{"id":4788,"date":"2025-12-22T05:25:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T05:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/velkeholky.org\/?p=4788"},"modified":"2025-12-22T10:21:03","modified_gmt":"2025-12-22T10:21:03","slug":"nejpodivnejsi-vanocni-zvyky-z-celeho-sveta","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/velkeholky.org\/en\/nejpodivnejsi-vanocni-zvyky-z-celeho-sveta\/","title":{"rendered":"The strangest Christmas customs from around the world"},"content":{"rendered":"

(or how Christmas is celebrated outside our bubble of snow, carp and salad)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you think nothing surprises you anymore at Christmas, just look around the world. In some places, instead of candy, you skate to church, in others, you might get eaten by a giant cat on Christmas Eve.<\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"christmas,<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Iceland: The cat that eats people without new clothes \ud83d\udc08<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In Iceland, it is not advisable to wear old clothes at Christmas. According to local legend, the J\u00f3lak\u00f6tturinn \u2013 a giant Christmas cat \u2013 roams the countryside and is said to eat anyone who has not been given something new to wear. Therefore, children are anxiously waiting for at least their socks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ukraine: Spiders for good luck \ud83d\udd77\ufe0f<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Instead of a star or an angel, Ukrainians put cobwebs and spiders on their trees \u2013 handmade or made of wire. According to an old legend, a tree covered in gold cobwebs brought good luck to a poor family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Venezuela: To church on skates \u26f8\ufe0f<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In Caracas, it is common to go to morning mass on roller skates. From December 16 to 24, roads are even closed so that believers can safely "skate" to the church.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Norway: Wicked Witches and Hidden Broomsticks \ud83e\uddd9\u200d\u2640\ufe0f <\/strong><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Norwegians hide all their brooms on Christmas Eve so that evil witches don't steal them and fly through the sky at night. An old Nordic custom that is mostly accepted with a smile today - but they prefer to put the brooms away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Russia: Santa Claus and Snow White \ud83c\udf81<\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In Russia, Santa Claus doesn't bring gifts to children, but Grandfather Frost (Grandfather Frost)<\/a> with his granddaughter Snow White. Unlike in the West, however, he does not visit at Christmas, but on New Year's Day \u2013 December 31. Children traditionally ask him in verse: \u201e"Santa Claus, bring a present?"\u201c<\/em> and he will answer only after a poem or a song.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Argentina: Summer, peacocks and gifts in shoes \ud83c\udf77<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In the southern hemisphere, it is summer at Christmas, so it is celebrated outdoors, often under palm trees. Santa does not bring gifts to children, but Magi the horse<\/em> \u2013 they leave water and grass at his door. And on the table? Even a roasted peacock!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Denmark: Happiness on the shards \ud83e\uddf1<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In Denmark, on New Year's Eve, they break porcelain in front of their friends' doors. The more shards, the more luck.<\/a> And the bigger the pile in front of your house \u2013 the more people like you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Luxurious<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Finland: Gifts from Grandpa Joulupukki \ud83e\uddd3 <\/strong><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Finnish Santa \u2013 Joulupukki \u2013 comes in person, not at night. He knocks on the door and asks: \u201e"Have you been good all year?"\u201c<\/em> Instead of devils, he has little elves with him who take naughty children to the ice kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lithuania: Burning away worries \ud83d\udd25 <\/strong><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In Lithuania, a log is dragged along at Christmas as a symbol of all the troubles of the year. People sing, wish for good luck, and finally burn the wood in a ceremonial manner - so that all the bad things burn with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hawaii: Santa arrives by boat \ud83d\udea2 <\/strong><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In Hawaii, instead of snow, the sea splashes and Santa Claus arrives on a boat. Christmas begins here with a festive "Christmas boat" that brings traditional food and gifts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spain: Christmas Lottery \ud83d\udcb0 <\/strong><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n
    \n
  1. December is a holiday in Spain. The Fat One<\/em> \u2013 the largest and oldest lottery in the world. It is broadcast live on television and literally the entire country participates. Happiness here is measured not only by love, but also by numbers.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Conclusion for Big Girls:<\/strong><\/h2><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Every nation has its own charm and quirks. Maybe this year you'll try ice skating instead of carp... or just buy new pajamas. Just in case an Icelandic cat happens to walk past your house. \ud83d\udc3e<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201eChristmas is the time when we are most acutely aware of what we lack and who is not among us.\u201c John Irving<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201eChristmas is a time when you miss home, even when you\u2019re home.\u201c Carole Nelson Douglas<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    A Little Light from a Big World: The Story of the Nativity Scene\u2728<\/a><\/blockquote>