Weird Christmas Traditions: Japan's KFC Feast, Spain's Christmas Crapper, Norway's Hiding Of Brooms & More [VIDEO]
Christmas is one of the oldest celebrations the world has ever known. The very first one celebrated was on Dec. 25, 336AD during the reign of the Roman Emperor Constantine. Fast forward to today where the favorite holiday of the year is commemorated in more ways than one.
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Here in the USA, we celebrate Christmas with dinner parties, gift-giving, caroling, shopping and well, a LOT of eating, but have you ever wondered how the rest of the world observes the special holiday?
Check out some of the most peculiar ways other countries get in the holiday spirit.
KFC Feast (Japan)
Just when you thought turkey is the star of the show, try heading out to Japan and discover that the Colonel trumps the gobbling. After a wildly successful Christmas ad back in 1975, Japan has associated Christmas with KFC. Since then, KFC has been flooded with chicken orders during the holidays to the point that customers have to pre-order.
Caga Tió or "Christmas Crapper" (Catalonia, Spain)
Piñatas don't exactly resonate Christmas in America. However, the people of Catalonia considers theirs the main act, as they carve a face on a log and fill it with candies and nuts. Come Christmas, the children gather around, beat the log with sticks and partially set it on fire until such time they get their hands on the goodies inside.
Hiding of Brooms (Norway)
Witches are synonymous to Halloween on this side of the world. However in Norway, witches are feared most during Christmas, as legends say they come out and play during Christmas Eve. That's why the entirety of the country hides their brooms just before going to bed. Pretty creepy way to spend the Yuletide season.
Mummies Trick or Treating (Latvia)
Just like in Norway, the Latvians celebrate Christmas like Halloween. People dressed as mummies go from house to house getting treats and 'giving blessings' in return.
Deep Fried Caterpillars (South Africa)
As everyone else snacks on cookies, chocolates and candies, the children of South Africa enjoy munching on deep fried caterpillars during Christmas. We have to give it to them. Theirs is a more protein-packed bunch. We're all just eating sugar!
Gävle Yule Goat (Gävle, Sweden)
Goats are a big thing in Sweden during the Yuletide season. In fact, they love the animal so much that they position a giant goat made of straw and place it in the town center. However, the installation has been such an attraction to arsonists that the goat has only stood in one piece until the 25th of December 13 times in the last 40 years.
Shoe throwing (Czech Republic)
For the bachelors and bachelorettes, the Christmas season can be a hopeful season to finally find 'the one'. It couldn't be more highlighted in the Czech tradition of shoe throwing in which a woman faces away from the door and tosses a shoe over her shoulder. If the shoe lands with its toe facing the door, the woman is to be married next year.
The Running of the Santas/ Santacon (USA)
Just when you thought American Christmas couldn't be more traditional, find your way to San Francisco and be surrounded with people dressed as Santas and elves and in a drunken frenzy.
