Christmas traditions around the world

_Elsa_

Something is bugging Elsa. She can’t put her finger on it. She has a lot of articles of countries that celebrate December and winter holidays without Christmas. Even though Christmas might be a religious thing, it can also be a secular family holiday too. With that in mind, she decides to look up Christmas traditions around the world to see what she can find.

‘There are so many Christmas traditions in the United States: trimming your Christmas tree, baking holiday cookies, and opening Christmas presents, to name a few. But what are Christmas traditions around the world like? You'll soon find that many countries celebrate the holiday differently than the United States does. Not only do some populations eat different Christmas food, but you'll also see that Christmas isn't even observed on December 25 in some places. 

Although you may find that some yuletide rituals remain the same, like singing carols, decorating a Christmas tree, making advent calendars, and feasting on a lot of Christmas ham, we think the following Christmas traditions around the world may surprise you. You may even wish we celebrated in similar ways here (who wouldn't want to visit the stunning traditional Christmas market at the historic market square of Goslar, Germany, pictured here?). How about waking to find rotten potatoes left in your shoes by a mischievous Father Christmas? Or Kentucky Fried Chicken for your Christmas dinner? Believe it or not, those are actual Christmas traditions around the world. 

From Christmas by the beach with fresh seafood in New Zealand, to hot porridge that keeps families warm during the cold Finland winter, you'll discover just how different these global holiday traditions are. What's more, we think you'll wow your family during your Christmas party with all of the following interesting Christmas trivia.’ (Source) 

Let’s continue - More Christmas traditions

Start at the beginning - Not everyone celebrates Christmas