I am sure that when you think of decorations around holiday time, you imagine Christmas lights, trees, wreaths, and stockings by the fireplace. However, all around the world, countries who celebrate Christmas celebrate with different traditions and decorations. Here are just some of those popular Christmas decorations and traditions and where you can find them!
In Mexico, people carve radishes during Christmas time! The tradition of carving radishes in Mexico is associated with the unique festival known as “Night of the Radishes.” This festival takes place annually and has become a distinctive part of Mexican Christmas celebrations. During this night, elaborate designs are seen being carved and displayed for people to admire.
The tradition of hiding a pickle ornament in a Christmas tree is very common in Germany. Most people refer to it as the “Christmas Pickle.” Households participate in this tradition in different ways. Although, the general belief is that whoever finds the hidden ornament first on Christmas morning is said to have good luck for the new year. It is important to know that this is more of a recent tradition, rather than a deep cultural tradition.
Italy is highly honored for their production of beautiful glass ornaments. This tradition of creating these decorations goes back centuries. During the holiday season, Italian households often enhance their Christmas trees and homes with a variety of ornaments, especially glass ornaments. These glass ornaments come in various shapes, colors, and sizes, showcasing the skill and creativity of glass artisans. The ornaments may depict traditional Christmas symbols, such as angels, stars, and nativity scenes.
Karavakia is a unique Greek holiday tradition, where small boats are decorated during the Christmas season. This tradition mostly occurs in coastal towns and islands, relating to Greece’s marine history. While creating a captivating and enjoyable scene along the waterfront, this tradition also honors the importance of the sea in Greek history. This tradition definitely gets people in the holiday spirit in Greece!
In Ukraine, a captivating tradition is decorating Christmas trees with artificial cobwebs. This tradition is believed to bring good luck and fortune to those who participate. According to an old legend, a poor family had no way of decorating their tree one year, but woke up to spiders spinning webs beautifully on it. Symbolically, the spiderwebs represent the interconnectedness of family and friends. This Ukrainian tradition not only adds a touch of magic to the Christmas celebration but also serves as a reminder of the beauty that can emerge from simplicity and unexpected sources.
Overall, the diversity of holiday decorations and traditions around the world reflects the customs that
showcase what each country brings to the festive season. The creativity and distinctiveness of global celebrations is sometimes overlooked, so it can be enjoyable to take them into notice once in a white., It becomes clear that the universal spirit of Christmas is celebrated in which communities worldwide choose to deck the halls in their own unique ways.