Holiday Traditions From Around the World

Countries around the world take holiday time and New Years seriously – or at least, they take it seriously enough to have some fun with it!

We’ve rounded up a few unique international traditions that can bring something new to your holiday merriment.

Why not incorporate a little international flavour into your celebrations this year?

A Moving Christmas

In Caracas, Venezuela, it’s tradition for families to roller-skate to church on Christmas Day – roads in many of the neighborhoods are even blocked off to cars until 8:00am the next day.
Prosperous New Year

In order to have good fortune in the new year, Filipinos fill their pockets with coins and shake them at midnight. It’s also popular to wear polka dotted clothing on New Years, as the pattern resembles the shape of money.
Time of Giving

On the first day of Eid Al-Fitr, friends and family join together for their first meal after a month of fasting. After the celebration, people donate to charities, visit loved ones, and give gifts to children. Although Eid Al-Fitr is celebrated at different times each year, this tradition serves as a great reminder to step back from the holiday hustle and instead give back to our family, friends, and community.
Embrace the Unexpected

Entering a home in Catalonia, Spain, you’ll find a Tió de Nadal (Christmas log) decorated with legs, a face, and red hat. Families take care of the log by “feeding” it and keeping it wrapped in a blanket. On Christmas Eve, children hit the log with sticks in hope that it will release presents and candies. No one knows how this unique tradition started (or why), but a common belief is that is symbolizes life’s randomness.