Crazy Christmas: Unorthodox Celebrations and Unusual Tradition Around the World

Does your family have any unusual Christmas traditions? Most families might celebrate this holiday similarly, but almost everyone has some unique traditions.

What does your family eat on Christmas Day? Although lots of families enjoy a ham or turkey with similar sides and trimmings as they had on Thanksgiving Day, my family enjoys Lasagna, which my father prepares ahead of time. While this meal was chosen as a matter of convenience on Christmas Day, it’s something our entire family looks forward to every year. This makes things easier for my parents; the main dish is ready to go and simply has to go in the oven for a couple of hours before being served.

Our Christmas Lasagna might be strange to some, but it’s our own unusual Christmas tradition. Let’s look at a few others from around the world.

Radish Sculptures – Oaxaca, Mexico

The city of Oaxaca enjoys a tradition unlike many others around the world. Every December, residents of the city head to the main plaza to enjoy an impressive exhibit of sculptures made from carved radishes. You might have heard of this tradition but never witnessed it. These radish sculptures have become more ornate and intricate over the years, offering some amazing designs and displays in the town square.

The Pooper and the Pooping Log – Catalonia

Most people won’t think of toilet habits as something to celebrate during the holidays, but the people of Catalonia have two such traditions. These unusual Christmas traditions are odd but fun for those involved. The first involves a peasant figure squatting with his pants down which is placed in the nativity scene. The second is a pooping log, which is cared for during December and then beaten with sticks on Christmas Eve when it’s expected to poop out presents.

Mari Lwyd – Wales

Welch people have many ancient traditions steeped in superstition, which means several odd ways to celebrate different events during the year come from Wales. Mari Lwyd involved the skull of a horse attached to a pole with a sheet draped over it. The bearer of this item knocks on the doors of neighbors, scares them with the dead horse skull, and then sings to them. The residents are expected to sing back and then invite the bearers in for some food and drink.

The Christmas Pickle – Germany

Decorating the Christmas tree is a traditional event in many homes. Some will offer a color theme; others enjoy ornaments from years past that could have been handed down. In Germany, a pickle ornament has become one of the most unusual Christmas traditions. The pickle is hidden deep in the tree and the children all search for it on Christmas Eve. The child who finds the pickle is said to get a special reward from St. Nicholas.

The Christmas Spider – Ukraine

If you visit a Ukrainian family during Christmas, you might notice a spider web ornament on their tree. This tradition began with the tale of a poor woman who couldn’t afford to decorate her tree. She woke on Christmas morning to a tree covered in a sparkling spider web, which made it look incredible. Since that time, Ukrainian families have added a spider web ornament to their trees to honor this story. It’s become an interesting tradition with a unique story.

Kentucky Fried Christmas – Japan

Have you ever thought of having a bucket of KFC chicken as your Christmas dinner? Until the 1970s, it was difficult for Japanese families to find turkeys. KFC started a special campaign to offer various KFC dinners during Christmas. Although this seems like an unusual Christmas tradition, it has become so popular that families must order their holiday meal at least two months in advance to make sure they can have the deep friend Kentucky goodness they want to enjoy during this time of celebration.

The Yule Cat – Iceland

It’s tradition in Iceland to receive at least one new outfit on Christmas Eve. The tradition of the Yule Cat involves a monstrous and ferocious cat that wanders the streets on Christmas Eve, eating anyone who hasn’t gotten new clothes to wear. This very special legend is a great way to ensure everyone has a lovely new outfit to enjoy during the Christmas holiday.

Fermented bird Christmas dinner – Greenland

Residents of Greenland must prepare their Christmas dinner months in advance. As one of the most unusual Christmas traditions and one of the most unappetizing, small arctic birds are buried in the carcass of a seal for seven months. These birds are served on Christmas Day as dinner. While this must be appealing to the people in Greenland, most of us might not want to try such a dish.