Christmas traditions - Choose country

Nochebuena and Lots of Lights

• Brasil

• Philippines

• Mexico

• Spain

Answer explanation

Filipinos take the Christmas season seriously, with big Nochebuena parties on Christmas Eve. Many will attend Mass, called Misa de Riso in the evening, and then feast and dance into the wee hours. Decorations often go big too, with the parol, a lighted star lantern, featuring prominently.

St. Nicholas’ evil accomplice, Krampus

• Germany

• Norway

• Austria

• Ireland

Answer explanation

 

In Austrian tradition, St. Nicholas rewards nice little boys and girls, while Krampus is said to capture the naughtiest children and whisk them away in his sack. In the first week of December, young men dress up as the Krampus (especially on the eve of St. Nicholas Day) frightening children with clattering chains and bells.

KFC for Christmas dinner

• Japan

• USA

• Canada

• Vietnam

Answer explanation

Christmas remains largely a novelty in the country. However, a new, quirky “tradition” has emerged in recent years – a Christmas Day feast of the Colonel’s very own Kentucky Fried Chicken.

13 tricksy troll-like characters

• Sweden

• Iceland

• Poland

• Greece

Answer explanation

In the 13 days leading up to Christmas, 13 tricksy troll-like characters come out to play in Iceland. The Yule Lads (jólasveinarnir or jólasveinar in Icelandic) visit the children across the country over the 13 nights leading up to Christmas. For each night of Yuletide, children place their best shoes by the window and a different Yule Lad visits leaving gifts for nice girls and boys and rotting potatoes for the naughty ones.

Hide your brooms

• Mexico

• Japan

• Greece

• Norway

Answer explanation

Perhaps one of the most unorthodox Christmas Eve traditions can be found in Norway, where people hide their brooms. It’s a tradition that dates back centuries to when people believed that witches and evil spirits came out on Christmas Eve looking for brooms to ride on. To this day, many people still hide their brooms in the safest place in the house to stop them from being stolen.

St. Lucia's Day

• Sweeden

• Latvia

• Romania

• Germany

Answer explanation

In Sweden, Finland, and Norway, St. Lucia's Day is a special part of the Christmas season that commemorates a woman said to be one of the first Christian martyrs. Celebrations involve candlelit processions, with the eldest girl in each family dressed up like St. Lucia in white gowns, often wearing a wreath with candles. The girls will also serve the family S-shaped Lucia buns and coffee or mulled wine.

Christmas Trees and Boats

• England

• Greece

• Spain

• Norway

Answer explanation

In the seafaring country of Greece, decorating Christmas trees and boats has been popular for centuries. The first known Christmas tree in Greece was put up by King Otto 1833 next to a large decorated boat, which families traditionally erected to celebrate men's return from sea voyages. Today, in cities like Athens and Thessaloniki, large lit-up boats appear alongside trees.

Christmas Markets

• Germany

• Mexico

• Colombia

• Philippines

Answer explanation

In Germany, you can do your Christmas shopping with a mug of mulled wine in one hand and a bratwurst in the other at festive outdoor markets. The sprawling seasonal markets pop up all over the country with artisans selling gifts for everyone on your list.

Christmas on the Beach

• Bahamas

• Australia

• Nigeria

• Mexico

Answer explanation

Because Christmas falls during the sweltering summer months in Australia, many residents hit the beach for a barbecue. People might play a rousing game of backyard cricket, according to one Insider writer, and grill up fresh seafood on the barbie.

All-Night Parties with Piñatas

• Philippines

• Romania

• Brasil

• Mexico

Answer explanation

In Mexico, as well as many other Latinx and Hispanic countries, families celebrate Nochebuena on Christmas Eve. That includes a huge feast, singing and dancing — and often a piñata for the kids. More religious observers may attend midnight Mass, but it's always a time for family and togetherness.