The Strangest Christmas Traditions from Around the World

Recommendation: Try adopting one quirky tradition this year to spice up your lovely festive party and create lasting memories with family.

In a finnish twist, Christmas Eve blends a candlelit meal with a post-dinner sauna, then a shared gift exchange that signals the start of the festivities. The mood stays calm and lovely, showing how simple routines can raise spirits. Children often say maybe Santa will appear after the saturnalia-style lights glow outside, adding a playful spark to the night.

Around the world, Japan demonstrates a very different festive focus: families commonly celebrate with a reserved KFC meal, a tradition boosted by enduring english language campaigns and clever commercial storytelling. If you want a twist you can imitate, reserve a special order a few weeks ahead and turn the dinner into a lighthearted party rather than a ritual. In Venezuela, many people brighten Christmas morning by skating to Mass on roller skates, a spectacle that turns quiet streets into a moving celebration and invites neighbors to cheer from the curb.

Other memorable scenes include Ukraine’s spider web tree ornaments, a nod to luck and resilience, and Iceland’s 13 Jólasveinar who visit homes in the days before Christmas, sometimes leaving small treats for good pride and some doing chores. In Italy, La Befana visits on Epiphany with sweets for the well-behaved and coal for the naughty, a reminder that dates can shift and that kindness shows itself after Christmas. Add a touch of english storytelling to explain each custom, and you’ll keep conversation lively while respecting mops and other pets who hang around under the tree.

1 Christmas with KFC in Japan

Reserve a KFC Christmas bucket two weeks in advance and pick it up on December 24 to secure the centerpiece of your celebration. There, already, many houses in Japan have made chicken the go-to holiday dish.

The marketing push in the 1970s caused the idea to become a nationwide habit. This shift became visible from Tokyo to small houses across the countryside, and many families lived with the ritual year after year. Later, chains expanded menu choices and pre-order windows, so you could pick up a prepared bucket at a convenient time.

In modern-day Japan, pre-orders for a Party Barrel that includes fried chicken, sides, and a Christmas cake are standard. Orders mention pickup times on the form, and many stores offer online bookings with instant confirmations. Some campaigns include a short poem on packaging, and ads sometimes feature a jester mascot to add whimsy. A neon sign stands by the doorway, and enormous crowds gather outside the stores on peak nights. In germany, such meal rituals echo the same idea of gathering around food. charles, a store manager, joked that he heard customers say they feel the Christmas ritual has become a simple, shared moment in December.

Because Christmas in Japan is largely secular, christians celebrate alongside colleagues and family, focusing on the meal as a social event rather than a strict religious rite. Many households include a small cake and a toast after the fried chicken, and some people even write a short note or a poem on a card to share with guests.

There are practical tips to maximize the experience: place orders early, decide a pickup window after work, and keep a backup plan for rain or traffic. In kitchens, a small crew keeps the space organized; as the meal is prepared, staff sweep with brooms, ensuring the area is tidy for guests. You can create a simple festive setting at home with a few lights to emulate the warmth of a commercial setting, and explore ways to involve kids with a short, playful token at the table.

Ultimately, the 1 Christmas with KFC in Japan shows how a brand-driven meal became a culturally resonant practice, much like similar traditions elsewhere. For travelers, it offers a window into modern Japanese holiday life and a practical, tasty way to join in the season.

Origins of the Japanese KFC Christmas Tradition

Order a KFC party bucket for your Christmas dinner; it started in 1974 as a marketing campaign in Japan, and it grew into a nationwide tradition that many families celebrate today.

When turkey was less common in Japan, the campaign began with a simple idea that already changed holiday dining: offer fried chicken in festive packaging as a convenient, crowd-pleasing option. The campaign began with targeted messaging to travelers and office workers and quickly spread, with stores open for advance orders and delivery. Telling stories from households that swapped turkey for chicken helped the idea spread, and the result was a cultural shift that feels almost ritual to many.

Today, the ritual is unusual and enduring: many households decorate the table with candles, cookies, and sweets, and serve pickles or a small salad alongside the fried chicken–a kind of comfort food that blends nostalgia with practicality. For many, the idea stands in contrast to a traditional turkey or duck on open fire, and it feels like a cultural comeback that almost crowns the holiday as a family queen.

Three factors explain the staying power: convenience for a busy holiday, the cultural twist that keeps Christmas dinners lively, and ongoing marketing that keeps the memory alive. In canada and poland, families mix the idea with local favorites and seasonal sides. Retailers like woolworths offer similar festive kits today, showing how the model travels. dont let preconceptions stop you from trying it–it’s a practical way to create a shared memory with your group, whether you grew up with turkey or not.

Typical KFC Christmas Menu Options and Bundles in Japan

Choose the three-bucket Family Set for a stress-free, crowd-pleasing Christmas feast in Japan, then add sides to suit your group. This bundle blends Original Recipe Chicken with Crispy Chicken and a mix of sides like potato wedges and coleslaw, covering much of the meal without hours in the kitchen. That approach finds that a simple order can deliver more joy than a long day of cooking – thats a practical win for modern-day celebrations.

