6 Best Christmas Traditions Around the World that are Truly Different

Christmas light, burning bright,
Jingles rhyming, bells tingling,
Santa is coming with gifts brimming,
Cakes are on the floor,
What is the wait for, Come enjoy the galore!

But few know that apart from these, in different corners of the world people celebrate Christmas with their slightly different customs and traditions. Come on, join me and delve into some of these bizarre and charming Christmas celebrations in vogue.

Great Britain, United Kingdom

It's Christmas time again and everybody's dreaming about those lip smacking puddings.Then how about a trip to Great Britain? Well, let us explain you why. Pudding is an important part of Christmas celebrations in Great Britain. But how many of you know that the Christmas pudding in Great Britain is more than special. As per folk tradition, the special pudding is to be mixed in a clockwise direction and while mixing it a wish is to be made which gets accomplished. Doesn't that sound yummy?

Italy

Since good old school days, we have heard a lot about father Santa coming on his reindeer sledge with lots of gifts for us. However this is not the case for the Italians. Reason, the Vatican was unable justifying the existence of Santa so they had another explanation for the kids. They proclaimed that a kindly old witch with the name La Befana, brings gifts for them. So, instead of waiting for father Santa, children in Italy wait for La Befana to shower them with gifts and toys. Good old witch !

Norway

Above is our good old witch but how about shooing away from witches? Come on, lets know more about this weird tradition. This tradition is practiced in Norway and also parts of Finland where all the brooms in the houses are kept shrouded on Christmas eve. As per ancient belief in Norway, the witches steal the brooms to ride the skies and spread bad omen. Therefore women hide their brooms and mops, while the men sneak out at night firing gunshots to scare away the witches. Scary, right?

Caracas, Venezuela

Christmas eve marks for a national holiday in Caracas,Venezuela. But this national holiday is marked in a very interesting modern day tradition. The streets in Caracas are closed off on Christmas eve to allow the churchgoers reach the church by roller skaters. True, at least a respite from choked traffic on Christmas day!

Latvia

In Latvia there exists a very odd and weird custom called mumming performed on Christmas eve. "Mummers" wear an array of masks that includes the faces of bears, horses, goats and gypsies and barge onto the streets. Truly a thrilling sight!

Ukraine

Spiderman! Spiderman! It's a dream date for toddlers and children who wait for a joy cling with spiderman swinging from one tower to another. But people might be wondering the connection between spiderman and Christmas. Ok! Then let me tell you the birth place of this connection, not with spiderman but the spider.

According to a folklore in Ukraine on Christmas day, a poor woman she woke up to find a Christmas tree made by her children made by the spiders. When the sun rays fell on it the webs turned to gold and silver. She was bestowed with fortune.

Therefore, spider plays a vital role in Christmas in Ukraine.

Truly, Christmas time is joy time. The fragrance of snow, cakes and relishing delicacies lingers in mind for time immemorial.