International Christmas Traditions
Families nurture a wooden log called Tió de Nadal by “feeding” it throughout December. On Christmas Eve, children do this.
What is, beat the log with sticks while singing songs, and it “poops” out presents and candy?
A holiday celebrated by Jewish people around the same time as Christmas.
What is Hanukkah?
A tall, sweet bread loaf filled with dried fruits and sometimes chocolate. Traditionally enjoyed at Christmas, it symbolizes prosperity and is often gifted.
What is Panettone? (Italy)
Tim Burton first imagined this movie's characters while hallucinating during a fever. That surreal origin explains the film’s eerie yet whimsical tone.
What is The Nightmare Before Christmas?
Soft-bodied dolls with unique faces and adoption certificates.
(1983)
What are Cabbage Patch Kids?
Instead of just Santa rewarding good children, this folklore figure punishes the naughty ones.
Who is Krampus?
A major feast day in places like Italy, Spain, and the Philippines, celebrating the Virgin Mary’s conception without sin.
What is Immaculate Conception Day? (Catholic countries)
A sponge cake rolled and decorated like a Yule log, often frosted with chocolate buttercream. It reflects the old custom of burning a log for good luck.
What is Bûche de Noël? (France)
The iconic ending scene where crowds sing “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” was mostly shot in Vancouver, not New York City as the movie suggests.
What is Elf?
A handheld digital pet that required feeding, cleaning, and attention.
(1996)
What is a Tamagotchi?
On December 23rd, locals of Oaxaca, Mexico, carve these into elaborate nativity scenes and whimsical figures.
What are giant radishes?
A nine-day reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging, marked by processions, music, and piñatas.
What is Las Posadas? (Mexico)
Corn dough stuffed with meats, cheese, or chilies, wrapped in corn husks and steamed. Families gather to prepare them together during Las Posadas and Christmas.
What are Tamales? (Mexico)
The famous “major award” lamp shaped like a woman’s leg wasn’t a real product. It was designed specifically for the film, and replicas only became popular after fans demanded them.
What is A Christmas Story?
A sleek device that played music and connected to apps, seen as futuristic at the time.
(2007)
What is an iPod Touch?
Thanks to a clever 1970s marketing campaign, eating this has become a beloved Japanese Christmas tradition.
What is Kentucky Fried Chicken?
A winter solstice festival emphasizing family unity and balance, often celebrated with dumplings or tangyuan (sweet rice balls).
What is the Dongzhi Festival? (China and East Asia)
A hearty black bean stew with pork and beef, often shared during festive gatherings.
What is Feijoada? (Brazil)
Richard Curtis’s first draft included 14 interconnected stories instead of the 10 we see in the final film. He cut them down to keep the movie manageable.
What is Love, Actually?
Toys tied to a blockbuster movie, especially one character who became a cultural phenomenon.
(2014)
What is Frozen Merchandise?
In Iceland, children place these by the window starting 13 days before Christmas. Each night, one of the 13 “Yule Lads” visits, leaving small gifts or rotten potatoes depending on behavior.
What are shoes?
A cultural holiday honoring African heritage and values, celebrated with rituals, music, and the lighting of the kinara (candle holder).
What is Kwanzaa?
A whole roasted pig, crispy on the outside and tender inside, often the centerpiece of Filipino Christmas feasts.
What is Lechón? (Philippines)
When released in 1946, this movie actually lost money and wasn’t considered a success. It only became a beloved classic decades later when it entered the public domain and was broadcast repeatedly on TV.
What is It's A Wonderful Life?
A versatile gaming system that could be used in different ways, popular during long stretches at home.
(2020)
What is a Nintendo Switch?