Christmas traditions – funny things, aren’t they? What comes first in your house, presents or the Christmas dinner? Do you have stockings or sacks? And hands up if your whole family wear matching Christmas pyjamas on Christmas Day? Oh – that last one’s just us then…
Ma, parlando seriamente, le tradizioni natalizie non solo differiscono da una famiglia all'altra, ma anche da una cultura all'altra.
Below are a handful of Christmas traditions from around the world – we’re looking at adopting some of these for ourselves!
Animali domestici parlanti in Polonia
For the Polish, Christmas Eve is the big day! Known as ‘Wigilia’ – which means to ‘wait’ – the day is spent preparing a twelve course feast (yes, twelve courses!). At the start of supper, a thin type of wafer – called an ‘oplatek’ – is shared by the whole family, starting with the head of the household. Even the pets get a nibble, as legend has it that the wafer’s magical powers allow the animals to speak in human tongues!
Un fatto di festa: La festa di Wigilia non può iniziare finché la prima stella non appare nel cielo notturno!
Consegne di dolci in India
Instead of giving presents on the big day, Indians hand-deliver sweet treats! Traditionally called ‘kuswar’, these tasty culinary creations include fruitcakes, cookies and sweet dumplings that are given to friends, family and neighbours on Christmas Day, along with some Christmas cheer. Think Deliveroo – but with delicious Indian Christmas cibo!
Un fatto di festa: La neve è un po' difficile da trovare in India, quindi i bambini usano l'ovatta per creare l'illusione dell'inverno!
Riempire gli stivali in Romania
Christmas comes early to little ones in Romania, where they celebrate St Nicholas (‘Sfantul Nicolae’) on the 6th December. The night before, Romanian kids clean their boots, place them at the door or window and wait for St Nicholas to fill them up – which of course, depends on whether you’ve been naughty or nice!
Un fatto di festa: I canti natalizi rumeni sono più di una semplice melodia festiva, sono un'intera rappresentazione teatrale, con tanto di abito speciale per le feste!
Un Natale da Kentucky Fried in Giappone
As IF we needed any more convincing to visit Japan… A relatively new tradition – where Christmas isn’t that widely celebrated – Christmas Day involves gathering around the table with your nearest and dearest and diving into a share-sized bucket of deep-fried chicken.
Un fatto di festa: KFC Japan even produce their very own festive menu especially for the Christmas period – gnam!
Spazzare via in Norvegia
Norwegian Harry Potter fans hoping for a game of Quidditch at Christmas will be rather disappointed – as the whole nation hides their brooms! It’s a centuries-old tradition that dates back to when people believed that evil spirits came out on Christmas Eve and would steal people’s brooms to ride on.
Un fatto di festa: Ogni anno la Norvegia regala un enorme albero di Natale agli abitanti del Regno Unito. Lo si può vedere ogni anno a Trafalgar Square a Londra!
Il Natale è un momento in cui ci si ritrova con amici e parenti, vicini e lontani. Ecco perché gli elfi di Lebara hanno preparato un regalo speciale per tutti i clienti: chiamate gratuite il giorno di Natale! Per saperne di più, cliccate qui: https://mobile.lebara.com/gb/en/christmas