The festive season is a magical time. All over the world, people have special ways to celebrate. Some traditions focus on religious meaning. Others are about spending time with family and enjoying tasty food. It’s a time for connection, warmth, and creating beautiful memories. From familiar carols to twinkling lights, these customs make the holidays special.
But beyond the common sights, there’s a whole world of fascinating and unique traditions. Let’s explore ten of them that truly brighten the festive season in different corners of the globe.
10 La Chocolatada: Peru’s Sweet Gesture
In Peru, Christmas time brings a heartwarming tradition called La Chocolatada. Companies and local governments come together for a wonderful cause. They give out panettone, a sweet bread, and mugs of hot chocolate to communities that have less. It’s a way to share joy and warmth.
They also gather toys and sweets to delight the children in these areas. This lovely event started back in the 1930s. At first, politicians used it to gain public favor. But now, La Chocolatada has grown into a cherished Christmas custom. It has even spread to other Spanish-speaking countries like Spain, Bolivia, Argentina, and Ecuador.
9 Starring: Alaska’s Guiding Light
When you think of Alaska, you might picture icy glaciers and wild animals. It’s a land of stunning nature and the Northern Lights. During Christmas, many Russian Orthodox families in Alaska keep a special tradition alive. It’s called Selaviq, or Starring.
This custom was brought to Alaska by Russian Orthodox priests. It began in the Carpathian Mountains way back in the 16th century. Those who follow the Starring tradition celebrate Christmas on January 7th, using the Julian calendar. A group of people carries a large wooden star from house to house over several days. They sing traditional folk songs and say prayers. As they travel, they hand out food, gifts, and candy. Someone in the group always keeps the star spinning. This lovely procession represents the journey of the wise men who followed the star of Bethlehem to find baby Jesus.
8 A Guyana Christmas: Caribbean Revelry
Celebrating the festive season in the Caribbean means experiencing some truly unique Christmas traditions. In Guyana, part of the English-speaking Caribbean, the holidays have a vibrant touch. Masqueraders in ghost-like costumes dance from door to door. Some popular characters include Mother Sally, a tall female figure on stilts with a long skirt, and the Cow, a costume built around the person wearing it.
Alongside these lively parades, people enjoy delicious traditional foods. Think of rich black cake, savory garlic pork, spicy pepperpot, and refreshing homemade ginger beer. It’s a feast for the senses!
7 Christmas Cakes: Japan’s Sweet Centerpiece
In Japan, Christmas is associated with dazzling LED light displays in shopping areas, cozy romantic dinners, and, surprisingly, fried chicken! But when it comes to dessert, a special cake takes center stage.
Instead of the dense fruitcake common in some countries, Japanese families traditionally enjoy kurisumasu keeki. This is a beautiful strawberry shortcake, often decorated with edible Christmas-themed ornaments. This tradition grew from an earlier one started by the Fujiya confectionery company, which encouraged people to “eat cake on Christmas.” For those who aren’t fans of strawberries, these festive cakes also come in chocolate, fruit, and even ice cream versions. Some are even shaped like popular characters!
6 A Hot Christmas: Australia’s Sunny Celebration
Many people link Christmas with cold, snowy weather, warm drinks like hot chocolate or eggnog, and heavy coats. However, if you’re in Australia for the holidays, you’ll find a very different scene. Christmas here often means relaxing on the beach and enjoying plenty of cold drinks to beat the heat.
After soaking up the sun, a popular Christmas meal is a cold seafood platter, usually piled high with prawns. Before the day ends, families might play a game of cricket or take a dip in the pool to cool off. And if the party mood continues on Boxing Day, you might find people joining Surfing Santa for a street party or a barbecue.
5 Presépio: Portugal’s Nativity Art
The first Christmas crib, or nativity scene, was made in Italy around the mid-13th century. Over time, this idea spread to other European countries. Today, you can still see these scenes in churches in England, fire stations in Portugal, and homes all over the continent.
In Portugal, building a Christmas crib, known as a presépio, under the Christmas tree is a beloved family tradition. These scenes include the usual nativity figures like the wise men, Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus. Many presépios also feature a donkey and a bull near Jesus’ crib, said to keep Him warm. Some families get very creative and add scenes of everyday life to their nativity setup. A magnificent example is the Presépio Gigante in Vila Real de Santo António. This giant nativity scene includes figures of beekeepers, a market, hunters, farmers, and much more.
4 Pohutukawa: New Zealand’s Crimson Christmas Tree
The Christmas tree is a familiar holiday symbol worldwide, whether it’s real or artificial. But in New Zealand, they have their own special version: the beautiful Pohutukawa tree. This tree is often shown on Christmas decorations and even mentioned in some Christmas carols. In Māori mythology, the tree’s vibrant crimson flowers are said to symbolize the blood of a warrior who died trying to avenge his father’s death.
When Christian settlers arrived in New Zealand, they saw the Pohutukawa tree blooming abundantly in December and January. They gave it the nickname “New Zealand Christmas tree.” This important festive symbol was also a favorite of Queen Elizabeth II. She reportedly requested a jar of its nectar every year after receiving one as a gift.
3 Orange Star: Greenland’s Winter Glow
On the first Sunday of Advent in Greenland, a warm orange star shines from the window of every home. This happens while the Northern Lights often dance in the dark sky above. As families light their star, they sing Greenlandic Christmas carols. They remember the first star brought to their country by Christian missionaries called Herrnhutters, who arrived in 1733.
Churches hold special Christmas services. Afterward, people often dig small caves into the snow covering graves in the churchyard. They place a lit candle in each cave, making the entire cemetery glow. Another custom is Lucia’s parade. Children dress in white robes, each holding a light. The person leading the parade is called Lucia and wears a wreath with four lights.
2 Zampognari: Italy’s Shepherd Pipers
The Bible tells the story of shepherds who were watching their flocks at night. An angel appeared to them with the good news of the Savior’s birth. This story inspires a unique Christmas tradition in Italy.
During the Christmas season, you can see shepherds in squares and piazzas across many Italian regions. These shepherds dress in traditional sheepskins and wool cloaks. They entertain people by playing festive tunes on unique bagpipes called zampogna. One of the most popular songs they play is the Christmas hymn “Tu Scendi dalle Stelle,” which means “You Come Down from the Stars.” This tradition of bagpipe-playing shepherds dates back to ancient Roman times. Shepherds would travel from their mountain homes to towns to perform, hoping to earn some extra money.
1 Karavaki: Greece’s Christmas Boats of Hope
While Christmas trees are common in Greece, so are Christmas boats! These decorated boats often sit right next to the traditional tree. On several Greek islands, boats are the preferred holiday decoration. No one knows exactly where this tradition started. Some believe that because the southern Aegean Sea islands didn’t have many trees, people turned to something they knew well: boats.
Sailors and sea captains are a big part of Greek history. Many men from the islands would be away at sea for months. Around Christmas, they often faced dangerous storms to bring home their catch. It’s thought that the boats carrying these men home became symbols of hope and bravery, celebrated during the Christmas season. These Greek Christmas boats are handmade. In the past, children used to carry small decorated boats from door to door while singing carols.
These traditions, each unique and heartfelt, show the many wonderful ways people celebrate the festive season. They remind us that no matter where we are, the holidays are a time for joy, togetherness, and sharing special moments.
What are some of your favorite festive traditions? Share them in the comments below!
