The 14 most unusual Christmas traditions from around the world – and the confusion that led to a Japanese custom
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WHETHER it's hanging your stockings by the fire or leaving milk and cookies out for Santa Claus, we all have Christmas traditions that we follow. And depending on where you are in the world, your festive celebrations may look very different. From Donald Duck specials to festive dinners of KFC, we've rounded up some of the more unusual traditions from around the world.
![[Ukrainians often add decorative spider webs to their Christmas trees in honour of a folklore tale (stock image)]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/frosty-winter-spider-web-959472410.jpg?strip=all&w=847)
So as you sit back in front of your tree with a belly full of turkey, why not read how others are celebrating the day?. If you're not a fan of creepy crawlies then you might not appreciate this tradition. While we fill our Christmas tree branches with baubles, tinsel, lights, and stars, Ukrainians opt for decorations that mimic spider webs shimmering with dew.
![[According to Austrian tradition, Santa's sinister sidekick Krampus helps to prevent children from misbehaving (stock image)]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/procession-krampus-christmas-characters-alpine-959472412.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
This tradition dates back to a folktale about a poor widow who could not afford to decorate a tree for her children. Legend has it that the spiders in the house took pity on the family, and spun beautiful webs all over the tree. When the children awoke on Christmas morning, they found they're beautifully decorated tree.
![[Due to an old advertising campaign, Japanese people often acknowledge Christmas with a meal from KFC (stock image)]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/NINTCHDBPICT000280638161.jpg?strip=all&w=590)
Spider webs are also considered to be lucky in Ukrainian culture. Most kids are well acquainted with Santa Claus but few cultures know of his evil accomplice. Austrian culture has included this sinister character, who is known to all as "Krampus.". This ghoulish creature is said to wander the streets in search of badly behaved children during the month of December.
![[Residents of Caracas in Venezuela often dress as Santa and roller skate on Christmas morning (stock image)]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/NINTCHDBPICT000959472425.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
