Christmas is a time of celebration and there are many different ways people celebrate it. From KFC for dinner to Krampus kidnapping naughty children, here are some of the different ways Christmas traditions are celebrated around the world.
Kentucky Fried Chicken Dinner, Japan
In a country where less than 1% of the population identifies as Christian, it is customary to eat KFC for Christmas dinner.
Following WWII, Japan’s economy started to blow up and as it was opening up, Japan had a great interest in Western ideals as the US was a powerhouse at the time.
KFC started to locate to Japan in the 1970s and as a result, by 1981 they opened 324 stores there. That’s 30 restaurants a year!
At the time Japan didn’t have any Christmas traditions because it was and still is a secular holiday there. But when KFC rolled out it’s ‘KFC for Christmas’ for Campaign in the 1970s KFC for dinner became a tradition for a country who didn’t have any.
Gävel Goat, Sweden
Since 1966, a 43ft ‘yule goat’ made of straw has been built every year in Sweden’s Gävel Castle Square. The idea for the goat came from A man named Stig Gavlén who came up with the idea to design a giant version of the traditional Swedish Christmas straw goat. The objective was to attract customers to the shops and restaurants in the southern part of the city. On the first Sunday of Advent 1966. The goat, however, has become a target for arson and has been burned down 37 since it’s inception.
Krampus, Austria
A demon roams the city streets scaring children and punishing the naughty ones. This is St. Nicholas’ evil accomplice, Krampus. In Austria its tradition that St. Nicholas will reward nice boys and girls, while Krampus kidnaps the naughty ones and takes them away in his sack. On the first week of December, adults will dress up as Krampus and will scare the absolute bijaysus out children by clattering chains and bells.
Hide your Broom, Norway
Perhaps the strangest tradition after KFC for Christmas dinner one, this next tradition can be found in Norway. This involves hiding your broom on Christmas eve. The reason behind it is that it is believed that witches and evil spirits came out on Christmas Eve looking for brooms to ride on. This tradition dates back centuries and is still a thing to this day.