CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS
Around the World
C ome Christmas in America, the traditions are aplenty, from hanging stockings on the mantel to going door to door singing carols. But how do they commemorate Christmas in other countries? You might be surprised. Here are some interesting examples.
From roller-skating to church to carving elaborate sculptures out of radishes, here are 10 unique ways people celebrate Christmas in other countries.
BY JILL BECKER
AUSTRIA
Here, the days leading up to Christmas are filled with large street parades called Krampuslaufe. The main feature is a demonic, horned creature called Krampus, Saint Nick’ s evil counterpart. In the Middle Ages, men would dress up as Krampus and chase children down the street, threatening to beat them for misbehaving, but today’ s Krampuses are less menacing.
MEXICO
The Night of the Radishes is a Christmas tradition that takes place in Oaxaca, Mexico, each year on December 23. Residents grow giant radishes and carve elaborate statues and scenes out of them, then put them on display at the local Christmas market for all to see.
POL
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FINLAND
Riisipuuro is a creamy rice porridge that’ s traditionally served at Christmastime in Finland. A whole almond is hidden inside the pot of porridge, and it’ s believed that whoever finds the almond in their serving will have good fortune in the coming year.
JAPAN
Christmas in Japan is finger-lickin’ good, with households across the country ordering buckets of KFC chicken for their Christmas feast. The idea started with a“ Kentucky for Christmas” marketing campaign back in the 1970s and has become so popular that people now order their holiday meal weeks or even months in advance. You’ ll also often see images of Colonel Sanders dressed up as Santa Claus. rai106 / Shutterstock. com
30 | NW GEORGIA LIVING NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2025