The Strangest Christmas Traditions From Around The World

When it comes to the holidays, each family has their own set of traditions they like to stick to each year. It could be wearing matching pajamas for the day, always going for a post-lunch walk together, or even a movie that comes out year after year. Whatever the case, there are some that raise more eyebrows than others.

In fact, the strangest Christmas traditions from around the world go to show just how differently some nations celebrate the holidays. While they might not be the first things that we think of doing every time Christmas rolls around, perhaps it’s time to shake things up?

Krampus helps to keep naughty children in line in Austria

You might have heard of Santa, but what about something a little more sinister? He comes in the form of Krampus and can be found in Austria, where being on the naughty list really comes with a different meaning. It’s said that Krampus is the evil accomplice of Santa and scours the streets, looking for children who have been misbehaving. Nowadays, people in Krampus masks can often be seen in the streets across Austria, where they will likely be pranking people with practical jokes along the way. In fact, Vienna is even home to a Krampus parade that sees people in masks come out full force before the big day.

A Christmas morning roller skate is all a part of life in Venezuela

You might have heard of Santas doing all kinds of things throughout the holidays, but what about grabbing a pair of roller skates? If you head to Caracas in Venezuela, you might see just that, as it’s traditional for people across the city to go for a morning roller skate every Christmas. In fact, the tradition has become so big that streets will often close to cars from 8 am so that everyone can make it across the city in one piece. Some children will even sleep with one of the laces from the roller skates tied around their toes so that someone can simply pull on the skate to wake them up in the morning.

A traditional story sees people in Ukraine decorate their trees with spider’s webs

When you hear the word “Christmas,” there’s a good chance that spiders aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. Still, that’s the case for people celebrating the holiday in Ukraine, as it’s common to see people opt for decorations that look just like spider’s webs covered in dew instead of the trinkets so many of us are used to seeing. The tradition is said to go back to the day of a poor widow who couldn’t afford any decorations for her tree but wanted to give the children something to look forward to. After taking pity on her, the spiders banded together to spin beautiful webs all over the tree, with spider’s webs now thought to be a sign of good luck across Ukraine.

There are differing stories about how adding a pickle to the Christmas tree started

While it didn’t take long for people to start bringing Christmas trees into their homes, it’s thought it actually started in Germany in the 16th century. However, there’s something else that didn’t quite catch on around the rest of the world: adding a pickle to the branches. It’s said that whichever child finds the pickle among it all gets another gift, but some question if it’s actually a German tradition at all. Others argue that it originated in Spain when two young boys were held captive in a pickle barrel. It’s said that Saint Nicholas was the one to rescue them and bring them back to life, with others now honoring the saint at the holidays with a pickle on the tree.

The Netherlands has the Christmas tradition of shoes by the fire

The build-up to Christmas can be one of the most exciting times for so many children across the world. However, children in the Netherlands have something else to get excited about along the way, as it’s common for them to leave a pair of shoes by the fireplace in the days leading up to Christmas. The idea is that Sinterklaas might pay them a visit and leave small gifts, with naughty children getting nothing more than a potato. This is in return for the carrots that are left out for Sinterklaas to feed his faithful steed, a white horse called Amerigo.

The strangest Christmas traditions from around the world might sound unusual to the rest of us, but there is usually room for a few more family-fun things to do in the build-up to the holidays. Perhaps it’s time to travel the world and take them all in for ourselves?