When it comes to holiday traditions, Santa and his reindeer are being upstaged by some quirky and unexpected traditions around the world.
From a gift-pooping log in Spain to a mythical cat that punishes lazy Icelanders, these traditions show just how creative and wild the holiday spirit can be.
Catalonia’s pooping log
This might be one of the most bizarre holiday traditions out there: The “Tió de Nadal” or pooping log. This beloved Catalan custom involves a wooden log decorated with a face that is fed treats throughout December and kept warm under a blanket. On Christmas Eve, children beat the log with sticks and sing traditional songs to coax it into pooping candy and gifts.
You’re not alone if you’re thinking, “What the heck?” But for Catalan families, the Tió de Nadal is a cherished part of the holiday season, blending humor, joy and a unique sense of festive creativity.
The Yule cat: Iceland’s giant feline enforcer
In Iceland, Christmas comes with a furry twist – and it’s not the cuddly kind. Meet the mythical Yule cat, said to prowl the snowy countryside looking for anyone who hasn’t received new clothes before Christmas.
According to the legend, workers who finished processing the autumn wool before Christmas would receive new garments as a reward. If they failed, the Yule cat would eat them up. This beloved but slightly ominous holiday legend adds a unique and somewhat eerie flavor to Icelandic holiday traditions.
Befana the Witch: Italy’s gift-giving crone
In Italy, Santa isn’t the only one handing out gifts. Befana, a broomstick-riding witch, delivers candy and presents to children on Jan. 5, Epiphany Eve. Legend has it she missed the birth of Jesus and has been searching for him ever since, leaving treats for kids as a sort of cosmic apology.
Befana is especially popular in Southern Italy, where she’s celebrated with warmth and humor. Her grandmotherly image and unconventional story make her a standout in the holiday pantheon – less ho-ho-ho, more hocus pocus.
The Mari Lwyd: Wales’ singing horse skull
Wales might win the award for the creepiest Christmas custom. The Mari Lwyd is a centuries-old tradition featuring a horse skull dressed up with ribbons and mounted on a pole.
Accompanied by a group of singers and performers, the Mari Lwyd visits homes, pubs and other gathering places, challenging those inside to a humorous and clever rhyming competition, almost like a rap battle. The Mari Lwyd’s goal is to win entry into the house and to be welcomed with food, drinks and merriment.
The origins of the Mari Lwyd predate Christianity, but in Wales, it’s a beloved tradition now intricately linked to Christmas. Quirky and uniquely Welsh, it brings communities together in good-natured, if a bit creepy, fun.
Chinese food: The Jewish Christmas ritual that delivers
Did you ever wonder why so many American Jewish families chow down on dan dan noodles and broccoli beef on Christmas Day? This tradition dates back to the early 20th century when Jewish and Chinese immigrants were often neighbors in urban areas. Chinese restaurants were likely the only places open on Christmas, so they became a natural gathering spot for Jews who had nothing else to do while their Christian neighbors went to church, opened gifts and ate holiday ham.
Today, many American Jewish families spend Christmas Day enjoying a meal at their favorite Chinese restaurant. They’ll likely skip the non-kosher char siu and Szechuan shrimp, but fill up on salt and pepper chicken, stir-fried egg noodles and sesame beef.
Roller skating to church in Caracas
Forget sleighs. People in Caracas, Venezuela, celebrate Christmas morning on skates. In answer to the problem of congested roadways on a day when everyone is trying to get to early morning Mass, the streets are closed to cars and many families don roller skates to get to church. Music fills the air and the city buzzes with laughter and joy as people glide to Christmas services.
This vibrant tradition reflects Venezuela’s sense of community and love of celebration. It’s proof that even sacred rituals can have a playful side – and that roller skating is a lot more festive than sitting in traffic.
KFC: Japan’s finger-lickin’ holiday feast
In Japan, Christmas dinner is all about Kentucky Fried Chicken. Every December, millions of Japanese families line up for KFC, a tradition that started with a 1970s marketing campaign called Kentucky for Christmas, which really hit the mark. According to KFC Global, nearly a third of the chain’s annual sales in Japan come in December. Fried chicken may not scream Christmas to you, but in Japan, it’s as iconic as a holiday sweater.
Naked Santa: San Francisco’s bare-it-all holiday antics
Leave it to San Francisco to add a cheeky twist to holiday celebrations. The city’s annual SantaCon event attracts hordes of Santas for a day of merriment. In true San Francisco fashion, naughty Santas wasted no time seizing on the opportunity to show off their gifts – all of them – as they joined the otherwise innocent celebration in the nude.
While not everyone is ready to deck the halls in nothing but a Santa hat, Naked Santa has become an iconic part of the city’s holiday lore, perfectly capturing San Francisco’s playful spirit and penchant for pushing boundaries. Just don’t forget the sunscreen – even in December, it’s sunny in California.
Why these traditions matter
From pooping logs to giant cats, these quirky customs remind us that there’s no right way to celebrate the holidays. The best traditions are those that bring people together. And if they happen to involve a horse skull or a giant mythical cat? Even better. Because let’s face it: Weird, wonderful and wildly unexpected customs are what make the season truly magical.
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Robin Donovan is the author of more than 40 cookbooks and the founder and creator of All Ways Delicious, a food site loaded with easy recipes for the best dishes from around the world. Her writing and recipes have been featured in major media outlets including MSN, Associated Press, Buzzfeed, Cooking Light, PopSugar, Chicago Sun-Times, Fitness, Parade, San Jose Mercury News and many others.