Holiday Traditions Around the World

Sacred, Significant, and Sometimes Silly

December is like the exclamation point at the end of each calendar year, and not just for those of us waiting for a plump, red-suited visitor to slide down our chimneys. This month the world celebrates more holidays than any other time of the year. All around the world, people from all walks of life celebrate with unique and, in some cases, eyebrow-raising traditions. Perhaps that's why we call it the most wonderful time of the year. So buckle up, and let's dive into the warm, wonderful, and sometimes weird holiday traditions the world is celebrating this month.

GAVLE GOAT IN SWEDEN

In a small town called Gavle, Sweden, a forty-foot-tall goat is erected each year on the first day of Advent. The goat has a metal frame on top of which approximately a mile of rope is used to tie straw to create the shape of a goat's body. The goat got its start in 1966, and as much as the goat itself has become a tradition in the small town, so too has the destruction of the beast. You heard that right. To date, 38 out of the 56 goats have been destroyed in one way or another, most by arson. The funny thing is, authorities have used all kinds of means to protect the goat from fencing and fireproofing to military guards and CCTV, and nothing stops the motivated vandals from having a go at the old billy. Maybe they should embrace it as what it is, part of the tradition!

KRAMPUS IN AUSTRIA

As legend has it, St. Nicholas didn't travel alone. Around here, we know him to be accompanied by adorable elves, but in Austria and Germany, he's said to have a traveling companion that is more demonic than elvish. Krampus was the son of the Norse god of the underworld, who punished the bad kids while St. Nicholas was doting upon the well-behaved. Historically, Krampus was believed to appear at the beginning of Advent. Today he's remembered in horror movies and drink-fueled parades called Krampuslauf, where celebrants scare (and sometimes chase) onlookers. While it's not exactly the heartwarming holiday tradition we're accustomed to, it's popular nonetheless.

HANUKKAH IN JERUSALEM

Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, is the holiest place in the world for people of the Jewish faith. The significance of the site makes celebrating Hanukkah there extra magical. Hanukkah is a special Jewish holiday commemorating the Jewish people's reclaiming of the temple after the Syrians conquered it in 168 B.C.E. In the Jewish faith, Hanukkah was only a minor holiday. Still, today it's celebrated as one of the biggest rivaling Christmas in popularity. Celebrating Hanukkah in Jerusalem, the Jewish holy land, must be a marvel. From the delicious, traditional treats to the menorahs in the window of every home, this holiday certainly earns the title Festival of Lights.

KWANZAA IN AMERICA

It's a common misconception that Kwanzaa is a traditional African celebration. In truth, it is a celebration created by an American college professor in the 1960s. Maulana Karenga, the creator of Kwanzaa, based it on an African harvest festival. The purpose of the first celebration was to unite and empower the African American community in Los Angeles, California. The celebration of Kwanzaa begins on December 26 and extends through the new year. Each of the seven days of Kwanzaa represents a theme: Umoja (unity), kujichagulia (self-determination), ujima (collective work and responsibility), ujamaa (cooperative economics), nia (purpose), kuumba (creativity) and Imani (faith). Although invented in the United States, today, Kwanzaa is celebrated worldwide just as intended, as a celebration of Black culture centered around great food and fellowship.

Boxing Day in England

In 1871, during Queen Victoria's reign, December 26 was officially marked as Boxing Day in the British realm. The holiday, still celebrated to this day in England and the other British territories, was intended as a day for the wealthy to box up gifts and give them to the poor. Often household servants were given gifts by their employers or even given the day off to celebrate. Boxing Day is still a national holiday, but the focus has shifted to be more of a national shopping holiday than a giving one. It's like Black Friday but the day after Christmas. And while many people have resorted to extra shopping on this day off from work, many still commit to giving to the less fortunate on this day. Perhaps we could bring this celebration of good will to our holiday season this year.

Thirteen Yule Lads in Iceland

Icelandic Christmas culture rivals Austria's in its sheer creativity. Unlike our single Santa Claus, Icelandic children wait all year for the 13 days leading up to Christmas, during which a different Santa-like character (or Yule Lad) shows up each night and puts candy in the shoes of good children and rotten potatoes in the shoes of bad children. Like Snow White's dwarves, the thirteen yule lads have distinct names and personalities. Spoon Licker, Sausage Swiper, and Door Slammer are just three of the creative characters Icelandic children have to look forward to this month.

Simbang Gabi in Philippines

The final holiday is called Simbang Gabi, and it's celebrated from December 16 through Christmas Eve. Simbang Gabi is a Catholic holiday celebrated in the Philippines. However, it originated as a Spanish holiday called Misa de Gallo. Celebrants of the holiday attend an early morning mass each day for the nine days leading up to Christmas. Common folklore associated with Simbang Gabi is that when a person attends all nine services, God may honor a request made during the service.

It's easy for us to get caught up in the insular bubble that is our United States holiday traditions. These days big box stores begin decorating for Christmas before Halloween, and the month of December can feel like a free fall where we slip and slide from one seasonal activity to another. How fascinating is it to step back, get some context, and see that as our lives are taken over by red and green everything, people around the globe are lighting candles, scaring children, and in some places giving gifts to those less fortunate? The truth is, none of us is locked into our holiday traditions. So this year, why not do a little research of your own, find some traditions that resonate with your family, and live the month of December with more intentionality than ever before? And remember, if you choose to light a forty-foot-tall straw goat on fire, have your phone handy to call the fire department if necessary. On behalf of the team at Aging Times Magazine, I'm honored to wish you happy holidays and a blessed new year.

Adrienne Freeland is a freelance writer who specializes in helping business owners communicate more clearly. Using skills developed in her former career as a professional fundraiser, Adrienne collaborates with her clients to craft engaging, targeted content.