9 Foreign Christmas Traditions That Surprise American Tourists

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9 Foreign Traditions That Surprise American Tourists

When American tourists venture abroad, they often come across customs and traditions that might seem a bit unusual at first glance. From dining habits to festive celebrations, cultures around the globe have their unique ways of doing things that can be quite surprising to outsiders. Let’s explore some of these intriguing customs from various countries that tend to raise an eyebrow or two among visitors from the States.

1. Celebrating Christmas on January 7th in Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, Christmas isn’t celebrated on December 25th like in the United States but on January 7th. This difference in date is due to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church using the Julian calendar, which is about 7 to 8 years behind the Gregorian calendar used by most of the world. The holiday, known as Genna, features special ceremonies and unique games, one being a spirited hockey-like game, also called Genna, played by the villagers. The day is marked by attending church in the morning in white clothes, a tradition reflecting purity and renewal.

2. Throwing plates for good luck in Denmark

Have you ever thought about smashing plates against your friend’s door? In Denmark, this is a practice carried out on New Year’s Eve. Danes throw plates and glasses against the doors of their friends and family to banish bad spirits and bring good luck. The size of the pile of broken ceramics outside your door on New Year’s Day is believed to indicate how much luck and how many friends you’ll have in the coming year.

3. Wearing red underwear on New Year’s Eve in Italy

In Italy, the color red has a special significance on New Year’s Eve. Many Italians wear red underwear on this day to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits in the coming year. This tradition dates back centuries and is taken quite seriously despite its amusing nature. Shops across Italy are stocked with red undergarments as the year draws to a close, making it easy for everyone to participate.

4. Jumping over bonfires in Spain for purification

In Spain, the Festival of San Juan, which marks the summer solstice, includes a tradition where people jump over bonfires. The belief is that this act purifies and protects them. The fire is seen as having power to ward off evil spirits, ensuring a clean start to the season. It’s a night of festivities, where apart from the fire jumping, beaches fill with people enjoying music, food, and fireworks.

5. Eating 12 grapes at midnight in Spain for luck

Another unique Spanish tradition occurs on New Year’s Eve. Spaniards eat 12 grapes at midnight, one for each strike of the clock. This practice is supposed to bring luck for each month of the coming year. This tradition started in the early 20th century and has become a national event, with families preparing grapes before the clock strikes twelve and everyone tries to keep up as they eat with each chime.

6. Hiding brooms on Christmas Eve in Norway

In Norway, there’s a quaint and curious Christmas Eve tradition where people hide their brooms. This practice stems from the belief that witches and evil spirits come out on Christmas Eve looking for brooms to ride on. By hiding the brooms, Norwegians protect their homes from being visited by these spirits.

7. Drinking KFC as a Christmas meal in Japan

In Japan, eating KFC chicken has become a widespread Christmas tradition. This began from a successful marketing campaign in the 1970s when KFC positioned fried chicken as a festive meal. Since then, it’s been customary for many Japanese families to order buckets of KFC for their Christmas feast. It’s so popular that orders have to be placed weeks in advance to avoid long lines.

8. Participating in Krampus parades in Austria

In Austria, the Christmas season brings not just St. Nicholas but also Krampus, his eerie counterpart. According to folklore, Krampus punishes children who have been naughty. In early December, many towns hold Krampus parades, where people dress up as the beast and scare spectators. It’s a thrilling sight and quite the opposite of the jolly Christmas celebrations seen in the US.

9. Throwing water on people during Songkran in Thailand

Songkran, the Thai New Year, is famously celebrated with massive water fights. From April 13 to 15, people take to the streets with water guns, hoses, and buckets, splashing each other with water. Originally, the water was meant to symbolically wash away the bad luck and sins of the previous year, but today, it’s an all-out fun fest that attracts tourists from all over the world.