Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – The celebration of Christmas Day is one of the times that most people around the world have been waiting for. Generally, the Christmas party is synonymous with setting up and decorating a Christmas tree, exchanging gifts and having dinner with family or loved ones.
However, in some countries there are actually a number of unique Christmas traditions that go beyond decorating a tree. Anything? The following is a summary from CNBC Indonesia reported by various sources.
Hide the broom (Norway)
Instead of just exchanging gifts and decorating the Christmas tree, Norwegians actually practice a unique tradition when Christmas Eve arrives, namely hiding broomsticks.
Reporting from Wanderlust, Norwegians believe that on Christmas Eve all evil forces and witches will come out and roam the land. Therefore, Norwegian families hide all the brooms in their house before going to bed. It was intended that they could not use the broom as a magic power.
Feeding the dead (Portugal)
On Christmas Eve, Portuguese families usually prepare Consoda or a large traditional meal. Uniquely, they prepare a special empty place at the dinner table for “alminhas a penar” or deceased relatives. It is believed that good things for his family will come if they prepare this special empty place.
Additionally, most Portuguese also leave food crumbs in the fireplace for deceased loved ones. This tradition is believed to provide bountiful harvests and prosperity.
Masquerade and Gathering (Canada)
The next unique Christmas Day celebration comes from the island of Newfoundland, Canada. While Indonesia has a tradition of hospitality during Eid, Newfoundlanders have a tradition of mumbling as Christmas arrives.
Residents celebrate Christmas by visiting the homes of neighbors and relatives. Only, guests must dress up and wear costumes. Whoever guesses, he must treat the host to dinner, and vice versa.
Decorating a Christmas tree with cobwebs (Ukraine)
Besides trinkets and decorative lights, Ukrainians decorate their Christmas trees with cobwebs. According to the beliefs of local residents, it is said that cobwebs can bring good luck.
The story of this tradition begins with a poor woman who could not afford to buy ornaments to decorate her tree. The next morning he woke up and the tree was covered in cobwebs that looked sparkling and beautiful in the sunlight.
Raising goldfish (Slovakia)
Most people who celebrate Christmas throw a big dinner party with their family or loved ones, Slovakia is no exception. However, one of the Central European countries has a unique dinner tradition.
Slovak family dinners feature carp as the main course. Interestingly, these goldfish cannot be purchased in supermarkets or markets, but must be bred in advance in the home bath a few days before Christmas Eve.
Devil in costume (Austria)
In Austria, there is a story that St. Nicholas has an evil partner named Krampus. Krampus is an evil “cop” who helps St. Nicholas to punish the naughty kids on Christmas Eve.
Consequently, reported by Wanderlust, on the night before Christmas, many men roam the streets dressed in Krampus costumes and carrying chains and baskets to “kidnap” naughty children.
This tradition is intended so that children do not run around on Christmas Eve.
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