Christmas Trivia

In Japan, a unique tradition has developed where people enjoy a festive bucket of KFC on Christmas Eve. This custom started in the 1970s due to a successful marketing campaign by KFC, and it has since become a popular and quirky Christmas tradition in Japan.

In Romania, many people celebrate Christmas by roller-skating to church. This tradition is particularly popular in the city of Bucharest, where the streets are closed off to cars, allowing people of all ages to skate freely to their place of worship.

In Norway, it is a tradition to hide brooms on Christmas Eve. This stems from an old belief that witches and evil spirits would come out on this night to steal brooms and wreak havoc. Norwegians still practice this quirky tradition to ward off any mischievous spirits.

In the Czech Republic, the Christmas tradition involves a witch-like figure called 'Ježibaba' who brings gifts to children. Ježibaba is believed to have roots in Slavic mythology and is depicted as an old woman with a broomstick. She visits children on Christmas Eve and brings them presents if they have behaved well.

In Russia, Christmas is celebrated on January 7th. This is because the Russian Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar, which places Christmas 13 days after the Gregorian calendar used in Western countries. On this day, Russians attend church services, exchange gifts, and enjoy festive meals with their loved ones.

In Poland, it is customary to thoroughly clean the house before Christmas Eve. This is done to ensure that the house is ready to welcome Baby Jesus, who is believed to bring gifts on this night. People in Poland spend days cleaning, decluttering, and decorating their homes for the festive season.

In Japan, some people have adopted the tradition of eating KFC for Christmas dinner. This unique tradition started in the 1970s, when KFC launched a successful advertising campaign promoting 'Kentucky for Christmas.' Today, it is not uncommon for Japanese families to pre-order their KFC meals weeks in advance to avoid long lines on Christmas day.

In Ireland, it is a tradition to light a giant bonfire on Christmas Eve. This practice is believed to have originated from an early Christian tradition of lighting fires to commemorate the birth of Jesus. The bonfires serve as a symbol of light and warmth during the dark winter nights.

In Kenya, some communities have a unique tradition of eating fried caterpillars during Christmas. These caterpillars, known as 'kumbi kumbi,' are considered a delicacy and are typically fried or roasted before being served. The tradition is rooted in local culture and is seen as a way to celebrate abundance and unity during the festive season.

In Greece, it is a tradition known as 'siga-siga' to break plates on friends' doorsteps on New Year's Day. This practice is believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits for the coming year. The tradition has evolved over time and is now more commonly observed in certain areas like Athens.