From gathering around the table for a fried chicken feast in Japan to decorating Ukrainian Christmas trees with spider webs, a unique array of traditions spread festive cheer across different cultures. Here is a snapshot of some of the most delightful customs that make the holiday season merry and bright around the world.
CHRISTMAS BOOK FLOOD
Each year, Icelandic book lovers celebrate the magic of reading during Jolabokaflod, the island nation’s Christmas Book Flood, in which new books are released and residents give books to family and friends. According to jolabokaflod.org, the literary tradition started during World War II after Iceland gained its independence in 1944. Since paper was one of the few commodities not rationed during the war, Icelanders shared their love of books even more as other types of gifts were in short supply. Each Christmas Eve, bibliophiles unwrap their gifts with loved ones and read long into the wintry night.
SPIDER WEB ORNAMENTS
According to legend, when a poor Ukrainian widow and her children could not afford to decorate their Christmas tree, the spiders in their home took pity on them and spun beautiful webs around their trees. In the morning, the rising sun turned the webs to silver and gold. Today, Ukrainians honor this tale by hanging sparkling spider web ornaments on their trees in the hopes of bringing good luck for the coming year.
LAS POSADAS
In Mexico, Christmas is ushered in with Las Posadas, a nine-day celebration from December 16-24. Groups of people reenact Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem, traveling from house to house singing traditional songs while residents welcome them with treats like tamales and punch. The final night culminates with joyful festivities featuring pinatas and a community feast.
THE GOOD WITCH
Christmas festivities in Italy extend beyond December 25 to January 6 — the Feast of the Epiphany. On this day, children eagerly await Befana, a kindly witch who flies on a broomstick to deliver gifts. Legend says La Befana was invited by the Wise Men to visit baby Jesus but was delayed. Ever since, she has continued her journey, leaving sweets for good children and lumps of coal for those who misbehave.
FRIED CHICKEN FEAST
In Japan, December 24 is KFC Japan’s busiest day of the year. The fast food chain’s holiday campaign, Kentucky for Christmas, launched in the 1970s and has become a beloved countrywide tradition ever since. According to KFC, the original idea for the campaign was inspired by a foreign customer who visited KFC in Tokyo on Christmas Day and said, “I can’t get turkey in Japan, so I have no choice but to celebrate Christmas with Kentucky Fried Chicken.” A team member on the KFC Japan sales team overheard the remark and launched the first Christmas campaign and its tagline, Kentucky for Christmas.
CHRISTMAS ON THE BEACH
Christmas in Australia takes a sun-drenched twist, with locals embracing the sunny holiday season by enjoying seafood barbecues, donning Santa hats, building sand castles instead of snowmen, and playing beach games like cricket or volleyball.
CHRISTMAS STROLL
On December 6-8, the streets of the Georgetown Square will transform into a winter wonderland during the 43rd annual Christmas Stroll. Visitors can enjoy live music and dance performances, photos with Santa, arts and crafts, a classic car show, and a superhero-themed Christmas parade. Learn more at dgagtx.org/Christmas-Stroll—Guests.html