Christmas: a traditional festival around the world

The family reunion, the gargantuan Christmas dinner where oysters, foie gras, salmon, log and other rejoicings mingle, the long-awaited moment when you open the gifts deposited at the foot of the fir tree ... In France, the feast of Christmas follow a very specific ritual. But this one is completely different in other countries. As Christmas approaches, Lastminute.com unveils the most unusual Christmas traditions around the world. Go hop, we board!

The most unusual Christmas

1. Dung in Spain

In Spain, and in Catalonia more specifically, children are enthusiastic about "Caga Tiò", literally "uncle who makes poo". In fact, the "Caga Tiò" is a Christmas dessert! It is a small log of wood on which is drawn a big smile and which "expels" gifts! From the beginning of December, the log is placed by the fire and covered with a blanket. Every night, the children give her chocolates and nuts in the hope of making her grow bigger and bigger. Until Christmas day when she releases her gifts. It is traditionally nougat, sweets, small toys and money ...

2. Nudes in family in Estonia

In Estonia, after the traditional Christmas meal, families usually share a very convivial moment. They find themselves all naked together in a sauna. Modest abstain!

3. The naughty children banned from the Netherlands

On 5 December of each year, in the Netherlands, Sinterklaas brings gifts to the children. For this distribution, he is accompanied by his servants called Zwarte Pieten. The latter have with them a list containing the names of the wicked children who, instead of gifts, receive pieces of coal. Zwarte Pieten puts them in sacks and takes them with them to their country of origin ... Spain! A punishment in memory of the time when the Netherlands underwent the control of the Holy Roman Empire (between 1518 and 1714).

4. A monstrous cat in Iceland

In Iceland, the pagan holiday of Yule corresponds to Christmas. At nightfall, the cat of Yule (also called Jólakötturinn) rdde in all the country, hungry. It is a disturbing animal that frightens and chases the men! But not just any! The only ones who have to fear Yule's cat are those who have not managed to get themselves offered or to make a new garment that they could wear for the party. This cat has ruled a somewhat strange justice since the Middle Ages. In fact, it is so frightening that in the 800s it was used to scare workers and force them to finish their wool harvest more quickly.

5. A Santa Claus Championship in Switzerland

In Switzerland, the city of Samnaun welcomes every year the world championship of Santa Claus! Teams from all over the world and dressed as Santa Claus meet to compete in sports events: ski races, racquet races, sleds, gingerbread decorations ... Original trials that make it possible to distinguish the great victors.

6. A radish festival in Mexico

In Mexico, in the Oaxaca region, an art festival, the "Noche de Rabanos", takes place every year on December 23rd. Literally "Night of radishes". During this festival, Mexicans exhibit works of art made with very large vegetables cut into pieces and juxtaposed to create sculptures. Each year, about one hundred competitors compete. It is an ancient tradition that dates back to the 16th century and is linked to the colonial history of the country.

7. Spiders in Ukraine

The spider webs the deco star of Halloween? Not at all! For Ukrainians, spiders and their canvases are good omens. So, instead of dressing up their Christmas tree with garlands, balls and stars, they prefer cobwebs ... Promise of prosperity and luck for the year to come. A tradition that echoes a very ancient Ukrainian legend of Christmas. As a very poor widow had no money to decorate the fir tree, during the night spiders used the tears of her children to create beautiful canvases designed to adorn the tree. The next day, the fate of the family fell and she lived in prosperity.

8. Witches in Norway

Norwegians believe that evil spirits cause humans over Christmas night. According to popular belief, it is during this night that the witches come out and steal the brooms which will serve them to fly in the night ... So, it is customary that the Norwegians hide all their brooms and mops to avoid that a witch steals them from them. If this task is reserved for women, men are not left behind: their mission is to frighten evil witches.

9. Halloween at Christmas in Latvia

In Latvia, much like in Ukraine, Christmas is more like Halloween. The Latvians dress up as mummies and knock at the doors of houses to obtain and give gifts in exchange for blessings.

10. Love is behind the door in the Czech Republic

What if we found our soul mate at Christmas? In the Czech Republic, it is believed strong and one puts all the chances on its side thanks to a strange tradition. The custom is for a single woman to stand facing a door and throw a shoe over her shoulder. If the shoe drops the tip towards the door, the woman will be married the following year.