By CAITLIN GALLAGHER and EMILY GRUNES December 16, 2021
In America, we are used to being bombarded with Santa and Christmas tree imagery for the holiday season, but in other countries, the symbols of the holiday season are much different. Here a just a few of the interesting foreign holiday traditions:
Japan - KFC Dinner:
In Japan, instead of a traditional Christmas dinner like ham or turkey, people often head to KFC for a family dinner! In fact, this tradition is so popular in Japan that KFC restaurants ask customers to order their food for Christmas at least two months in advance.
Wales - Caroling with a dead horse skull:
The legend says that the white horse Mari Lwd rises from the grave at Christmas and goes door to door challenging people to rhyming battles. Today, people in Wales go door to door with a decorated horse skull reciting the traditional song to initiate the “pwnco” or rhyme battle with the people inside the homes.
Oaxaca Mexico - Radish sculptures:
The tradition began when merchants would attract people on their way home from holiday mass with intricately carved sculptures out of radishes to be used as centerpieces at christmas tables. Today December 23 is officially named Noche de Los Rabanos, where artists and citizens come together to carve sculptures out of radishes.
Austria - Krampus:
Almost every child in America has heard the threat of getting coal for Christmas if they misbehave, but children in Austria are threatened with something far worse. Austrian children are threatened with Krampus, a mythical beast that kidnaps children in the middle of the night.