Christmas Traditions

Main WP • December 17, 2021

Writing letters to Santa, hanging lights on your Christmas tree, gift-giving, and leaving cookies out on Christmas Eve are all traditions recognized and practiced in the United States. Many of us love our family time, exchanging gifts, and carols during this time of year. While we consider these to be common forms of celebrating the season, you may even have some unique traditions in your family.

Here is a list of interesting – and amazing! – Christmas traditions around the world. Do you celebrate any of these?

ITALY – Christmas Witches  

Look out Santa! In Italy, it isn’t ol’ St. Nick who delivers presents to children. Instead, the good witch Belfana shimmies down the chimney on the eve of January 5th to leave treats and gifts to children who have behaved well during the year. Children also leave a gift for Belfana – but no cookies! That’s right, Belfana has more refined tastes that are appeased with wine and other delicacies.

NORWAY – The Witches Continue  

If you live in Norway, be prepared to hide your brooms on Christmas Eve. The day before Christmas is where mischievous witches fly about playing pranks on unsuspecting folks. Since they prefer brooms to fly on, Norwegians hide theirs until Christmas day.

GERMANY or SPAIN – In a Pickle  

This next tradition is debated to come from either Germany or Spain. Either way, the tradition goes like this: on Christmas morning, children rush to the tree to find a hidden pickle there. Why? Whoever finds it gets an extra gift! This is great – and delicious – motivation to get up early on Christmas Day. (Not that most kids need it, of course.)

AUSTRIA – Wait … is it Halloween Again?  

You don’t want to make Santa angry. After all, you might get coal in your stocking! Unless you’re in Austria, that is. If you make the naughty list, you should expect a visit from the Krampus, a ghoulish creature who also happens to be an evil friend of the big red man. These scary creatures are played by Christmas enthusiasts during the holiday season, who wander the streets and sneak up on and scare adults and children alike with their spooky costumes/masks. We don’t know about you, but we prefer coal!

PHILIPPINES – Lighting the Way 

Competition is fierce in this Christmas tradition. While we are busy stringing lights along our house and trees, teams from different villages create massive light displays that measure up to 6 meters in diameter! These kaleidoscopic creations are gorgeously designed for the Giant Lantern Festival, which entices globetrotters for an amazing show of light and pattern.

These fun traditions, while different from those in the United States, are wonderful and colorful in their own rights. Do you go crazy for decorations or do you prefer a simpler way to celebrate the season?

Either way, don’t forget that when it’s time to store your holiday décor away until the next year to rent a unit from your local Towne Storage. Not only will they be stored safely in our climate-controlled units, but this will also save space in your home. Visit  www.townestorage.com  and find a facility near you today!

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