Interesting Christmas traditions from around the world

Days before Christmas, we have already entered the mode of fulfilling some Christmas beliefs that 2021 will bring health, happiness, prosperity and money. Counting backward from 10 as we enter the new year, or enjoying the fireworks, has now become a classic. Have you ever wondered about the interesting Christmas traditions that are unique to different parts of the world?

Here are the Christmas traditions in different cultures that we have compiled for you...

Romania

On New Year's Eve, Romanians try to communicate with their animals. They believe that if the animals are reciprocated, it will bring luck for the next year. Another interesting tradition is that people wearing bearskin dance in the streets, which is believed to keep evil spirits away.

Denmark

Danes celebrate Christmas by breaking their old plates in front of the door. They believe the more plates were broken, the luckier they entered the new year. Another tradition is that relatives and friends enter the new year by jumping out of a chair. They believe it brings luck.

Greece

Greeks hang an onion in front of their door, symbolizing rebirth. The next morning, they wake up the children in the house by hitting them on the head with the same onion.

China

In China, homes are being cleaned "to banish the evil spirit and misfortune of the past year." Another interesting tradition is that on the first day of the year, they paint their front doors red to bring happiness and good luck.

Czech Republic

According to a common belief in the Czech, at Christmas, they divide the Apple in half and look at the shape of the region where the kernels are and have a prediction about the next year.

Germany

Germans make and eat Berliner in the new year. As a joke, they put incompatible ingredients such as mustard in some jams. It is believed that whoever comes across this doughnut will spend the entire year unlucky.

Italy

No doubt the Italians are the ones who started the fashion of wearing red underwear on New Year's eve. Italians who enter the new year wearing red underwear believe that this tradition will bring good luck, prosperity and love. It is also believed that eating round-shaped foods brings abundance. For this reason, as a Christmas tradition, lentils (because they look a little like money) are eaten, so it is believed that the whole year will be full of work and money.

Spain

Spaniards eat 12 grapes when the clock rings at midnight 12 times to bring happiness to the new year. It is believed that eating 12 grapes will bring happiness and prosperity for 12 months. And then they make wishes.

Netherlands

The Dutch light new year's trees as bonfires and equip the entire sky with fireworks displays. They believe it exorcises the evil spirits of the past year.

United Kingdom

The English form a circle hand in hand and sing the famous poem ‘Auld Lang Syne’ by Scottish poet Robert Burns with enthusiasm to strengthen national ties.

Switzerland

According to Swiss traditions, for the new year to bring luck and wealth, on New Year's day they pour a lump of cream on the floor of the house. Another tradition is that they welcome the new year by wearing costumes that they believe represent good spirits.

Philippines

In the Philippines, since circular shapes are considered sacred and a symbol of fertility, on New Year's day, people dress up in spotted dresses and consume round-shaped food.

France

The French celebrate the new year by eating lots of pancakes.

Hungary

The sand in the giant hourglass found in Budapest takes a full year to spill. In the new year, this giant hourglass made of Steel is rotated by four chosen people.

Norway

The tradition that Norwegians can't give up is a Christmas dessert made from marzipan. This multi-layer cake is decorated with flags, and Norwegians spend Christmas eating this cake.

Siberia

Siberians take tree stumps and dive into the frozen lake to place them under the ice.

Japan

Japanese people hang the rope in front of houses" to ward off the evil spirits of the old year, " and they welcome the first seconds of the new year is also entered with laughter. Another tradition in Japan is that the arrival of the new year is celebrated by ringing the bells 108 times in Buddhist temples. Each bell sound symbolizes a sin in Buddhism.

Chile

In Chile, people eat a spoonful of lentils at midnight and believe that business life will be fruitful in the new year. The forced entry of a Talca family into the cemetery for a visit on New Year's Eve has also become another tradition, and today it is kept open for all people to visit on New Year's eve.

South Africa

In South Africa, old household items are thrown out of the window "for good luck" and they are entered to the new year with new items.

Belarus

A pile of corn grains is placed in front of single girls and a rooster is left in the middle. They believe that whatever corn the Rooster eats, that person will marry before the others.

Scotland

According to Scottish tradition, the first guest to enter the house after midnight brings luck with him. At midnight, people enter the race to be the "first foot" of the year to the home of their loved ones. Friends or relatives enter the house with the right foot and bring gifts such as money, bread, salt, coal, whiskey.

Russia

In Russia, people write their wishes on small pieces of paper and burn these papers. And then they throw the ashes of burning paper into a champagne glass and drink this champagne.

Colombia

Colombians who want to spend the whole year traveling carry suitcases during the day of December 31.

Argentina

According to Argentine tradition, they wear pink underwear for Christmas and believe it increases fortune. They also believe that eating beans on New Year's day will bring success at work or a better job.

Finland

A very common tradition among Finns is the process of casting tin at Christmas. The tin is melted and emptied into a bucket full of cold water. According to the shapes taken by the cooled tin, next year's fortune is being looked at.

Estonia

New Year's Eve is celebrated by increasing the number of daily meals. They believe that the more meals ate, the more luck and strength it will bring.

Ireland

Single women in Ireland are putting mistletoe under their pillows in the hope of getting married in the new year. It is also believed that, according to Irish tradition, hanging bread on the wall at Christmas repels evil spirits.

Canada

According to a new year tradition known as" polar bear swimming, " Canadians celebrate the new year by jumping into the freezing waters of British Bay.

Iceland

In Iceland, they believe that genies enter houses, the dead are resurrected, seals take human form and cows can talk at Christmas.

Brazil

Thousands of Brazilians throw white flowers into the ocean every year as a presentation to the Goddess of the Seas. In this way, they believe that the Goddess of the Seas will fulfill her wishes in the next year. Another tradition is that on New Year's Eve, white clothes are worn to ward off evil spirits.

Panama

They throw puppets called” Muneco", representing evil spirits, into fires that are lit in the streets on New Year's Day. The puppets are considered to represent the Old year and believe that they drove away from the evil spirits of the last year.

Peru

In a village in Peru, people enter the new year by fist fighting with each other and believe that problems will be solved, they will turn a new page.

Ecuador city

Here, Christmas is celebrated by burning images created from photos taken in the past year. Also, some men, representing the brides of the past year, can dress as women.

Mexico

Mexicans paint their houses in different colors on Christmas Day. They believe that each color symbolizes a different hope. For example, Red is for those looking for Love, Yellow is for those who want a job, and Yesil is for those who expect money...

Singapore

Every Christmas people gather to drop the white spheres, which their wishes are written, into the Singapore River and he expects his wishes to come true in the New Year.

Unfortunately, there is no Christmas tradition in Turkey. But because of the freedom of thought and belief, foreigners are happy to own property in Turkey and live here. You can examine our current real estate ads and contact us for the most suitable housing for yourself and enjoy living in Turkey.