Merry Christmas
Christmas is celebrated almost everywhere in the world. However, the traditions and customs surrounding this holiday differ from country to country. This article is intended to be an amusing read that may provide inspiration for your own Christmas celebrations.
Visiting church with roller skates in Venezuela
In the Venezuelan capital of Caracas, the journey to church at Christmas is an exciting one: people from all over the city skate through the streets to go to mass. Entire parts of the city are even closed to cars for the fun ride to avoid accidents.
Germany and the Christmas tree
Evergreen plants were already seen as a symbol of vitality in ancient Egypt. Back then, branches were brought inside dwellings to make their inhabitants healthy. The first description of a whole Christmas tree dates back to 1419, when the original Christmas tree stood in Germany and was richly decorated with apples, gingerbread and nuts. These were allowed to be taken from the tree and eaten on New Year's Day. From the 19th century onwards, it became fashionable for Protestant families to have their own Christmas tree in the living room. For Catholic families, the nativity scene was the most important Christmas symbol.
Ukrainian cobweb decorations
Believe it or not: in Ukraine, Christmas trees are decorated with artificial cobwebs. This custom goes back to the story of an old woman who could not afford Christmas tree decorations. When she woke up on Christmas morning, her entire tree was covered in cobwebs that glowed beautifully. Finding a real cobweb on your Christmas tree is also a sign of good luck in other countries (Poland, Germany).
Hiding brooms in Norway
Norwegians hide their mops and brooms over Christmas. This has nothing to do with Norwegians being lazy about cleaning; the tradition goes back to their superstition. Evil spirits that return to earth on Christmas night are not supposed to find brooms to fly across the night sky.
Lucky cucumber in the USA
In some countries, including the USA, a decoration in the form of a pickle is hidden on the Christmas tree. In many places, the lucky person who finds this pickle receives an additional gift at Christmas. What's more, the person who discovers it will be very lucky the following year.
Glowing front gardens in Colombia
In Colombia, the Christmas season starts on the "Day of the Little Candles". On this day, Colombians light candles and set up illuminated lanterns in honor of the Virgin Mary. Whether balconies, window sills or front gardens: entire villages glow in soft candlelight.
Regardless of whether you celebrate Christmas on roller skates or with a pickle on the tree - we wish you and your family a Merry Christmas!
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