Dec 08, 2025
In Finland, families head to the sauna on Christmas Eve, a sacred tradition meant to purify body and mind before celebrations. The sauna is also believed to be visited by ancestral spirits during the holidays.
Source: unsplash
Instead of one Santa, Iceland has 13 mischievous Yule Lads who visit children during the 13 nights before Christmas. Each leaves small gifts or potatoes for naughty kids and each has a quirky personality like Door Slammer or Sausage Swiper.
Source: unsplash
In Japan, Christmas isn’t a public holiday, but millions celebrate it by eating KFC. A 1970s marketing campaign turned fried chicken into a festive tradition, and people still pre order their buckets weeks in advance.
Source: unsplash
In Oaxaca, Mexico, locals celebrate La Noche de Rábanos, carving elaborate scenes, animals, nativity figures, even miniature cities out of giant radishes. It’s one of the world’s most unusual Christmas art festivals.
Source: unsplash
Norwegians traditionally hide all their brooms and mops on Christmas Eve. This old custom comes from a superstition that evil spirits and witches would roam the night looking for brooms to ride on.
Source: unsplash
In the Philippines, the city of San Fernando hosts a dazzling Giant Lantern Festival, where enormous, hand crafted lanterns glow in elaborate patterns. It’s a vibrant community celebration symbolizing hope and light.
Source: unsplash
Ukrainian households often decorate Christmas trees with sparkly spider webs. The tradition comes from a folktale about a poor widow whose tree was magically covered in webs that turned to silver, bringing her family good fortune.
Source: wikipedia
In Caracas, people travel to early morning church services on roller skates. Streets are even closed for skaters, turning mornings into a festive, community wide glide toward Christmas Mass.
Source: screen grab from youtube video
What happens when you light a lemongrass candle in your home?