t know about you peeps, but coming across such unusual Christmas traditions from around the world has me craving to travel and see them in person. I mean, who wouldn’t want to get in a sauna with Finns or want a gift or two from the Befana witch?
