It’s Christmas all over the world..

My husband has recently returned from a business trip to Holland. He left on 5^th December, which turns out to be the most important day in the Dutch festive calendar, Sinterklaas (St. Nicholas). The eve when Sinterklaas comes to visit children and leave gifts. Now what I found interesting about this was Sinterklaas helpers. Zwarte Piet (Black Peters) is a companion of Sinterklaas and distributes sweets and presents to the children. A character from a book, they have come what somewhat controversial, I was shocked myself when being told about this! Zwarte Piet is black because he is a moor from Spain. The Dutch celebrate him by dressing up as the character, which includes painting their faces black, wearing curly wigs and wearing bright red lipstick.  My husband was given a Zwarte Piet cake, a traditional sweet treat on Sinterklaas.

Whilst he was there Mark was explaining our elves on the shelves, and the Dutch found it all very strange! This got me thinking about other countries traditions and festivals, see my top ten festivities below!

Gavle Goat, Sweden – Not the luckiest of ones this one! Since 1966 a 13m tall Straw goat has been erected in the town of Gavle. In this time, it has been burnt down 29 times! Last year (2017) they were thrilled to announce that it stood the whole festive season!

The Giant Lantern Festival, Philippines (Ligligan Parul Sampernandu) The City of San Fernando comes alive the last Saturday before Christmas Eve. 11 villages come to fight it out to have the best lantern. On average the lanterns are 6m in size and illuminated by electric bulbs in a kalediscope pattern. A real spectacle for the eyes!

The Yule Lads, Iceland – In the 13 days leading up to Christmas, the children of Iceland place their shoes by the sides of their beds in the hope that the Ice Lads come and pay them a visit. These 13 Troll-like characters leave gifts for nice boys and girls and rotten potatoes for the naughty ones! Each of the 13 characters get up to their own mischief with names like Gluggagaegir (Window-Peeper) and Kertasnikir (candle stealer) you get the gist of what sort of mayhem they cause!

Hiding of Brooms, Norway – A very strange one that goes back generations. People hide their brooms in the safest place in the house to stop evil spirits and witches coming on Christmas Eve and stealing the brooms.

Fried Chicken, Japan – In 1974 KFC came up with a campaign for Fried Chicken on Christmas day in Japan and the tradition has seem to have stuck! Families sit around table and feast on a good old Kentucky Fried Chicken!

Dia de las Velitas, Colombia – Meaning the day of little candles. The 7^th of December is the start of the Christmas celebrations in Colombia. Houses and streets are decorated with candles, lanterns and lights. The day is celebrated by Catholics all over the world as The Feat of the Immaculate Conception.

Krampus, Austria – Krampus is St. Nicholas’ evil accomplice. In the first week of December the men of Austria dress up and roam the streets dressed up at Krampus, frightening the children! The Austrian legend is St Nicholas comes and treats the nice boys and girls with gifts and Krampus comes to capture the naughty ones and take them away in his sack!

Cavalcade of Lights, Toronto – This festival marks the start of the festive season in Canada. The first show took place in 1967. The square and Christmas tree are lit up with over 300,000 LEDS that shine from dusk till 11pm.

Nativity Crib, France – You will find in a lot of houses in France a decorated Nativity Crib. The cribs have clay figures in them. Most will be traditional nativity scenes where as some can have figures such as butchers, a baker, a policeman and a priest!

Julekalender, Denmark – National TV in Denmark show every year an advent TV series. One episode every day is shown from December 1^st till Christmas Eve. First shown in 1962, this tradition involves a similar storyline every year, with someone trying to destroy Christmas and then being saved!