European Christmas Traditions
Merry Christmas from Prague! Today we’re sharing some of the more eccentric and interesting European Christmas traditions that you might see if you travel here for winter break. Visiting Europe at Christmas is fantastic, and we’ve shared many videos about traveling over the holidays. Here are some of our favorite unique traditions.
Czech Republic: Women Throwing Shoes
In the Czech Republic, single women are supposed to throw a shoe over their shoulder toward the door. If the point of the shoe faces the door, it means the woman will get married in the coming year.
Germany: Christmas Markets
In Germany, the Christmas Markets are everywhere. Revelers will drink gluhwein and gingerbread cookies, while shopping various booths for Christmas gifs. Unless it’s a very touristy area, the Christmas markets generally shut down on the 24th.
The Best Foods at German Christmas Markets
Nickolaus / St. Nicholas Day, December 6th
On December 6th, it’s Nickolaus, or Saint Nicholas Day. On the night of the 5th, children put their shoes outside of their door in anticipation of a visit from Nickolaus. If the children have been good, they will find candy and treats in their shoes. For children who haven’t been good, Nickolaus travels with a partner who either leaves some coal in the shoes, or delivers a swat to the bottom. In Austria, he is called Krampus and looks like a devil. We’ve even received Nickolaus gifts at a hotel, so if you’re visiting Europe with kids, have them put their shoes out the night of the 5th!
Spain: El Gordo Lottery
Spain has one of the biggest lotteries in the entire world, called El Gordo. It’s held each year at Christmas time, and you can win millions of Euros by playing.
Spain: Poop-themed Christmas Decor
Even more interesting than the lottery, in Catalonia, there is an affinity for poop at Christmas. You might see icons of a man trying to poop, and there is also a Christmas log. The log is “fed” throughout the season, and then beat at Christmas until it “poops” out the presents. The “Ring of the Kings” is another Spanish tradition, and similar to a French king cake, you may find small toys baked inside this ring cake.
Germany: Christmas Tree Traditions
Our “American” tradition of putting up a Christmas tree actually comes from Germany, via England to the U.S. Germans have some really cool Christmas traditions, and often they decorate their Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. It’s also tradition to hide a small pickle ornament in the tree, and whoever finds the pickle on Christmas morning gets an extra gift.
Slovakia: Throw Pudding on the Ceiling
In Slovakia, there is a tradition where the oldest man in the room gets to take a spoonful of pudding and throw it up on the ceiling. The more pudding that sticks to the ceiling, the luckier he will be in the coming year. In our household, throwing pudding on the ceiling is not going to bring me any luck!
Fasting Before Christmas
Some places in Europe will fast before Christmas. Many will fast until midnight on Christmas Eve, or in other places like Lithuania, they don’t eat meat until midnight and then celebrate with a feast. In Finland, we had 12 different versions of herring on Christmas.
Spain: Day of the 3 Kings Celebration
In some countries including Spain, celebrations continue until January 6th, the Day of 3 Kings. You’ll see processions and celebrations. In Italy, they have La Befana, a witch who hands out candy to children on the 5th. In other countries, the Christmas decorations and celebrations will end promptly on the 24th or the 25th.
These are a few of my favorite European Christmas traditions. We’d love to hear what some of your favorite Christmas traditions are, either abroad or at home! Do they really eat Kentucky Fried Chicken in Japan at Christmas?