Unique Christmas Traditions Around the World

We look through the world’s most strange and wonderful festive rituals...

1. Czech Republic: Couple of Matchmakers

Unmarried Czech women stand with their backs to the door on Christmas Eve and throw one of their shoes over their shoulder. If it lands with the door facing the toe of the shoe, it suggests that within the year, they will be married. They’re in for another year of watching Bridget Jones movies if it lands with the heel facing the door. However maybe, it’s better than marrying a heel.

1. Italy: Where the Little Helper of Santa is an Ancient Witch

Unable to prove Santa’s presence conclusively, the Vatican agreed to throw its weight behind something with which they had countless dealings: an old witch named La Befana who brings gifts to Italys’ children. The story says that the witch was invited by the three wise men to accompany them to see the baby Jesus. She said she was too busy and there, a legend was born.

1. Portugal: Feeding the Dead

Families often set up extra places for deceased relatives at the dining table during the consoda, the annual Christmas feast in Portugal. It is assumed that the practice would guarantee the household good fortunes. In certain places, crumbs are also left on the burner.

1. Ukraine: Deck the halls with…. the webs of spiders?

Ukrainians also like to throw an artificial spider and web on the tree, in addition to the usual tinsel, fairy lights and baubles. Tradition has its roots in an old story of a poor woman who couldn’t afford to decorate her tree and woke up to a house covered in a glorious, sparkling web on Christmas morning that a spider had decorated. It’s for good fortune. It is not a matter of bad housekeeping.

1. Greenland: A Christmas Dinner that you will never forget about

The next time you find yourself moaning about the festive brussel sprouts from your Granny, spare a thought for Greenland’s unfortunate tykes. They have to tuck in mattak- raw whale skin with a little blubber, and kiviak every Christmas, which is made by wrapping an auk (a tiny Arctic bird) in seal skin, and eating its decomposed flesh that has been buried for several months.