Recently updated on August 13th, 2023 at 03:20 pm
Christmas abounds with traditions, from a hanging a stocking to be filled with gifts to leaving a mince pie out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, but there are other, lesser known festive customs around the world that are entirely unique to those regions. Here are some of the most intriguing Christmas traditions around the world, some of which remain to this day.
CHINA
In China, Christmas is known as Sheng Dan Jieh and is celebrated by the nation’s community of Christians. Here, like in many western countries, a Christmas tree takes centres stage, but in China it’s called the ‘tree of light’ and is decorated with flowers, red paper chains and lanterns, while more paper lanterns are hung around the home.
SWEDEN
In Sweden, it’s been customary for around 400 years to celebrate St Lucia’s Day in the lead up to Christmas. On December 13th, a procession of light is held in which girls dressed in white gowns represent the mystical Queen of Light, parading through the streets holding a candle, with a wreath of candles in their hair. Other children dress as gingerbread men, elves and other seasonal characters while handing out saffron buns.
PORTUGAL
In Portugal, Christmas is seen as a time to be among family. And at this time, one of the most significant customs is the family meal, Consoada. Taking place late on Christmas Eve, after a day of fasting, the meal represents ‘comfort’ and typically features the salted cod bacalhau.
NORWAY
In Norway and other Scandinavian countries, Christmas features a yule goat known as the Julebukk, which originates from Norse tradition as a spiritual being that’s present between Christmas and New Year. This tradition led to people going from house to house dressed as a Julebukk at Christmas, while singing carols. Today, straw goat decorations are often hung on trees to represent this unusual Christmas custom.
GREECE
Across Greece, St Nicholas is said to be the patron saint of sailors, with many Greek ships displaying an icon of the saint on board. So while many countries commonly know St Nicholas as Santa Claus, in Greece the saint is characterised by a beard dripping with seawater.
ICELAND
In Iceland, rather than hanging a stocking out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, children put their shoes on the windowsill to be filled with treats by the Yuletide-lads. According to Icelandic folklore, these characters would visit children with either gifts or rotting potatoes depending on how they’d behaved that year.
Discover more of these unique Christmas traditions around the world on a festive trip with Trafalgar.
Image credits: Cover photo © iStock / srdjan111. A wintery scene in Sweden © iStock / lukutin77. A Norwegian tree decoration © iStock / froydiga. Christmas lights in Greece © iStock / kanvag.