Christmas is one of the most enchanting and joyful celebrations, getting everyone excited and anticipated, from kids to adults and older people. It is a celebration where you get together with friends and family. The house is full of Christmas spirit with awestruck decorations, a dining table filled with delectable dishes, and lots of jokes and fun stories shared while unwrapping lovely gifts. It truly is a delightful holiday. And the Christmas celebration doesn’t end here.
Many countries have a unique twist of their own, which they follow every year as a Christmas tradition, especially in European countries. If you are searching for new ideas every year to incorporate for a more fun and exciting Christmas, you don’t have to worry anymore. Here are 10 European traditions to try.
1. The Gherkin- Germany
Gherkin is one of the oldest European Christmas traditions in Germany. In it, parents aptly snuck a pickle-shaped Christmas ornament into the Christmas tree, among other decorations. The morning of Christmas is when the hunt begins, and the first one to find the pickle gets an extra gift or may get to unwrap the Christmas present first and get a good fortune for the next year.
The gherkin tradition originated in the Lauscha region of Thuringia, a German state, and was brought to the US by German immigrants. A pickle-shaped ornament may sound uncanny, but for the kids, it’s more like a fun competition to participate in, which you can also add to your other traditions this year.
2. La Befana- Italy
Santa isn’t the only one giving gifts. In Italy, a good witch named La Befana rides in the sky on her broomstick and delivers gifts to the children. However, La Befana doesn’t come during Christmas but on 6th January.
The origin of La Befana goes way back to the ancient pagans, even before Santa Claus. The story goes like this: three wise men invited an old- woman to join them in search of Christ’s child. At first, the older woman passed on the invitation due to some chores she had to finish, but later that night, she followed them in search of Christ’s child.
However, she got lost on her way. Since then, every year, La Befana has gone door to door to search for Christ’s children and drops gifts for them in the hopes of having baby Jesus with them. This doesn’t mean that the Italians are not excited about Santa Claus. The kids are just as anticipated and look forward to Christmas as they do Epiphany.
3. Tío de Nadal- Spain
Decorating a Christmas tree and then finding Christmas presents under the tree on Christmas is what most of us have grown up doing. But have you ever heard of the Christmas log? Well, Tío de Nadal is one of the unique European traditions in Spain, where a Christmas log with a smiling face, legs, and even a hat is welcomed into the house on 8th December, and is fed sweets and water and covered with a blanket.
This goes on and on til Christmas Eve. On Christmas morning, the hospitality towards the log is over, and a new form of treatment is done, where the family members one by one beat the log with a stick, forcing it to poop gifts as a form of reward for taking care of it. The beating is accompanied by a song by the family members that is sung about the log.
Sometimes, the parents insert the presents inside the log, which comes out of it. Other times, they are hidden under the blanket used to cover the log. Tío de Nadal is believed to have originated from the pagan practice in the Middle Ages, which nowadays isn’t followed much. However, many people still keep this tradition alive.
4. Christmas crackers- England
This is a tradition in England and many other parts of the UK, invented in 1847. A Christmas cracker is cardboard shaped like a huge candy, wrapped with gift paper and two strips of paper attached to each end of the cardboard.
When pulled apart from each side with the help of another family member, this candy-shaped cardboard pops up and reveals a small surprise gift, jokes, or a fun quote inside. Some people make DIY Christmas crackers at home, while others buy them from stores. It is a fun and exhilarating tradition you can have for this Christmas, and you can even make DIY Christmas crackers as a fun Christmas activity.
5. The Almond Porridge- Finland
Other amusing European traditions come from yet another country. In Finland, almond porridge is a traditional Christmas food made from rice pudding. The fun part comes when one almond is hidden in one of the portions. The one lucky enough to get the almond is supposed to have a prosperous coming year or sometimes is even more fortunate to get an extra gift.
Parents add almonds to every portion, especially to make the kids happy and content.
Another interesting tradition in Finland is to enjoy a relaxing sauna after Christmas dinner. If you haven’t been a part of this tradition, this is a sign that you should have it this Christmas with your family.
6. Red Lit Candle- Ireland
In Ireland, placing a red-lit candle in the window is one of the Irish Christmas traditions that originated in the 17th century. This red-lit candle symbolizes hope. It is also meant to welcome Mary and Joseph, who were seeking a place to stay in Bethlehem. Lighting the candle is a way for the Irish people to welcome them into their homes.
Over time, this tradition has evolved and spread outside of Ireland. Now, people from all over Europe and North America have also come together to follow this tradition. Nowadays, the candles are replaced by LED candles or sometimes placed in a candle holder.
7. Hiding the Broom- Norway
Norway has a peculiar Christmas tradition that has a slightly evil connotation. On Christmas, the Norwegians hide all the brooms in their houses or store them somewhere safe. This is basically due to a belief that evil witches escape on Christmas.
So, this is their way of protecting themselves by hiding the brooms away. This tradition goes way back in time and isn’t followed much nowadays. However, keeping it alive with your kids and involving them in this little activity of hiding brooms would be a fun tradition.
8. Koledari- Bulgaria
Bulgaria takes its Christmas tradition to another level. As the clock ticks twelve and Christmas Eve comes to an end, is when the ritual begins. A group of men and young boys step out in their towns and villages wearing furry caps and carrying colorful cudgels with them. They visit every house singing the Bulgarian Christmas carols. These men are called kolderi, and this ritual is called koleduvane.
In return for the wishes and lively carols, the people offer kolche, which is similar to a pretzel. Along with kolche, they offer small amounts of money, red wine, and wheat. This ritual goes on until Christmas morning. The reason behind this ritual is basically to keep evil spirits away during Christmas night.
9. Chichilaki- Georgia
Chichilaki is a Christmas tree-shaped sculpture made from shaved wood of hazelnuts or walnuts. The shaved curly strings are arranged in the form of a tree that slightly resembles a mop. This tree is then further decorated with redberries and dried fruits to make it look more appealing and beautiful.
This tradition of chichilaki was popular in Western Georgia. Even today, in the towns and villages of Georgia, you will mainly find these tree-like sculptures made from shaved hazelnut wood more than the normal Christmas tree. So, you can also make a small and unique Christmas tree this Christmas.
10. 13 Yule Lads- Iceland
You will be surprised that there is not 1 Santa, 2, or 3, but 13 Santas in Iceland. Well, not exactly Santas, but equivalent to Santa, who are known as the 13 Yule lads. Each one of them has a name and an intriguing personality. In the 13 days leading to Christmas, each of them visits the household daily and fills up the socks left by the children near the window.
If the children were on the good list, they received sweets; if they were naughty, they got rotten potatoes. This anticipation of getting sweets and gifts for 13 days until Christmas keeps the children inspired to be good.
Final Words
With these unique and exciting European traditions of Christmas, you can take some inspiration for this year to have one or two of these traditions with your family. Christmas is all about sharing happiness, meals, and some great laughs. With these traditions, you can make our Christmas even more memorable; while doing that, you are also keeping these traditions alive.
Last Updated on by Namrata
