4 Peculiar Christmas Traditions From Around The World
December comes and it brings the festive time. It is the most awaited time of the year which brings Christmas. Christmas is about Santa, Christmas tree, Christmas carols, gifts, sledges, snowman, reindeers and a lot of things. All these are universal symbols of Christmas and thus it has been known by these things.
Although, local traditions and folklore are as much evident regionally as the universal Christmas rituals are around the world. These local traditions are distinct and unique and have their own significance. Here are some strange Christmas traditions that you would be amazed to read.
Krampus- Europe
Krampus is believed to be pre-Christian tradition, although in the last few centuries Krampus and St. Nicholas got associated. In the European countries like Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Czech Republic etc. Krampus is believed to be a companion of St. Nicholas. It is said that Krampus punishes the misbehaving children on Christmas as opposed to St. Nicholas who rewards well-behaved children.
Tio de Nadal- Catalonia
Tio de Nadal is a popular ritual in the Spanish region of Catalonia. Tio means a trunk or a log of wood and is fully translated into English as the Christmas Log. The wooden log is hollowed and a face is drawn on one end of the log, even legs are added to the log. From 08th December the tio is fed and on Christmas eve it is beaten till it poops out candies and nuts.
Caganer- Catalonia
Another Catalan culture is the Caganer. Caganer is a figurine which is depicted by a man sitting with his trousers down and defecating. The whole scene is depicted as the town of Bethlehem and Caganer sits in one corner. Caganer literally means ‘shitter’. The tradition of displaying Caganers dates back to the 18th century.
Christmas Pickle- America
Christmas pickle is a Christmas tradition that is popular in the U.S. An ornamental pickle is hidden in a Christmas tree and people search for it. Whosoever finds it is rewarded and sometimes also believed that will get a good fortune in the coming year. Americans believe, the tradition comes from Germany, but interestingly there is no such tradition in Germany. There are a couple of theories around the German connection, although not older than 150 years still none is a definite one.