Unwrapping Christmas: Traditions and tales you might not know….
Christmas is coming and for millions of people it is one of the most important spiritual and/or cultural festivals in their calendar. A time to gather with family, swap gifts and enjoy a celebratory meal, Christmas has many aspects that are similar where-ever you go. But, with Christmas being a celebration since the 4th century CE and now celebrated globally, there are some surprising tales, facts and characters you might not have heard of.. read on!
Christmas celebrated globally has unique flavours, traditions and characters.
Naughty or nice?
Santa Clause (or St Nicholas) is synonymous with Christmas, but across the globe there are a variety of different cultural characters you might not have met! Meet our global character selection that are for both ‘naughty’ and ‘nice’ children. With some frightening inclusions, we hope everyone has been ‘good’ this year!
1. Krampus (Central Europe)
A horned, demon-like creature who punishes naughty children, Krampus is a striking counterpart to Saint Nicholas in Alpine folklore. Celebrated especially in Austria and Bavaria, Krampusnacht (Krampus Night) is celebrated with parades and people dressed as this scary figure in costumes and masks.
2. La Befana (Italy)
A kind but bedraggled old witch who delivers gifts to children on Epiphany Eve (January 5th). She originated in Rome in the 13th century and is similar to Santa; she rewards good children by giving them sweeties or toys and punishes bad ones by giving them coal, garlic or onions. According to her legend, she missed the opportunity to join the Wise Men and now flies on her broomstick, spreading holiday cheer.
3. Grýla, the Yule Lads and the Yule Cat (Iceland)
Icelandic Christmas folk-lore includes a range of mountain-dwelling characters who visit during Christmas. There is the Yule Cat, Gryla and the Yule Lads. Grýla is a giantess who eats naughty children, while her 13 mischievous sons, the Yule Lads, visit one by one during the 13 days leading up to Christmas, each with a distinct personality and prank. The Yule Cat, known as Jólakötturinn, is an enormous feline/cat who prowls the countryside, devouring anyone who hasn’t received new clothes for Christmas, reflecting Icelandic traditions tied to hard work and preparation.
4. Tió de Nadal (Catalonia, Spain)
Also called "Caga Tió" (the pooping log), this character is a wooden log with a painted face and a blanket. The log represents fire and warmth in the lead up to Christmas, which is in the middle of Winter. Children "feed" it in the lead-up to Christmas, then hit it with sticks on Christmas Eve to make it "poop" gifts and sweets. The presents and sweets are placed by parents, similar to under the Christmas tree.
5. Mari Lwyd (Wales)
Believed to originated from Samhain (Gaelic festival on November 1st that marks the end of harvest and beginning of Winter), this eerie figure is a horse skull decorated with ribbons and bells, carried by a person hidden under a white sheet. The Mari Lwyd character leads a group that goes door to door, singing and engaging in playful battles of wits with its visitors through rhymes.
6. Belsnickel (Germany and Pennsylvania immigrant communities)
A dishevelled, fur-clad and grumpy figure who is a companion to Santa Clause. He visits both ‘naughty’ and ‘nice’ children shortly before Christmas, quizzing them on their behavior and distributing candies for the good children.
7. Olentzero (Basque Country)
A variety of origin stories are associated with Olentzero in the Basque region. One such version believes he is one of the Basque mountain dwelling giants of the Pyrenees. He is generally portrayed as a jolly, pipe-smoking coal worker who delivers gifts to children. In Basque folklore, he represents the winter solstice and the spirit of generosity.
8. Ded Moroz and Snegurochka (Russia)
Ded Moroz (Grandfather Frost) delivers presents on New Year's Eve, accompanied by his granddaughter, Snegurochka (the Snow Maiden of Russian culture) as they deliver presents to children. Together, they embody the magic of winter rather than Christmas itself.
9. Julbock (Sweden/Scandinavian)
The Yule Goat’s (Julbock) origins are unclear but is believed to have roots in Norse mythology and their god Thor. It was once the bringer of gifts but today, it's more commonly seen as a straw decoration placed on Christmas trees and around the home.
A different way to celebrate
Around the globe there is a rich tapestry of different traditions that have developed in different countries and cultures. Explore these interesting traditons and see how many you already know.
1. Spider Web Decorations (Ukraine)
Instead of tinsel or glitter, Ukrainians sometimes decorate Christmas trees with artificial spider webs and spiders. This tradition stems from a folktale in which a poor widow’s tree was magically adorned by helpful spiders, symbolizing good fortune.
2. KFC for Christmas Dinner (Japan)
In Japan, Christmas isn’t a traditional holiday, but a marketing campaign in the 1970s popularized eating KFC on Christmas Eve. Now, it’s a widely embraced tradition, with families pre-ordering their chicken buckets weeks in advance, or even waiting in long queues outside KFCs on Christmas Day! Find out more about the origins of the tradition here.
3. Roller Skating to Church (Venezuela)
In Caracas, many people roller skate to early morning Christmas Mass during the nine days leading up to Christmas. For some, they will stay up all night skating and then go to 5am or 6am mass in the morning! Streets are even closed to cars to accommodate this festive practice.
4. Hiding Brooms (Norway)
On Christmas Eve, Norwegians hide their brooms to prevent witches and evil spirits from stealing them to ride off on. This centuries-old superstition ties back to folklore about witches causing mischief during winter nights.
