A decorated tree, gifts, a family meal… Certain Christmas traditions are found in so many cultures that they have almost become universal. This is clearly not the case with these ones! A world tour of the most unusual Christmas traditions.
In Catalonia, Caga tió, the log that gives out gifts
In France, the Yule log is enjoyed as dessert at the end of a meal. In Catalonia, it is christened Tió, dressed in a woolly hat and cape and fed by children every day in December. Once Christmas comes, children gather around it: stick in hand, they shout “caga Tió” (literally, “poop, uncle”) hitting it on the back… until it releases their presents!
When witches are out and about, Norwegian brooms are put out of the way
In Norway, according to folklore, witches descend on houses on Christmas Eve to frighten humans and their offspring. To make it more difficult for them to get around, families hide their brooms and mops during the festive period. If there is no broom to hop onto, they can’t get up to any harm!
In Venezuela, Christmas masses take place on wheels
In the Venezuelan capital Caracas, certain roads are closed on the nights running up to Christmas to allow people to go to midnight mass… on rollerskates. It’s not exactly known how this tradition came to be, but some people say that it was an alternative to sledding or ice skating in this summer holiday period in the southern hemisphere.
Christmas Pickle, the American lucky gherkin
In certain American families, especially in the Midwest, one parent is tasked with hiding a small decorative pickle on the tree when they are decorating the house. At Christmas, just before the presents are opened, the other members of the household go to look for the hiddencondiment: the person who finds it is then guaranteed to have good luck all year long!
Jólakötturinn, a mountain cat that keeps an eye on Icelanders’ style
In Iceland, if you don’t want to be gobbled up by local folklore monsters, you had better buy yourself some… clothes! The blame lies with Jólakötturinn, an enormous cat that lives in the mountains and comes down as Christmas Eve approaches to eat up people who have not received any new clothes in a stew.
