Christmas traditions around the world Blogmas#7

Today I'm telling the craziest Christmas traditions around the world

Everyone on roller skates

Do you really love Christmas, but do you think the holidays could be even better if you added roller skates? Yes, rollerblades. In Caracas, Venezuela, many residents go to church on roller skates on the morning before Christmas. The unique tradition is so popular that several roads are even closed to ensure safety. Why they actually do this is not entirely clear.

Watch out for the huge cat

One of the strangest and perhaps even weirdest Christmas-related stories is certainly the one in Iceland. They say that during Christmas, a huge cat roams the snowy countryside there. She is said to be especially harsh on naughty children, but you are supposedly not safe from her, regardless of age. To avoid the cat, you need to get a new piece of clothing before Christmas. One sock is all it takes, and if they happen to meet, the huge cat will just pounce on you.

With a pickle on a tree

The tradition of decorating the Christmas tree as we know it today originates from Germany. Apparently, there is a custom to hide pickles among the branches of the tree. The child who finds it gets the gift. Some say that the pickle custom originates from Spain. There, two boys were trapped in a barrel of pickles, and Saint Nicholas is said to have rescued and revived them.

But who can find a pickle here????

Spider web as decoration

If spiders aren't your best friend, you won't like this tradition. In Ukraine, decorations in the form of a spider's web are put on the Christmas tree. This practice originates from the story of a widow who wanted to create a festive atmosphere for her children, but could not afford decorations. Legend has it that the woman took pity on the house spider, which therefore spun webs over the tree at night. So on Christmas morning, the children were still greeted by a decorated Christmas tree.

A host of caterpillars

When you think of holiday food, you probably think of cookies, roast turkey and potica. Well, in South Africa they look forward to fried caterpillars. Yes, you read that right. Caterpillars. They eagerly await the meal, as it is believed that those who swallow the caterpillar will have a bit more luck in the new year. A bit of luck always comes in handy, right?

Carrots in shoes

At the beginning of December, children in the Netherlands place their shoes next to the stove and hope that in the morning they will find a gift inside. Tradition dictates that you should leave some carrots in your shoes before going to bed. They are a treat for the white horse named Amerigo, who accompanies Sinterklaas - the patron saint of children, whose appearance is based on the idea of Saint Nicholas.

Sauna with ancestors

In Finland, a home sauna is something common. During the Christmas season, a very special tradition is associated with it, as the sauna then becomes a place associated with deceased ancestors. On Christmas Eve, the Finns first sit naked in the sauna, but when they go to the evening celebrations, their deceased ancestors are supposed to sit in their place in the heated space.

Take off your shoes

An unusual ritual is performed on the day before Christmas by single women in the Czech Republic. On this day, they step out of the house, take off one shoe with their back to the door, and then throw it over their shoulder. If the heel of the shoe was facing the door, it meant that in the next year the girl would still remain single. However, if the shoe lands with the toes facing the door, this is a sign that the girl will become wealthy within a year and that she can start preparing for marriage.

This is the end of today's post, which was quite long, but very comprehensive and interesting. You must have learned something new. I definitely did. See you again tomorrow!!

So that concludes today's post see you again tomorrow!
                                                               

 Rainbow Eve
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