Christmas Traditions Around the World PDF

Christmas Traditions Around the World By: Carlyn Large Austria: Bad Austrian children live in fear of the Christmas devil Krampus. Unlike the murderous monster in the 2015 movie, Krampus is said to beat naughty children with branches. Cana...

Christmas Traditions Around the World By: Carlyn Large Austria: Bad Austrian children live in fear of the Christmas devil Krampus. Unlike the murderous monster in the 2015 movie, Krampus is said to beat naughty children with branches. Canada: Canada Post recognizes the address Santa Claus, North Pole, Canada, HO HO HO as legitimate. Any letters sent to this address are replied to. Catalonia: Catalonians include the figure of the Caganer in their nativity scenes. Caganer is a figure depicting a man squatting down defecating. They also decorate Tío de Nadal, or “the pooping log”, with a face and blanket and beat it with sticks on Christmas Eve. Czech Republic: Unmarried women stand by a door and throw a shoe over their shoulder. If the toe points towards the door, they are believed to be married in the next year. Germany: Children leave a shoe outside on December 5th. Good children awake to find it filled with sweets while naughty ones are disappointed to find a branch. Greece: A race of goblins, known as the Kallikantzaroi are said to wreak havoc during the 12 days of Christmas. Guatemala: Guatemalan neighborhoods sweep out their houses, and then create a large pile of dirt accompanied by a devil effigy. They then burn it to cast the devil away. Iceland: A mythical beast known as the Yule Cat is said to stalk the Icelandic hills. People don’t receive new clothes before Christmas Eve are ‘devoured’ by him. Italy: Italian children, rather than Santa Claus, await the arrival of Befana the friendly witch. Japan: As a result of a powerful advertising campaign in 1974, many Japanese families now eat KFC on Christmas Eve. Latvia: A group of “mummers” dressed in outlandish costumes travel from house to house exchanging treats for blessings. Norway: All brooms are hidden on December 24th in case an evil spirit or witch should try to steal them.