Strange Christmas Traditions Around the World

Christmas is always time of joy, and celebration. It is time for company, family gatherings, and food. Although Christmas is known with vintage and warm traditions, however, there are several strange, and unfamiliar Christmas traditions around the world. 

Here is a list of some of the strangest Christmas traditions around the world. 

The "Caga Tió" (Pooping Log)

Catalonia, Spain

In Catalonia, Spain, the Caga Tió is a famous Christmas character in Catalan culture. It is a big piece of wood with two or four stick legs and a broad smiling face painted on its end with traditional Catalan barretina, which is a little red sock hat.

Children are taking care of it and on Christmas Eve, kids beat the log with sticks while singing a song, asking it to give them presents and sweets. 

Parents hide the presents and sweets inside the wooden puppet, so it gives them the sweets after the kids hit it.

Krampus Night

Austria

People in Austria believe in the evil equivalent of Santa Clause who is Krampus. Krampus punishes naughty kids.

So, in December, people dress up as scary, horned Krampus. They aim to play with kids by jingling the bells.

Spider Web Decorations

Ukraine

Ukrainians decorate their Christmas trees with artificial spider webs. This tradition represents a folktale about a poor widow whose Christmas tree was magically filled with spider webs that turned into gold. 

Hiding Brooms

Norway

Norwegians hide their brooms on Christmas Eve to prevent witches and evil spirits from stealing them for midnight joyrides.

Roller Skating to Church

Venezuela 

In Caracas, people attend early morning Christmas Mass by roller-skating through the streets. 

La Befana the Christmas Witch

Italy

Instead of Santa Claus, Italian children await La Befana, a kind witch who delivers gifts on January 6th (Epiphany Eve). She flies on her broomstick, leaving sweets for good kids and coal for naughty ones.

The Yule Lads and Their Pranks

Iceland

In Iceland, mischievous trolls called the Yule Lads visit homes in the final 13 days before Christmas. 

Kids leave shoes by the window, and each night, one Yule Lad leaves gifts or rotten potatoes, depending on the child's behavior.

Pickle Ornament

Germany 

A hidden pickle ornament is placed on the Christmas tree in Germany. The first child to find the pickle gets an extra gift or good luck for the year. Though its origins are debated, it remains a fun holiday scavenger hunt.

Throwing a Shoe for Love

Czech Republic

Single women in the Czech Republic throw a shoe over their shoulder on Christmas Eve. If the shoe lands with the toe pointing toward the door, it’s believed they will get married in the new year.

Throwing Pudding at the Ceiling

Slovakia

In Slovakia, the head of the household throws a spoonful of loksa (a pudding-like dish) at the ceiling. The more pudding that sticks, the better the fortune for the family in the new year.

Shoes Instead of Stockings

The Netherlands

Dutch children leave their shoes out instead of stockings for Sinterklaas to fill with gifts. Naughty kids are traditionally given a bundle of birch twigs called roe, though this part is rarely practiced anymore.

Santa’s Postal Service

Canada

Canadian postal workers take part in a strange tradition: responding to letters addressed to Santa Claus. 

Kids who send mail to “Santa Claus, North Pole, H0H 0H0, Canada” receive a personalized response.