By Alleen Erchoff-Costet
What does the Christmas spirit mean to you? Christmas is celebrated in many different ways in cultures around the world. Most of us might set up a Christmas tree and open presents on Christmas day. Christmas traditions may include decorating the tree, baking cookies, opening presents, watching movies, and keeping up with The Elf on the Shelf. Some people have traditions such as hiding a pickle on a tree, but have you heard of these more unique Christmas traditions?
A popular tradition from Germany is the Krampus. We know that Santa Claus is a kindhearted old man who delivers presents to children on Christmas Eve. The Christmas Krampus is quite the opposite. He is a half-goat, half-demon monster that punishes children who misbehave. The name Krampus comes from the German word “Krampen,” which means “claw.” Another tradition from Germany is the Christmas market. In the town squares, people gather to listen to brass bands and enjoy traditional regional foods like gingerbread hearts, and almonds.
In France, children used to place their shoes near the fireplace, hoping for a visit from Père Noël’s, who would leave gifts if they had been good children. If the children were bad, they would instead be visited by Le Père Fouettard. These days, this tradition is considered to be outdated. Instead, people in France celebrate Christmas much like in the United States. There is, of course, a large feast called Réveillon, where traditional foods such as roast turkey, oysters, foie gras, lobster, venison, and cheeses are served. There is a popular dessert, a cake shaped like a log, called bûche de Noël, or a Yule log. This feat begins in the evening on December 24 and ends at midnight. In some regions of France, 13 different desserts are eaten.
A Swedish Christmas symbol is the Gävle Goat. The Goat originated in ancient pagan times and was a giant goat built out of straw. The building blocks of the Yule Goat tradition were lost over time, but in 1966, the tradition was revived. A giant straw goat measuring over 42 feet high, 23 feet wide, and weighing in at 3.6 tons is constructed. Today, as the giant goat is constructed, fans can watch it all of Advent until after the New Year. Another popular Swedish tradition is watching Donald Duck on Christmas Eve. Around 40% of the country gathers around the television for this tradition. As with other countries, food is a significant part of the Swedish Christmas celebration, with the julbord buffet featuring a rice pudding dish and a hidden treat for one person. Some Swedish children also leave out a hot cup of coffee to help keep Santa awake for the rest of his journey.
While Christmas in Japan is not a national holiday, many families visit their local Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant instead of feasting on roast turkey at home. This tradition of eating KFC began in 1974 because of a marketing campaign that advertised “Kurisumasu ni wa kentakkii!” or “Kentucky for Christmas!” The fast food chain continues to be an extremely popular tradition, causing people to order their boxes of crispy fried chicken months in advance or to stand in long lines at the fast food restaurant. The marking campaign was created by Takeshi Okawara, the manager of the first KFC in Japan, who overheard an expat saying that they missed eating turkey for Christmas and that chicken was the next best option.
Families create cherished memories and share laughter with their loved ones during this festive season. No matter how your family celebrates — whether it’s baking cookies with family or eating fast food — may this time of year bring you joy and happiness.
Alleen Erchoff-Costet is a student at Spring Grove High School. She is one of 13 area students participating in the Journal Writing Project, now in its 25th year.
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