10 Traditions That Brighten the Festive Season

10 Traditions That Brighten the Festive Season

Different nations and civilizations mark the holiday season in unique ways. Some people place religious traditions at the heart of the celebrations. Others simply like spending time with family, sharing a wonderful dinner, and catching up with those who are far away. For many people all across the world, this is also a tradition in and of itself. Throughout the holidays, Christmas songs have long been a tradition in shopping malls. The romantic at heart strategically hangs mistletoe in these locations. Holiday cards are sent and received with thought. On Christmas morning, kids expect to find presents that have been wrapped and cookie crumbs. Some of the more unusual customs that are observed during the most delightful season of the year are included in this list.

By Paul Smith

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10 La Chocolatada

Each Christmas, businesses and local governments in Peru work together to distribute panettone (sweet bread) and numerous mugs of hot chocolate to underprivileged areas of the nation. Additionally, they gather candy and toys to distribute to the kids in these neighborhoods. The La Chocolatada celebration dates back to the 1930s, when politicians utilized it to gain the support of the populace. Since then, the custom has expanded to nations including Spain, Bolivia, Argentina, and Ecuador.

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9 Starring

When one thinks of Alaska, glaciers, moose, bears, and mountains come to mind. There are more volcanoes in this state than any other. The vast, untamed environment is open for exploration, viewing the Northern Lights, and in certain areas, two months of nonstop sunshine.

The many Russian Orthodox families who have settled in Alaska celebrate Christmas with a custom known as Selaviq or Starring. Russian Orthodox monks brought this custom to Alaska after it originated in the Carpathian Mountains around the 16th century. Those who follow the Starring custom celebrate Christmas on January 7th according to the Julian calendar. Over several days, a procession makes its way from house to house while pulling a big wooden star. People walking in the procession perform prayers and sing age-old folk tunes. Food, gifts, and treats are handed out along the road as the star is repeatedly spun. Starring serves as a metaphor for the journey taken by the wise men who arrived at the birthplace of Jesus Christ after following the Bethlehem star.

8 A Guyana Christmas

Participating in a number of distinctive Christmas traditions is made possible by spending the holiday season in the Caribbean. The Anglophone Caribbean nation of Guyana observes the holidays by hosting masqueraders who dance from door to door while dressed as ghosts. Among the most well-known costumes are those of Mother Sally, a woman on stilts dressed in a long skirt, and the Cow, which is designed to wrap around the wearer. Delectable foods like black cake, garlic pork, pepperpot, and handmade ginger beer are savored alongside these celebrations.

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7 Christmas Cakes

Christmas in Japan is synonymous with extravagant LED light shows in malls, candlelit dinners, and fried chicken. Instead of indulging in fruitcake, people typically enjoy kurisumasu keeki while spending time with their loved ones. A strawberry shortcake cake with edible Christmas decorations is known as kurisumasu keeki. The Fujiya candy company encouraged people to "eat cake on Christmas," and this custom was developed from that. For individuals who do not like strawberry flavors, these cakes also come in chocolate, fruit, and ice cream varieties. They can also be made to resemble well-known figures.

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6 A Hot Christmas

Eggnog or hot chocolate, thick coats, and cold, snowy weather are typically associated with Christmas. However, if you happen to be in Australia over the holiday season, none of that will apply to you. Instead, you'll probably relax on the beach and have a lot of cool beverages to celebrate. Once you've finished baking in the sun, you can savor a classic seafood plate filled to the brim with prawns. You can enjoy a bit of cricket or jump into the pool to cool yourself before turning in for the evening. On Boxing Day, you can join Surfing Santa for a street party or BBQ if you're still up for it.

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5 Presépio

Italy produced the first Christmas crib in the middle of the 13th century. The idea spread as the ages went by to other European nations. Today, you may still find them in Portuguese fire stations, English churches, and residences all throughout the continent. Building a Christmas crib, or presépio, underneath the Christmas tree, is still a beloved custom in Portuguese family homes. The typical nativity figures, such as those of the wise men, Joseph, Mary, and the infant Jesus, are all present. A donkey and a bull image frequently encircle Jesus' cot in the presépios to keep Him warm. Some households decorate their nativity scene with scenes from daily life. In Vila Real de Santo António, the Presépio Gigante is a magnificent illustration of this. Beekeepers, a market, hunters, farmers, and many more characters can be seen in this nativity scene.

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4 Pohutukawa

A holiday mainstay is the Christmas tree. They typically adopt the same shape and are instantly identifiable anywhere, whether they are real or plastic. With the stunning Pohutukawa tree, the idea of the Christmas tree is elevated in New Zealand. The tree appears on holiday decorations and is mentioned in a number of holiday songs. According to Mori mythology, the tree's vivid crimson blossoms symbolize the blood of a warrior who died while trying to avenge the death of his father. After seeing its profusion of blossoms in December and January, Christian immigrants in New Zealand gave the Pohutukawa tree the nickname "New Zealand Christmas tree." This significant New Zealand seasonal icon was also a favorite of Queen Elizabeth II, who after first receiving one as a gift, yearly requested a jar of its nectar.

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3 Orange Star

Every residence in Greenland glows an orange star from its window on the first Sunday of Advent, while the Northern Lights twirl above. Families sing Greenlandic Christmas carols as they light their star and remember the first star that the Christian fraternity Herrnhutters brought to the nation in 1733. Christmas services are held in churches, and thereafter, graves in the churchyard are covered in snow, and little caves are dug there. Each of these caverns has a lit candle inside it, illuminating the entire cemetery. In Greenland, Lucia's march is also customary. White robes cover the children, who each hold a light in their hands. Lucia is the person leading the procession, and she is decked out in a wreath with four lights.

2 Zampognari

Shepherds who were keeping watch over their flocks at night are described in the Bible as being startled when an angel of the Lord appeared to them. They received the happy news of the Savior's birth from the angel. In several locations of Italy, shepherds can be seen in the squares and piazzas during Christmastime. These shepherds are covered in wool cloaks and sheepskins. They provide crowd entertainment by playing festive music on unusual bagpipes. The Christmas carol "Tu Scendi delle Stelle" ("You Come Down from the Stars") is one of the most frequently requested tunes. The custom of the bagpipe-playing shepherds, also known as the zampogna, dates back to the period of the ancient Romans, when shepherds would go from their homes in the mountains to the town to entertain guests in an effort to make some extra money.

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1 Karavaki

Christmas boats, which typically occupy a space immediately next to the conventional tree, are as prevalent in Greece as Christmas trees. Many Greek islands favor the boats that have Christmas decorations on them. The origin of the custom is unknown, although some people think that since there weren't many trees on the southern islands of the Aegean Sea, the locals turned to something they were familiar with: boats. Since almost all of the males on the islands were gone at sea for months at a time, sailors and captains have played a significant role in Greek history. They would endure violent storms during Christmas to bring in substantial fish catches. The men's boats are thought to have eventually evolved into a representation of courage and optimism that was honoured at Christmas. Greek youngsters used to sing carols while carrying handcrafted Christmas boats from house to house.

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