Christmas Traditions from Around the World
It’s that time of year again – international Christmas trivia!
- If you find a spider web on your Christmas tree in Ukraine, it’s a sign of good luck.
- Some Armenians fast the whole week before Christmas, and then break the fast with a light foods such as fish, lettuce, and spinach.
- If you’re in Iceland – watch out! You don’t have to just worry about Santa, but instead watch for 13 Yule Lads who will pull mischievous pranks on you. And where do these Yule Lads come from? Why from their mother of course, who kidnaps naughty children and boils them in her cauldron!
- Despite being at a quite northern latitude, some communities in Ireland celebrate the holidays with a Christmas swim – brr!
- In New Zealand, the Maori way of saying Merry Christmas is Meri Kirihimete, and there is a special Maori carol titled “Te Harinui” which means great joy.
- Stay up on Christmas Eve in Argentina – at midnight everyone sets off fireworks to celebrate Christmas Day!
- In Chile, a popular holiday drink combines coffee, milk, and liquor with cinnamon and sugar. It’s called Cola de Mono, or monkey’s tail.
Wherever you are celebrating the holidays this year, we are wishing you and yours the happiest of holidays and an adventure-filled 2020!
With love,
the Esplanade Team
Thank you to WhyChristmas.com for the fun trivia!
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