Looking to add some extra holiday magic to the season? Look no further than these twelve global holiday traditions that you can incorporate into your own winter festivities.
1. Santa Lucia Day
I learned about this celebration when I was child, thanks to Kirsten the American Girl Doll. It is celebrated in Sweden (and other Scandinavian countries) and Italy in honor of the Italian St. Lucia. On December 13, the oldest daughter in the family dons a white gown, a red sash, and a wreath of candles crowning her head. She serves breakfast to her family on a tray (traditionally lussekatter rolls and coffee) to symbolize the spirit of giving during the darkest time of the year.
2. Bodhi Day
Bodhi Day is a Buddhist holiday celebrated on December 8 (although the traditional holiday is based on the Lunar Calendar, meaning that it changes from year to year). It commemorates the enlightenment of the Buddha, and is therefore a quiet holiday spent in meditation and prayer. Some Buddhists will decorate a Bodhi tree and enjoy tea and cookies. Many will use the day to practice simple acts of kindness.
3. Ukrainian Spider Webs
In Ukraine, legend has it that, many years ago, a poor family grew their own Christmas tree from a pine cone. The children naturally wanted to decorate the tree, but the family couldn't afford such glittering luxuries. Spiders took pity on them and spun webs around the tree. When the morning sun arose, the tree glistened in hues of silver and gold. To this day, Ukrainians associate spider webs with good luck, adorning their Christmas trees with the silky threads.
4. La Befana
In Italy, children don't put out stockings and milk and cookies for Santa Claus, they leave their shoes and wine and sausage and broccoli for a witch known as La Befana. Legend has it that the Magi asked her for directions to see the Christ child and invited her to come along, but she said that she was too busy sweeping and cleaning. Later, she changed her mind, but it was too late. She now flies around on her broom at Christmastime, delivering presents and coal, much like Santa Claus.
5. Kentucky for Christmas
In the 1970s, Kentucky Fried Chicken decided to capitalize on the lack of holiday traditions in Japan and created "Kentucky for Christmas." It's now a tradition in Japan for people to order Christmas dinner from KFC months in advance. KFC sells fried chicken, cake, and even champagne for the event.
6. Christmas Pudding
In the UK, it is traditional to booze up their holiday by pouring brandy over a traditional Christmas pudding dish and lighting it on fire! This is usually performed by the head of the household. They then lead a procession, the rest of the family, oldest to youngest, following along and singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" as the cake burns. The flames burn off all of the alcohol, so this treat can be enjoyed by every member of the family.
7. Diwali
Diwali is a Hindu holiday that originates in India. It celebrates the triumph of good over evil, of light over darkness, using candles to symbolize this victory. The holiday is celebrated with traditional foods and a feast, rows and rows of lamps and candles lighting up homes, a gift exchange, and worship services. Diwali also includes a type of art known as rangoli, a tradition that uses rice to make designs on the floor.
8. Jolabokaflod
Translated as "The Christmas Book Flood," this post-war Icelandic tradition is definitely a favorite of mine. On Christmas Eve, it's traditional to give books as a gift, and then to cozy up in your warmest pajamas with a cup of hot chocolate or an alcoholic beverage and read all night! What a beautiful Christmas Eve tradition.
9. Las Navidad
This Mexican holiday tradition is also celebrated in Spain and other areas of Latin America. It is typically celebrated on Christmas Eve, but, in some places, the festivities begin in mid-December and continue until Epiphany. The holiday is celebrated with a feast and a gift exchange, sometimes held at midnight. The gifts can be reserved for children or everyone can participate!
10. Hockey Christmas
In Ethiopia, the Coptic Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas (known as Ganna) on January 7. One of their traditions is to play field hockey on Christmas Day, as legend has it that the shepherds played this game together when they heard about the birth of Christ. This may not work so well in snowy climates, but what a fun bonding activity!
11. Irish Candles
Many Irish homes will place candles in their windows as a way to symbolize "lighting the way" for Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus, and to show that they will be a welcoming place for the weary traveler. The tradition has roots in a time when Irish priests were oppressed by the British government in the 1600s, and the candle story was a cover to mean that the home was a refuge for fleeing priests.
12. Christmas Wheat
St. Lucia Day is also celebrated in Croatia, with a special added tradition: the Christmas Wheat. Families will sow the Christmas wheat 12 days before St. Lucia Day, although these days many families will simply buy a bundle of wheat from the store. The wheat is often decorated with ribbon that features the colors of the Croatian flag (red, white, and blue) and placed under the tree for good luck.
Which tradition will be making an appearance into your holiday season?
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