Many of us have our own Christmas rituals we do every year. In our house that usually involves an advent calender, Christmas cookies, Secret Santas, watching classic Christmas movies, a Christmas Eve box, Midnight Mass, and reading the classic poem “The Night Before Christmas” at bedtime, to name a few.

around town for a couple of hours chasing Santa Claus while wielding a whip.

In Austria children have fun being frightened by Krampus, Santa’s evil counterpart who punishes naughty kids.

In Iceland it’s said that the Yule Cat devours those who are less fortunate.

Deep fried Emperor Moth Caterpillars is a favorite Christmas dish in South Africa

The Mari Lywd (gray mare) ritual in Wales involves parading a horse skull around while signing carols.

A nativity scene in Spain is incomplete without “El Caganer” which is a man pooping.

Along the same theme in Spain, children beat their pooping log on Christmas Day until it bears candy and nuts.

In Germany the first child to find the pickle in the Christmas tree gets a small gift and a pickle.
In Norway one must hide their brooms from witches on Christmas Eve.

In Finland one must sleep on the floor on Christmas Eve so that the dead can use the bed.

In the Ukraine spider webs are popular ornaments, it’s believed that if you see a spider web on Christmas Day you’ll have good luck.

In the Czech Republic single women go out to their porch and with back against the door toss a shoe over their shoulder. If the shoe lands pointing at the door, it’s a sure sign they will be married soon.