When I was younger, my grandma had a World Book Encyclopedia Christmas Around the World box subscription. It was like one of the earliest subscription boxes known to man and each year around Christmas a new box would show up featuring a new country. In the box there was a book, a card-stock advent calendar with a cultural scene of that country, an ornament, and I think a few recipe cards. Along with the odd semester in elementary school where we learned about all of the iterations of Santa Claus, it made Christmas exciting. This year has been pretty stressful and I haven’t felt very much of the Christmas Spirit so I channeled little me and went on the hunt to learn about Christmas traditions from around the world.

These days I don’t need to bust out the World Book collection (what ever happened to that collection we had…) or the encyclopedia for that matter to be captivated by the different Christmas traditions. The internet had plenty of places to look. There is something so heartwarming about learning traditions that bring people together, often in ways I never imagined. Of course, I can’t cover them all, but here are some of the most fascinating ones that offer a glimpse into the tapestry of global holiday celebrations.

Midnight Mass in Rome

Growing up Catholic, Midnight Mass isn’t a foreign concept let alone a unique tradition. But gathering in the breathtaking Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore at midnight on Christmas Eve sounds like a once in a lifetime opportunity. The tradition of Midnight Mass has deep historical roots. It’s believed to have started with pilgrims in the 4th century, who celebrated a vigil in Bethlehem followed by a torchlit procession to Jerusalem. When the Basilica was built in the 5th century, Pope Sixtus III introduced Midnight Mass, a tradition that is celebrated worldwide. There’s something so magical about Rome at Christmas - the city’s ancient streets glow with lights and the reverence of the mass fills the air with hope and joy. It’s something I want to experience one day.

Fun Fact: The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore houses a relic believed to be from the manger of Christ.

The Gävle Goat

Sweden’s Yule Goat is a Christmas icon with roots in ancient legends. The town of Gävle takes it to another level with a massive straw goat put up each Advent. But here is the twist: locals often try to burn it down, despite heightened security measures. The Yule Goat’s fate has become a betting tradition, adding an element of mischief to the festive symbol. It’s a quirky blend of holiday cheer and playful rebellion.

Fun Fact: The Gävle Goat is so famous it even has its own social media account to update fans on its survival status each year.

The Japanese KFC Tradition

This is one of my favorites and I didn’t believe it at first! In Japan, Christmas often means celebrating with fried chicken from KFC. This quirky tradition began in 1974 with a marketing campaign that framed fried chicken as the perfect holiday meal. Now, it’s such a phenomenon that people pre-order their KFC buckets weeks in advance. The idea of Colonel Sanders dressed as Santa like above, cracks me up. This tradition is a reminder that Christmas is truly whatever you make it, marketing gimmicks work, and even countries where a significant portion of citizens don’t identify as Christian can still have fun.

Fun Fact: KFC locations in Japan feature Colonel Sanders dressed and Santa and transform their restaurants with special holiday-themed decorations.

Kahk in Egypt

One list I read about Christmas desserts mentions everyone should get to experience Kahk in Egypt, and I gotta say, it sounds pretty good to me. Egypt’s kahk cookies have a history as rich as their flavors. Dating back to the days of the pharaohs, these shortbread-like cookies are often filled with dates, nuts, or spices like cinnamon and cloves. For Coptic Christians, kahk marks the end of Advent fasting and is a symbol of celebration. I love the idea of people sharing these beautifully patterned cookies steeped in tradition.

Fun Fact: The geometric patterns on kahk symbolize wishes for prosperity and happiness, with molds often passed down through families for centuries.

La Befana in Italy

Ah, one of my favorite Italian traditions. La Befana - a kind, gift-giving witch - flies on her broomstick to deliver treats (or coal) on Epiphany Eve. It’s like Santa but 10,000% cooler. Rooted in Ancient folklore, this tradition blends pagan and Christian elements. She is beloved by children even if they poke fun at her. The lore behind La Befana took its place in our house growing up when our grandparents didn’t want us doing something - something I really forgot until this year. Children must not watch the witch as she visits or they are in serious danger! One tradition I loved learning about was the Regata delle Befane in Venice, where costumed gondoliers race through the canals. It’s a quirky and magical way to keep the holiday spirit alive well into January.

Fun Fact: La Befana’s story includes her passing on the journey to find Baby Jesus because she was too busy cleaning - which is why she has a broom. However, she felt guilty and set out to find Baby Jesus but was never able to find him. This is why she visits every house with a child and leaves gifts (Toys, candy, and fruit for good children, coal and dark candy for the bad ones).

German Advent Calendars

Advent calendars have always been a part of our Christmas traditions whether the World Book card stock ones or the tasty chocolate ones we received, but did you know they originated in 19th-century Germany? Early calendars featured 24 chalk lines on a door, which children would erase each day. Gerhard Lang’s innovation of cardboard calendars with tiny doors brough this charming tradition to life. Today, Germany takes advent calendars to the next level with giant versions on building facades, like those in Hattingen and Bernkastel-Kues. Sounds pretty whimsical to me!

Fun Fact: Giant advent calendars in German towns sometimes involve live performances or animations behind each “door.”

Rose Cookies in India

The same article that mentioned Kahk, brought Rose Cookies into the lexicon. In Goa, India, Christmas wouldn’t be complete without rose cookies. These delicate, flower-shaped treats are made using an iron mold and infused with cardamom and vanilla. A nod to Goa’s Portuguese heritage, rose cookies are as much a visual delight as they are a tasty one. Seeing families father to make these intricate cookies reminds me of how food often brings us closer during the holidays.

Fun Fact: The cast iron molds for rose cookies are often passed down through generations as heirlooms in Goan families.

La Quema del Diablo in Guatemala

This is a unique one that I found really interesting. On December 7, Guatemala participates in La Quema del Diablo - the Burning of the Devil. At sunset, communities light bonfires and burn devil effigies to cleanse their homes of misfortune. It’s a fiery spectacle filled with tradition, from vendors selling devil horns to families enjoying buñuelos and warm fruit punch afterward. This vibrant ritual, rooted in 17th-century beliefs, feels like a fresh start - an invitation to welcome Christmas with a clean slate.

Fun Fact: Some communities now use more eco-friendly materials for the effigies to minimize the environmental impact of the tradition.

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