Christmas is a holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, but it is also celebrated in many different ways by different cultures and traditions. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most interesting and unique ways that people celebrate Christmas around the world. Whether it is eating KFC in Japan, sharing a wafer in Poland, or dressing up like a witch in Italy, there is no shortage of festive and fun ways to mark the occasion.
Japan: KFC for Christmas Dinner
Japan is not a predominantly Christian country, but Christmas is still a popular and commercialized holiday. Many people decorate their homes with lights, trees, and Santa Claus figures, and exchange gifts with their loved ones. However, one of the most distinctive traditions is eating KFC for Christmas dinner. This started in the 1970s, when the fast-food chain launched a successful marketing campaign that promoted fried chicken as a festive meal. Since then, many Japanese families order KFC in advance or wait in long lines to get their buckets of chicken, along with cake and champagne, on Christmas Eve.
Poland: People Share a Pre-Dinner Wafer
In Poland, and many Polish communities worldwide, Christmas Eve dinner or (Wigilia) is a very important and solemn occasion. It begins with sharing the Oplatek, a paper-thin square wafer made of flour and water that has an image of the Nativity on it. Everyone at the table breaks off a piece and shares a holiday greeting or a blessing with each other, before passing it along. Sometimes, even pets get in on the act. The Oplatek symbolizes unity, forgiveness, and gratitude among family and friends.
Sweden: St. Lucia’s Day
In Sweden, Finland, and Norway, St. Lucia’s Day is a special part of the Christmas season that commemorates a woman said to be one of the first Christian martyrs. The celebration takes place on December 13, which was the winter solstice in the old Julian calendar. On this day, the eldest girl in each family dresses up like St. Lucia in a white gown and a wreath with candles on her head. She wakes up her family members and serves them S-shaped Lucia buns and coffee or mulled wine. The girl is accompanied by other children who wear white robes and carry candles or star wands. The candlelit procession represents the return of light and hope in the dark winter.
Italy: Befana, the Christmas Witch
Italy also has its own version of Santa Claus, but it is not a jolly old man in a red suit. It is Befana, a friendly old witch who delivers presents to good children on the night of January 5, the eve of Epiphany. According to legend, Befana was visited by the three wise men who asked her to join them in their search for baby Jesus. She declined, but later regretted it and set off to find him. She never succeeded, but she still flies around on her broomstick every year, leaving gifts and candy in the stockings of children who have been nice, and coal or garlic in the stockings of those who have been naughty.
These are just some of the many ways that people celebrate Christmas around the world. Each culture has its own festive and fun ways to make the holiday special.
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