Christmas, a time of joy and coziness, lights up the world with millions of twinkling lights. Families gather to feast on festive treats and create heartfelt memories. But where did these holiday traditions come about? Let’s fnd out!
Christmas Celebrations Around the World
Diverse traditions paint a vibrant picture of Christmas globally.
1. St. Lucia Candle Crown Ceremony in Sweden
In Sweden, the St. Lucia candle crown ceremony occurs on December 13th.
A young girl, dressed in a white gown with a red sash and wearing a crown of candles, leads a procession, symbolizing the return of light during the darkest time of the year.
This tradition has roots in honoring St. Lucia, a Christian martyr who, according to legend, brought food to persecuted Christians in hiding.
The candles represent the light that St. Lucia brought to those in need.
2. Jultomte Tradition in Sweden
Jultomte is a mischievous Christmas gnome in Swedish folklore.
Families hide or move Jultomte fgurines, believed to protect the home and bring good fortune.
The playful aspect adds a touch of whimsy to the Christmas season, fostering a sense of joy and camaraderie.
3. Kentucky Fried Chicken for Christmas Dinner in Japan
In Japan, enjoying a Christmas dinner from Kentucky Fried Chicken is a popular tradition. Many Japanese families pre-order KFC meals weeks in advance.
This originated in the 1970s when KFC launched a successful marketing campaign associating their food with Christmas.
Today, it has become a cultural phenomenon, and enjoying KFC on Christmas has become a festive and convenient way of celebration.
4. Crowning the “Christmas Log” in Catalonia
In Catalonia, Spain, a unique Christmas tradition involves a “Tió de Nadal” or “Christmas
Log.”
Families “feed” the log treats leading up to Christmas, and on Christmas Eve, they gather to sing songs while hitting the log with sticks.
The log then “defecates” small gifts and candies.
This quirky tradition has pagan origins and is believed to bring good luck and a bountiful harvest.
It also adds an element of humor to the festive season.
5. Hiding a Pickle Ornament in the Christmas Tree in Germany
In Germany and some parts of the United States, hiding a pickle-shaped ornament in the Christmas tree is a tradition.
The frst person to fnd it receives a special blessing or an extra gift.
The origin is unclear, with theories ranging from a marketing ploy to a German tradition. Regardless, it adds an element of excitement and friendly competition to holiday festivities.
Now that we have an idea of some unique Christmas celebrations from around the world, let’s look at some peculiar Christmas traditions, exotic Christmas recipes, and Christmas decor ideas.
10 Hard-to-Miss Christmas Food and Drink Preparations
1. Roast turkey/goose/ham
2. Cranberry sauce
3. Hot apple cider
4. Sugar cookies
5. WUNDER Gummies
6. Fruitcake
7. Eggnog
8. Panettone
9. Stollen
10. WUNDER Sparkling Beverages
8 All-Time Favorite Christmas Carols (with Lyrics)
1. Deck the Halls Christmas Carol
Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la la la la!
‘Tis the season to be jolly, Fa la la la la la la la!
Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la la la la la la!
Troll the ancient Yuletide carol, Fa la la la la la la la!
See the blazing yule before us, Fa la la la la la la la!
Strike the harp and join the chorus, Fa la la la la la la la!
Follow me in merry measure, Fa la la la la la la la!
While I tell of Yuletide treasure, Fa la la la la la la la!
Fast away the old year passes, Fa la la la la la la la!
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses, Fa la la la la la la la!
Sing we joyous all together! Fa la la la la la la la!
Heedless of the wind and weather, Fa la la la la la la la!
2. Joy to the World Christmas Carol
Joy to the World, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room, And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing. Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While felds and foods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy. No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings fow Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
3. Jingle Bells Christmas Carol
Dashing through the snow In a one-horse open sleigh O’er the felds we go Laughing all the way
Bells on bobtails ring Making spirits bright
What fun it is to ride and sing A sleighing song tonight Jingle bells, jingle bells Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride
In a one-horse open sleigh, hey Jingle bells, jingle bells
Jingle all the way
Oh, what fun it is to ride In a one-horse open sleigh
4. Carol of the Bells Christmas Carol
Hark! how the bells, sweet silver bells All seem to say “Throw cares away.” Christmas is here, bringing good cheer To young and old, meek and the bold Ding, dong, ding, dong, that is their song With joyful ring, all caroling
One seems to hear, words of good cheer From ev’rywhere, flling the air
Oh, how they pound, raising the sound
O’er hill and dale, telling their tale
Joyf’ly they ring, while people sing
Songs of good cheer, Christmas is here
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
Merry, merry, merry, merry Christmas
On-on they send, on without end
Their joyful tone to ev’ry home
5. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Christmas Carol
You know Dasher, and Dancer, and
Prancer, and Vixen, Comet, and Cupid, and Donder and Blitzen But do you recall
The most famous reindeer of all Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose
and if you ever saw it
you would even say it glows. All of the other reindeer
used to laugh and call him names They never let poor Rudolph play in any reindeer games. Then one foggy Christmas eve Santa came to say:
“Rudolph with your nose so bright, won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?” Then all the reindeer loved him
as they shouted out with glee, Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, you’ll go down in history!
