76
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR CUSTOMS AROUND THE WORLD ✦ Andy Williams had it right when he proclaimed Christmas as the most wonderful time of the year and, as soon as his song hits the airwaves each year, we know that the festive season is well and truly underway.
I
t’s that magical time of year once again as we count down the days to Christmas and New Year!
This year may be slightly different in how or even where we celebrate but, ultimately, it is the season of good will when families can reconvene to share gifts, love and indulge in a feast of fine food and drink. But have you ever wondered how both occasions are celebrated around the world? Here we take a look at some of the lesser known traditions - some rather comical, some very whacky but all filled with joy and cheer! From a Giant Lantern Festival in the Philippines where dazzling parols (lanterns) consisting of thousands of spinning lights symbolising the Star of Bethlehem can be seen lighting up the night sky to roller skating to church in Venezuela, there are some curious traditions out there!
Turkey dinners are certainly not the norm the world over. In Finland porridge is traditionally eaten as a festive treat and in Ukraine a local dish is thrown at the ceiling in the hopes it sticks in order to guarantee a healthy crop harvest for the coming year! Although Christmas is not traditionally celebrated in Japan, Kentucky Fried Chicken has become synonymous with the occasion as huge crowds pre-order and queue for their finger lickin’ good treats! Iceland counts down 13 days of Christmas, brooms are hidden in Norway and families dance around the Christmas tree placed in the centre of the room while singing carols in Denmark. Austria seems to somewhat blur Christmas and Halloween as a beast-like demon creature known as Krampus comes out to play during the first week of December, roaming city streets frightening kids and punishing the bad ones.
