- Ist.
Jakarta – Christmas Day is a widely celebrated holiday observed annually on December 25th. It marks the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, a central figure in Christianity.
For many, it's a time of religious significance, honoring and rejoicing in the birth of Jesus, who Christians believe is the son of God and the savior of humanity.
Traditionally, it involves attending church services, exchanging gifts, spending time with family and friends, decorating homes with festive lights and ornaments, and partaking in special meals.
It turns out that not all countries celebrate Christmas in the same way. Some places even have unique events or rituals to celebrate Christmas to New Year. Well, here are five Christmas traditions across the globe, as quoted from Livemint site.
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1. Krampus (Austria and Germany)
In certain regions of Austria and Germany, a custom features Krampus, an anthropomorphic figure with horns believed to accompany Saint Nicholas. Krampus is known for disciplining misbehaving children, providing a stark contrast to the benevolent image of Santa Claus.
2. Cavalcade of Lights (Venezuela)
In Caracas, Venezuela, it is a tradition for the streets to be closed to cars on Christmas Eve morning so that people can roller-skate to church. This unique tradition, known as the “Cavalcade of Lights," has become a popular and festive Christmas celebration.
3. The Yule Lads (Iceland)
In Iceland, there is a folklore tradition involving the Yule Lads, mischievous creatures who visit children over the 13 nights leading up to Christmas. Each Yule Lad has a distinct personality and is known for playing pranks or leaving gifts in shoes left by children.
4. Gavle Goat (Sweden)
In Gavle, Sweden, a giant straw goat is erected in the town square every year as a Christmas decoration. However, it has become a tradition for locals to try to burn down the Gävle Goat. Despite efforts to protect it, the goat is sometimes set ablaze by vandals.
5. Kallikantzaroi (Greece)
Greek tradition warns of Kallikantzaroi, mischievous goblins who are believed to emerge during the 12 days of Christmas to cause trouble.
In Japan, the tradition of eating KFC (Kentucky Fried Chicken) at Christmas is very popular. Although there is no strong Christian tradition in Japan, successful KFC advertisements in the 1970s managed to embed the brand as a popular Christmas dish in the country.
