There are many weird and wonderful customs from around the world that make some Christmases just for locals. Take a look at these fun Christmas facts for a list of cultural creations to incorporate this festive season.
England
The mince pies traditionally eaten around Christmas time with a glass of mulled wine, were traditionally filled with beef and mixed spices in Victorian times, hence the name ‘Mince Pies!’
France
If you find an orange in your Christmas stocking this year, then you will be getting a slice of French history as well, as these were the gifts of French nuns in the 12th century for the poor.
Greece
In Greece it is customary to celebrate Christmas on January 7th in line with the Julian calendar, although presents could be opened a little earlier on New Year’s Day!
Australia
Australia currently holds a world record for the biggest Christmas cracker, which was created in 1991, and was 45.72 metres long, and 3.04 metres in diameter.
Russia
In one of the coldest countries on earth, Santa Claus needed an appropriate name to match, so the Russians decided to name their version, Deushka Moroz, or Grandfather Frost in English!
Norway
Every year since 1947, the Norwegian city of Oslo has delivered a Christmas tree to London as a goodwill gift for Britain’s help during World War 2.
Sweden
In Sweden the children usually eat sweets called Pepparkakor, which made of gingerbread and moulded into the shape of a goat!
Italy
Finally, Italian families celebrate the arrival of the Witch ‘Befana,’ who, instead of Santa, gives presents to children on Christmas!
Let me add Canada to this interesting list. Every year the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia sends Boston, Massachusetts a huge Christmas tree. The tree is a thank you for all the help the good people of Boston provided after an exploding munitions ship decimated the much smaller Canadian city during World War I.
Thank you for the interesting facts
Interesting…thanks much for collecting all that information. Many of the traditions here in Hawaii have to do with superstitions.
With Warm Aloha,
Pam
and what about our Xmas tree in the UK…. nice post thanks…
Very interesting post!.. Loved knowing such facts…
Hi thanks for these interesting facts
allow to add one of my country “Lebanon” and I don’t if it is performed elsewhere.
“…about two weeks before Christmas Day, people sow seeds, such as chickpeas, beans, wheat grains and lentils. However, these seeds are not sown in the soil, but on cotton wool. The seeds are regularly watered by them. After about 14 days, i.e. on Christmas, shoots come out of the seeds and are generally six inches high. Lebanese plant these shoots under the Christmas tree or any other place at home, to mark the birth of the Lord. ”
http://festivals.iloveindia.com/christmas/christmas-celebrations/christmas-in-lebanon.html
I really like that tradition. Thanks for sharing I think I will use it next Christmas.
Ack! Mince pies and fruitcakes are on my yuk list…………….lol
Thanks for sharing the interesting Christmas season traditions!
What an interesting collection of local information – thanks for sharing!
Let me add that people who are Orthodox in Poland celebrate Christmas on the seventh of January, as in Greece.
thanks for sharing…
Really interesting facts. Happy New Year!
Interesting! Just a thing – in Italy the witch Befana comes on the 6th of January to bring kids some sweets (or coal if the’ve been naughty) not on Christmas Eve or Day
And this is also considered the end of celebration.
Btw – thanks for the likes on my blog