5. Radish Carving Festival (Mexico)
In Oaxaca, Mexico, La Noche de Rábanos (Night of the Radishes) is held on December 23rd. Originating in 1897, market vendors carve intricate designs with radishes. People travel across the city and Mexico to see the intricate carvings into Nativity scenes, animals, and other festive designs. This unique tradition is a prelude to Christmas celebrations. Check out some photos of carvings here.
6. Sauna Christmas Eve (Finland)
In Finland, families visit a sauna on Christmas Eve as a way to relax and cleanse before the holiday feast, with an estimated 80% of families taking part in a Christmas Eve sauna! Sauna’s are often decorated with Christmas themes including candles, lanterns and branches. It’s a time for peace and introspection, often linked to ancient Finnish traditions.
7. Lighting Giant Lanterns (Philippines)
The Giant Lantern Festival in San Fernando is held from December 17th - Jan 1st. It features spectacular lanterns made of intricate designs and dazzling lights. This event is a highlight of the Philippines' long Christmas season.
8. Christmas Pickle (German-USA)
This tradition is thought to have originated as a German-USA tradition created in the late 19th century. It involves a pickle-shaped ornament is hidden on the Christmas tree, and the first person to find it on Christmas morning receives a special reward - such as an extra present from Santa, or is said to have good luck for the coming year.
9. Wearing Matching Pyjamas (USA and Global)
A more modern but unusual trend involves families wearing identical Christmas-themed pyjamas, symbolising family and togetherness, often for social media photoshoots. This quirky tradition has gained popularity worldwide, with the encouragement of marketing by sleep wear companies!
Christmas classroom activities with a global lens
If you are planning on doing Christmas crafts, reading Christmas stories or exploring Christmas traditions, consider how you might bring a global lens to your activities to build students’ Global Competencies. You can use a culturally responsive strategy and start by asking students how they celebrate Christmas (if they do) and which traditions they have that might have come from different countries or cultures over time. Here are some engaging, culturally responsive activities for primary school children to explore Christmas celebrations around the world:
1. Create a Global Christmas Map
Activity: Provide a world map and ask students to identify their family and friends around the globe celebrating this festival. Ask them to reach out to them and see what is similar and different between the way Christmas is celebrated there and by students.
Extension: Explore some global Christmas traditions (choose age appropriate examples from the list in this blog or elsewhere) and label countries with their unique Christmas traditions (e.g., "KFC in Japan," "Yule Cat in Iceland") or ask them which other festivals and holidays they celebrate or know others celebrate globally.
2. Read Stories from Around the World
We recently read The Tomtes’ Christmas Porridge, by Sven Nordqvist, which introduced us to the Swedish tradition of Christmas porridge.
Activity: Read folktales and stories about Christmas figures like La Befana (Italy), Grýla and the Yule Lads (Iceland), or from your own country. Can you visit your school or local library and ask the librarian to help find global stories to share?
Extension: Ask students to choose one to re-enact. Put on a class play of global stories or present some at school assembly.
3. Food Tasting or Recipe Sharing
Activity: Sample or learn about global Christmas foods, such as stollen from Germany, panettone from Italy, or pavlova from New Zealand/Australia. Students can also bring family recipes and create a class “holiday cookbook.”
Extension: Try some Christmas recipes out!
4. Christmas Music Around the World
Activity: Listen to carols or songs from various countries (e.g., "Feliz Navidad" from Spain, "Stille Nacht" from Austria). Students can learn and perform their favorite.
Extension: Make a spoken word or rap about Christmas in your country and how it is celebrated. You might use an AI program like Suno to write the song or Sora to make a ‘music video’
5. Virtual Christmas Visits
Activity: Use Google Maps to explore famous sites associated with Christmas e.g. Jerusalem or iconic Christmas sites.
Extension: Create a presentation about an important Christmas related location somewhere in the world.
6. Christmas Traditions Bingo
Activity: Create a bingo card with global traditions (e.g., "KFC in Japan," "Radish carving in Mexico"). Students play BINGO and mark the card as they learn about each tradition.
Extension: Students research their own global traditions and make their own BINGO sets for others to play.
7. Pen Pals or Cultural Exchange
Activity: Connect with a classroom in another country to exchange holiday traditions via letters, videos, or crafts, using sites such as iEARN or ePals.
Extension: Create videos about how Christmas is celebrated in your own country for global partners.
8. Craft Multicultural Decorations
The Christmas Tree at our place includes local Australian flora and fauna, including a koala swagman!
Activity: Make Christmas crafts inspired by global traditions, such as:
Ukrainian spider web ornaments.
Catalan Caga Tió log replicas.
Mexican papel picado banners.
Extension: Can you make Christmas tree ornaments that represent your country’s flaura and fauna?
9. Global Christmas Quiz
Activity: Organize a quiz with questions about Christmas facts and traditions worldwide - there are lots of different options online.
Extension: Create an inter-class event to finish up the year with different teams and quizzes created by students. Quizzes could be prepared for younger year students as well.
10. Multilingual Christmas Wishes
Activity: Learn together how to say "Merry Christmas" in different languages, watch Merry Christmas in 10 Different Languages or Merry Christmas in Different Languages (this one has mainly European languages) (e.g. "Meri Kirihimete" in Māori). Create a wall display with these phrases.
Extension: Find as many different languages spoken in your school and ask people who speak those languages to teach others in their class or at an assembly.
However you celebrate Christmas, have a happy, safe and peaceful Christmas period and into the new year.