6. O Come All Ye Faithful
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant! O come ye, O come ye, to Bethlehem Come and behold Him
Born the King of Angels O come, let us adore Him O come, let us adore Him O come, let us adore Him Christ the Lord!
God of God, Light of Light
Lo, He abhors not the Virgin’s womb Very God
Begotten, not created
O come, let us adore Him O come, let us adore Him O come, let us adore Him Christ the Lord!
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation Sing, all ye citizens of heaven above! Glory to God
All glory in the highest
O come, let us adore Him O come, let us adore Him O come, let us adore Him Christ the Lord!
7. Silent Night Christmas Carol
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child Holy Infant so tender and mild Sleep in heavenly peace
Sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia
Christ the Savior is born
Christ the Savior is born
Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
8. We Wish You a Merry Christmas
We wish you a Merry Christmas, We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! Good tidings to you, wherever you are;
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year! Oh, bring us a fggy pudding;
Oh, bring us a fggy pudding;
Oh, bring us a fggy pudding, and a cup of good cheer. We won’t go until we get some;
We won’t go until we get some;
We won’t go until we get some, so bring some right here. We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
10 Tracks for Christmas
1. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/track/2EjXfH91m7f8HiJN1yQg97
Apple Music – https://music.apple.com/us/song/rockin-around-the-christmas-tree/14427320 95
2. “Jingle Bell Rock”
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/track/7vQbuQcyTffCIOu3Uzzya
Apple Music – https://music.apple.com/us/album/jingle-bell-rock/1358462130?i=1358462132
3. “All I Want for Christmas is You”
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/track/0bYg9bo50gSsH3LtXe2SQn
Apple Music – https://music.apple.com/us/album/all-i-want-for-christmas-is-you/585972750? i=585972803
4. “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/track/2uFaJJtFpPDc5Pa95XzTvg
Apple Music – https://music.apple.com/us/album/let-it-snow-let-it-snow-let-it-snow/1440830 105?i=1440830243
5. “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/track/5hslUAKq9I9CG2bAulFkHN
Apple Music – https://music.apple.com/us/album/its-the-most-wonderful-time-of-the-year/1 71434474?i=171434594
6. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/track/2FPfeYlrbSBR8PwCU0zaqq
Apple Music – https://music.apple.com/us/album/have-yourself-a-merry-little-christmas/144 0862061?i=1440862453
7. “Last Christmas”
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/track/5xDrO9DEDJGUQGfyoHvgDJ
Apple Music – https://music.apple.com/us/album/last-christmas/1440829786?i=1440829797
8. “Mistletoe and Wine”
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/track/3AgiRs3oxc2dFh0CPUHXJs
Apple Music – https://music.apple.com/us/album/mistletoe-and-wine/695950932?i=6959527 31
9. “Underneath the Tree”
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/track/3nAp4IvdMPPWEH9uuXFFV5
Apple Music – https://music.apple.com/us/album/underneath-the-tree/720861443?i=720861 445
10. “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/track/4LZO18yi1TOsa2gcs49LJS
Apple Music – https://music.apple.com/us/album/happy-christmas-war-is-over/1445667167? i=1445667795
10 Creative Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas
1. Baked goods
2. Candles
3. Potted plants
4. Knitted scarves
5. Photo books
6. Jewelry
7. Paintings/drawings
8. Gift baskets
9. Wine charms
10. Cookie mix in jars
10 Christmas Games for Family Fun
1. Naughty Santa
2. Christmas movie trivia
3. Wrap the gift relay race
4. Christmas karaoke
5. Left & right story game
6. Find the pickle ornament
7. Make a snowman relay
8. Christmas bingo
9. Act out the song
10. Create your carols
10 Unique Christmas Decor Ideas
1. Christmas gnomes
2. Lighted wireframes
3. Tree alternatives like stacked books or ladders
4. Themed trees like “Grinch green” or red-gold
5. Birch log centerpieces
6. Natural touches like pinecones and dried oranges
7. Suspended wooden stars
8. Window clings
9. Handmade wreaths
10. Outdoor light sculptures
10 Must-Watch Christmas Movies
1. Home Alone
2. Elf
3. The Polar Express
4. A Christmas Story
5. It’s a Wonderful Life
6. White Christmas
7. The Santa Clause
8. National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
9. How the Grinch Stole Christmas
10. Love Actually
10 Christmas Desserts to Bake
1. Peppermint bark
2. Gingerbread men
3. Sugar plum pudding
4. Eggnog cheesecake
5. Candy cane fudge
6. Peppermint creme brûlée
7. Hot chocolate cookies
8. Red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting
9. Cinnamon apple pie
10. Chocolate yule log
