Top 10 Weird Holiday Traditions From Around The World

As the holiday season approaches, many of us look forward to the traditional events that come with it. From exchanging gifts to decorating the tree, there are countless activities that bring joy to our lives. But in many countries around the world, there are some strange and unique customs that have become part of their holiday traditions. From eating unusual dishes to dressing up in strange costumes, here are the top 10 weird holiday traditions from around the world.

1. KFC in Japan: In Japan, it has become popular to celebrate Christmas by eating KFC. This tradition was started by an American expat in the 1970s and has since become a national phenomenon. On Christmas Eve, KFCs all over the country are packed with customers ordering special holiday buckets of chicken.

2. Krampus in Austria: If you’re looking for a more sinister holiday tradition, look no further than Krampus in Austria. This half-goat, half-demon creature is said to punish naughty children during the Christmas season. Krampus parades are held each year in some Austrian towns, with people dressed as the creature and carrying switches to scare the children.

3. Avilon in Mexico: In Mexico, the traditional holiday dish is called Avilon. It’s made from pork, beef and chicken, all boiled together and served with a variety of sauces. The dish is said to bring good luck and is often served on Christmas Eve.

4. Tio de Nadal in Catalonia: In Catalonia, Spain, the holiday season is celebrated with the arrival of a special character called Tio de Nadal. This figure is made from a log that is dressed up and placed in the fireplace. On Christmas Eve, children hit it with sticks and sing songs in order to receive presents.

5. Spider webs in Ukraine: In Ukraine, it is believed that a spider wove a web over the baby Jesus to keep him warm. As a result, it is customary to put spider webs up in the house on Christmas morning. The webs are made out of cotton wool and said to bring good luck to the family.

6. La Befana in Italy: In Italy, La Befana is a traditional character that visits children on Epiphany Eve (January 5th). She is said to bring gifts to good children and coal to naughty ones. La Befana is often portrayed as an old woman flying on a broomstick.

7. Yule Lads in Iceland: In Iceland, the Yule Lads are 13 mischievous trolls that come down from the mountains to bring gifts to children during the Christmas season. Each day of December, a different Yule Lad visits and leaves presents for the children.

8. Carolling in England: In England, carolling is a popular activity during the holiday season. Groups of people go from door to door singing traditional Christmas songs. At the end of the performance, they usually receive a gift of food or money.

9. Caganer in Catalonia: In Catalonia, Spain, the traditional nativity scene is called Caganer. It features a figure of a man in the act of defecating. This strange custom is said to represent fertility and abundance for the coming year.

10. Kiviak in Greenland: In Greenland, the traditional dish for Christmas is called Kiviak. It’s made by stuffing a seal carcass with around 500 small auks (a type of bird) and burying it in the snow for several months. The dish is said to bring good luck.

From eating unusual dishes to dressing up in strange costumes, there are many weird holiday traditions around the world. While they may seem strange to us, they are an integral part of the cultures they come from. So, as we celebrate the holidays this year, let’s take a moment to appreciate the diversity of cultures and traditions around the world.