Christmas & Holiday Traditions from Around the World

I am writing a little excerpt about Holiday Traditions & Holiday Oddities from Around the World.  I have seen and been part of a few that are not "traditional" in the sense of Catholic Mass Type tradition.  I think they are fun to learn about and be part of...so here it goes!

The one that always makes me chuckle is The Pickle Ornament.

To start a tradition that will surely last,
Here's the story about the pickle of glass.
The night before Christmas it's hung on the tree
While everyone's sleeping, it's done secretly.
And on Christmas morning when you arise,
The first one to find it will get a surprise.
A family tradition for all to share
You'll look for the pickle year after year

I'm not quite sure why the German's chose a pickle to hang on their tree but they did.  Why you ask?  Well, here is why...

Here's the pickle “legend” from one Web site: “A very old Christmas eve tradition in Germany was to hide a pickle [ornament] deep in the branches of the family Christmas Tree. The parents hung the pickle last after all the other ornaments were in place. In the morning they knew the most observant child would receive an extra gift from St. Nicholas. The first adult who finds the pickle traditionally gets good luck for the whole year.” This Christmas pickle story, with a few minor variations, can be found all over the Web and in print inside the ornament package. It says that Germans hang a pickle-shaped glass ornament on the Christmas tree hidden away so it's difficult to find. The first child to find it on Christmas morning gets a special treat or an extra present."

I can't forget about Hanukkah.  Hanukkah is a relatively minor holiday in the Jewish year.  In the US, Christmas has brought more attention to it with it's gift-giving traditions.  Gifts are typically given at the time that candles are lit on the Menorah.  This gift giving concept, otherwise known as gelt, serves as a reminder to light the Menorah. 

Another tradition that I found to be quite odd comes from the Czech Republic.  It is a tradition among unmarried woman.  On Christmas Eve, the "single women" try and predict when they will be married or if it's a possibility in the next year.  The simply do this by standing with their backs toward the door of their home, then toss a shoe over their shoulder.  If the shoe lands with the toe facing the door, it means they will be married that next year.  If it faces the other way...obviously not.    

What a way to celebrate the holiday's and ring in the new year!



One I could not pass up on is one about witches and evil spirits.  In Norway, apparently, you should hide your brooms on Christmas Eve!  Who would have thunk it...a broom. 



Supposedly, the witches and evil spirits will come and steal your brooms on the holiday so they can ride around that eve.  Although this belief has faded through the years it hasn't stopped many from still hiding their mops, brooms and sweepers in their closet before hitting the sack!

How about a nice big bucket of KFC...that's Kentucky Fried Chicken if you aren't familiar with the abbreviated term.  Well, in Japan, it is a favorite on Christmas. 



This American favorite is so popular that you might need a reservation just to get a savory bucket of this fried delight!  Yum!

Krampus Night...now if this wouldn't give a little kid nightmares I don't know what will.  I believe that Austria may have the highest rate of good little girls and boys knowing that if they were naughty they might be beaten with a stick by some ill-behaved men running around in scary costumes. 

On December 6th men will dress up in the most scariest devil-like costumes and drunkenly run around the town hitting people with sticks and switches.  This has been known to take place also in Hungary, Bavaria & Slovenia.

One more tradition that I, and this may just be my opinion, find a bit odd as I don't associate pooping with Christmas or the Holidays, is the Pooping Log. 

Tió de Nadal, or "Christmas Log" or "Holiday Log", is a character in Catalan Mythology relating to a tradition in Catalonia.  This tradition is still celebrated Spain where you can purchase your own "log".  The log is hollowed out and a face and legs are added.  You must feed your "log" every day starting December 8th until Christmas Eve or Day depending on when you celebrate it, by feeding I mean place items inside the hollowed out log, such as small candies, fruits, nuts and other miscellaneous items.  On Christmas Eve or Day you put it in your fireplace and beat your "log" with a stick until it poops its contents.  Not that filing a hollowed out log that has a face and legs with household foods and beating it with a stick doesn't seem strange (well to me anyway) there is a song about it:

poop log,
poop turrón,
hazelnuts and cottage cheese,
if you don’t poop well,
I’ll hit you with a stick,
poop log!

And finally, my families Christmas tradition.  I was raised Catholic, but do not practice Catholicism.  But I do celebrate traditionally with my family.  I believe in Santa Clause and wrap gifts each year for my kids and write "FROM:  SANTA" on the tags.  I decorate my house with miscellaneous Santa statues, snowmen, reindeer and decoration, I light holiday scented candles and I decorate a tree with old childhood ornaments, new ones and pretty ribbon and lights.  I love this time of year...it is my favorite.  I bake cookies and send cards. 

 

My side of the family has a HUGE Christmas Eve celebration at someones house each year and there are always so many presents wrapped for the kids under the tree and I love watching each of their faces as they are opening each one.  It's a fun and happy time. 



So to you and yours, I wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy St. Lucia's Day, Happy Kwanzaa, Merry Las Posadas, Feliz Navidad, Happy Winter Solstice, Happy Bodhi Day...


For a wonderful treat for those friends that like something different go take a look at this...
http://theoldladyatheart.blogspot.com/2010/12/baskets-full-of-pin-up-up-girls-and.html