Christmas Around the World: Family Traditions to Make You Laugh, Cry, or Go "Wait, What?"
Christmas traditions are like families—no two are exactly the same, and some are downright eccentric. Around the world, people celebrate with customs that range from heartwarming to hilarious. This year, why not borrow a little inspiration from other countries? While these traditions might have originated or also be celebrated in other countries, this is a starting point for you to begin. Here are 10 Christmas traditions to adopt into your family, along with questions to help you reconnect with your roots.
1. Iceland: Yule Lads and Festive Mischief
Tradition: Iceland has 13 Yule Lads—mischievous trolls who leave small gifts (or potatoes!) in kids’ shoes each night leading up to Christmas. Imagine telling your kids to be good for the 13 different trolls!
Adopt It: Start a countdown tradition with tiny gifts or notes leading up to Christmas Day.
Coaching Question: What small daily tradition could build excitement in your home this season?
Iceland’s troll and potato
2. Japan: KFC for Christmas
Tradition: Thanks to a wildly successful marketing campaign, many Japanese families celebrate Christmas with a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Yes, really. Pre-orders are made weeks in advance to ensure crispy, golden goodness. Whoever thought KFC could be pre-ordered weeks ahead of time?!
Adopt It: Make fast food a tradition! Choose your family’s favorite guilty pleasure meal and turn it into a holiday feast. Bonus points for dressing up the table with fancy napkins.
Coaching Question: How can your family embrace fun and simplicity during the holidays instead of stressing over perfection?
Japan’s cat and KFC
3. Italy: La Befana, the Gift-Giving Witch
Tradition: In Italy, a kindly witch named La Befana delivers gifts to children on January 6th, marking the end of the Christmas season. She’s said to fly around on her broom, leaving candy for good kids and coal for the naughty ones. They celebrate on the day Jesus actually received his gifts!
Adopt It: Create your own whimsical holiday character! Maybe a superhero delivering socks or a unicorn spreading glittery cheer. The sillier, the better.
Coaching Question: Who in your family could play the role of a quirky gift-giver, and how can they bring joy to everyone?
Italy’s witch and vespa
4. Australia: BBQ on the Beach
Tradition: While the rest of us are freezing, Australians are grilling up a storm at the beach. It’s a sunny, sandy celebration with shrimp, sausages, and cold drinks. Seems like a nice laid-back celebration!
Adopt It: Bring summer vibes to your winter holiday. Host an indoor tropical party with Hawaiian shirts and BBQ skewers.
Coaching Question: How can your family make the most of your local environment to celebrate Christmas uniquely?
Australia’s BBQ and kangaroo
5. Mexico: Las Posadas, the Nine-Day Journey
Tradition: In Mexico, families celebrate Las Posadas from December 16th to the 24th. This reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter, with nightly processions, songs, and festivities. Each evening ends with a party featuring piñatas, delicious food, and plenty of community cheer. The piñatas are a hit with the kids!
Adopt It: Host your own mini-posada! Invite friends and family over for a night of caroling and sharing stories, complete with a piñata for the kids—or the young at heart.
Coaching Question: How can you incorporate storytelling or community activities to make your holidays more meaningful?
Mexico’s Mary and a guitar
6. Norway: Hide the Brooms
Tradition: In Norway, families hide their brooms on Christmas Eve to prevent witches from stealing them for a midnight ride. It’s a mix of superstition and holiday fun. I bet they find some creative ways to hide a broom!
Adopt It: Turn this into a hide-and-seek game with a twist. Hide something festive (like a tiny gift or ornament) and have the kids hunt for it.
Coaching Question: How can your family add a playful twist to your Christmas traditions?
Norway’s ice castle and broom
7. Philippines: Giant Lantern Festival
Tradition: In San Fernando, families create massive, dazzling lanterns as part of the annual Giant Lantern Festival. These lanterns symbolize hope and unity. Imagine seeing all these floating lanterns in real life!
Adopt It: Make your own lanterns with the family. Use paper, string lights, or whatever craft supplies you can find.
Coaching Question: How can your family create something beautiful together to symbolize your values?
Philippines’ tarsier and floating lanterns
8. Germany: Advent Calendars Done Right
Tradition: Germans are pros at Advent calendars. From handmade designs to chocolate-filled ones, the countdown to Christmas is an event in itself. Sounds like they enjoy getting crafty!
Adopt It: Create your own calendar filled with small, thoughtful gifts or family activities. Who says it has to end on the 24th?
Coaching Question: How can small daily rituals help your family savor the holiday season?
Germany’s advent wreath and spiced wine
9. Venezuela: Roller Skating to Church
Tradition: In Caracas, Venezuela, Christmas mornings begin with a joyful twist: families roller skate to early morning church services. The streets are even closed to cars to accommodate the fun. It's a unique trinity - faith, tradition, and a bit of exercise.
Adopt It: Try a pre-gift-opening family activity—whether it’s a walk, bike ride, or even a festive dance-off in the living room. Bonus points for wearing Santa hats.
Coaching Question: What fun tradition could your family adopt to kick off Christmas morning with energy and excitement?
Venezuela’s church and roller skates
10. France: Bûche de Noël and Midnight Feasts
Tradition: French families bake a Bûche de Noël (a Yule log-shaped cake) and gather for le réveillon, a decadent feast after Midnight Mass. Think oysters, foie gras, and all things fancy. There’s a reason they are known for food around the world.
Adopt It: Try baking your own Yule log or have a late-night snack tradition—pajamas and chocolate encouraged.
Coaching Question: What new food tradition could your family embrace to make the holiday extra special?
France’s stained glass window and yule log
🌍 Traveling this holiday season? Going with kids can feel like its own holiday tradition—full of surprises and a little chaos! Grab my FREE travel tips to learn how families from around the world stay sane on the go.
Christmas traditions around the world remind us that the holidays are about creativity, connection, and a whole lot of fun. Whether you’re eating fried chicken, skating to church, or making snow taffy, the key is finding what brings your family closer together.
So, which tradition will you steal—er, lovingly borrow—this year? 🎄
Until next time, enjoy the journey!
