Joy to the World: Christmas Traditions around the Globe

Season of Splendor: Western Europe   

Christmas in Western Europe tends to be an opulent and hedonistic affair, and more attention is paid to Christmas here than anywhere else in the world. Christmas Day, aside from being a time for family and a trip to church, is focused around a lavish dinner in the late afternoon and the giving of gifts (usually) in the morning, for the most part for children. In the UK, a particularly romantic tradition is the hanging of mistletoe, by which a man may kiss any woman who is underneath it 카지노 게임 컬렉션� so if you카지노 게임 컬렉션�re at a Christmas party, watch where you stand!

Another tradition with Germanic roots is Krampus, who is a surprisingly beloved creature best-known across Bavarian Germany and Austria. This Germanic legend is a hideous, horned half-goat, half-demon beast. With a handful of twigs and fetid fangs, it is said to follow Santa, grabbing naughty children and dragging them into the underworld. If that isn카지노 게임 컬렉션�t an incentive to behave, what is? Across areas of Germany, Switzerland and Austria, you can watch terrifying Krampus parades, and this is also increasingly popular in America. Merry Krampus!

Another surprising tradition that expats in Sweden are sure to hear about is the Gävlebocken, a 42.5 foot (13 meter) straw goat. Yule goats are a traditional part of Christmas in Sweden, and the Gävlebocken is placed in the town of Gävle every Christmas season, where the goat is regularly targeted by arsonists. It is guarded and watched with surveillance cameras, as people attempt to set it ablaze.  

Fishy Festivities in Eastern Europe 

Christmas in Eastern Europe tends to be slightly more simplistic and without the opulent, over-the-top approach of western neighboring countries. It is usually celebrated on 25 December, although Orthodox countries such as Russia, Serbia and the Ukraine celebrate Christmas on 7 January. Many Orthodox Christians will fast the day on 6 January, before enjoying the feast the following day. Traditionally, the Christmas dinner in this part of Europe will not be eaten until the first star can be seen in the sky. When dinner finally does arrive, carp is a traditional Christmas dish, particularly in the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia. For some, festivities in Eastern Europe begin in the bathtub, where the fish is being kept until Christmas Day, so it can be served fresh. That said, carp is more a tradition than a well-loved food, and although it can be delicious with a good sauce, it is said to taste like mud, so this may not be a tradition you want to embrace. The fish카지노 게임 컬렉션�s scales are alleged to be lucky, and in Poland it is the custom to keep the scales for good fortune, with some women even carrying the scales in their bras!

Merrymaking in Africa 

Alongside Islam, Christianity is one of the two most practiced religions in Africa. The continent is home to a diverse range of Christmas traditions, in particular several bizarre Santa-related customs 카지노 게임 컬렉션� in Kenya, Santa will visit children by camel, Land Rover or bike, while in Zimbabwe, Santa sometimes visits shops in a fire engine. The main meal served at Christmas dinner in African countries varies, particularly goat in East Africa, whilst in South Africa, barbecued meat is popular. Going to church tends to be the focal point of Christmas for many people, and even in more Islamic countries, such as Senegal, Christmas Day is a national holiday. In the majority of countries, expats can expect to enjoy vibrant carol services, dancing, parades, and decorated mango trees.

Bucket 카지노 게임 컬렉션�O Chicken in Japan  

Fewer than 1% of the Japanese population is Christian and there is no national Christmas holiday. However, there is one 카지노 게임 컬렉션�tradition카지노 게임 컬렉션� proving incredibly popular 카지노 게임 컬렉션� KFC. Every year, hour-long queues form around the corners as families wait in anticipation to pick up their bucket of 카지노 게임 컬렉션�Christmas Chicken카지노 게임 컬렉션�, which even comes with KFC chocolate cake and champagne. This tradition has been alive since KFC카지노 게임 컬렉션�s extremely successful marketing campaign in 1974, 카지노 게임 컬렉션�Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!카지노 게임 컬렉션� meaning 카지노 게임 컬렉션�Kentucky for Christmas!카지노 게임 컬렉션� Some families order their bucket of chicken months in advance, so start planning!

Christmas in the Sand: Australia and New Zealand 

Australia and New Zealand both enjoy a pretty toasty summer Christmas. Despite this, both countries celebrate with traditional Western European Christmas dinners and traditions, although it is also common to spend time on the beach and attend seafood barbecues. Don카지노 게임 컬렉션�t be disappointed if you don카지노 게임 컬렉션�t catch sight of Rudolph 카지노 게임 컬렉션� in Australia Santa카지노 게임 컬렉션�s sleigh is rather driven by six white 카지노 게임 컬렉션�boomers카지노 게임 컬렉션�, or in other words, kangaroos. Unfortunately, the country experiences large bushfires around Christmas, so this time of year can also be a stressful one.

Glitz and Glamour in the USA 

Christmas in the USA has many similar traditions to those in Western Europe.  온라인 카지노 게임s in or near New York City should visit the Rockerfeller Center, home to incredibly famous Christmas street lights which rivals Oxford Street카지노 게임 컬렉션�s light display in London. also boasts an impressive Christmas tree with an ice rink, which is open to the public over Christmas and the New Year. Lights and decorations are taken seriously throughout America, with many neighborhoods holding competitions for the best household lights.  Christmas is one of the most important family holidays, beaten only by Thanksgiving, which takes precedence for some American families.

Festive Fiesta in South America 

South America카지노 게임 컬렉션�s Christmas traditions vary from  Western European customs such as hanging stockings, and also follows the Spanish tradition of late-night parties, which won카지노 게임 컬렉션�t begin until around 02:00 or 03:00 after Christmas Day. Decorations are also taken seriously, with plastic Christmas trees and artificial snow.

South America is for the most part Catholic, so singing carols, attending mass, reenacting the birth of Jesus, and observing Advent are common traditions. In São Paulo카지노 게임 컬렉션�s Ibirapuera and Lagoa in Rio, it is a tradition to drive past the decorated Christmas trees in town, and this causes major traffic jams which can last all night. That카지노 게임 컬렉션�s why it is probably best to avoid this area unless you카지노 게임 컬렉션�re planning on celebrating Christmas from your car. The climate in South America tends to be very hot at Christmas, thus 25 December and 1 January are often celebrated by swimming pools, rivers or beaches.

Whichever country you live in, embrace your new traditions and have a happy holiday!