Three bundle formats serve different group sizes: 2–3 people, 4–6, and 8–10. The Party Barrel is the social centerpiece, offering a mix of chicken pieces, sides, and a shareable cake, with a huge appeal for groups celebrating together. Stores began the season with decorated packaging and limited-time flavors, and opened early to accommodate pre-orders.

Desserts and drinks wrap it up. A Christmas cake is typically the finale, a light sponge cake with strawberries, a tradition that sits among mince pies in some markets. Pre-orders ensure the cake arrives with the chicken. You can add soft drinks to the table as well, and the box’s decoration adds a festive feel that matches the tree and lights.

Cultural notes: the KFC Japan campaign leans into Advent spirit, with sleigh motifs and storefront decorations that evoke snowy woods. Befana references appear in some markets, but in Japan the focus remains on chicken, cake, and straightforward feasts. The program began in the late 1970s and started expanding into modern-day bundles that customers can order online and pick up, with victoria-inspired palettes and decorations that keep the experience welcoming. Friends shoulder the feast as courses flow–from crispy bites to a sweet cake–surrounded by a tree at home and time spent among the woods for a warm celebration.

Practical tips: Pre-order early, ideally by mid-December; choose a pickup window; check English-language options; aim for at least three days in advance for cake and packaging.

How to Order: Delivery Windows, Reservations, and Timing

Pick a 60–90 minute delivery window and lock the slot in at least 2 hours before your meal. Using the app, compare options by distance and reliability, and choose the window that minimizes delays. If you’re hosting, designate a person to monitor orders and coordinate with the kitchen because every minute of timing matters. Those steps turn planning into a smoother experience, and they’re already helping most houses stay fed during busy evenings.

Delivery windows by meal type keep plan simple: lunch 11:30–12:30; dinner 17:30–19:00; some kitchens offer 20:00–21:30. Those windows are showing live availability, and they’re still flexible if you adjust early. If you were going to order late, switch to the earlier slot; potatoes and other sides travel best within the first window. You can reserve either lunch or dinner, and if you miss one, you can try the other–although the latter may be crowded. If you believe timing matters, add a 15-minute cushion to your window for pickup or transit. Some orders were delayed last season, so prepare a backup as a precaution. If you dont see a slot that fits, doesnt mean you cant still get a great experience; adjust your plan and pick the best alternative.

Reservations: secure seats 2–4 weeks ahead on weekends; those who book early often get preferred tables. For a festive group, tell the host about your plan to bring a dish that includes goat or potatoes; the staff says they can arrange seating accordingly. A single person can book a small table, and those friends can join later if needed. If plans shift, turn a possible rush into a smooth experience by swapping to nearby times and letting the team reallocate seating.

In cultural moments, nadal came up with a goat roast that travels with family traditions. In houses across the town, this dish and a simple potatoes side are celebrated with singing and brief poems, with people sharing stories while the order is prepared. The delivery person remains friendly, and the experience brought warmth to the gathering; still, the team communicates clearly by telling you when to expect your driver, which seems to work well for groups and individuals alike.

Seasonal Sides, Desserts, and Special Packaging You Might See

Begin with roasted chestnuts–they’re likely to be eaten by everyone, from rural streets to cozy kitchens, and they set a warm tone for festive gatherings.

live markets let you see vendors roast chestnuts and chat about family favorites, which helps you pick sides that fit your table. For years, traditions mention how sides, desserts, and packaging evolve with each country’s customs, offering guidance you can use this season.

However, consider how packaging travels: simple, recyclable designs travel better and reduce waste.

Seasonal Sides you might encounter:

• Roasted chestnuts, covered in steam and lightly salted, a staple that warms every crowd.
• Goose roast with herbs, a centerpiece often seen in poland and ukraine festivities, famous in german households as well.
• Loksa pastries served as a savory side in some rural traditions, offering a different texture than bread or potatoes.
• Mashed roots with caramelized onions for a rustic alternative you can prepare in under an hour.

Desserts you might see:

• Gingerbread and stollen, famous german treats that brighten any mantelpiece during festivities.
• Spooky, sugar-dusted ghost-shaped cookies for a playful touch that kids love.
• Seasonal chestnuts appear in creamy desserts and chocolate cups, balancing sweetness with nuttiness.
• A ukrainian honey cake or loksa–topped desserts can offer a different finish that widens the menu beyond standard pies.

Special packaging you might encounter:

• Julebord-inspired gift tins and wooden boxes, often covered in festive patterns, making a gift feel special.
• Wax-sealed jars and metal tins allow you to reuse keepsakes; using durable materials helps cut waste and keeps memories alive for years.
• Some packaging was banned in certain years due to safety rules, so check local guidelines before stocking up.
• Poland and ukraine markets showcase colorful folk art patterns on packaging; these are likely to find a place on the mantel or kitchen shelf.
• Ghost motifs appear on spooky collections, but the tone stays kind and family-friendly for every gathering.
• Thank hosts with a small loksa pastry tucked into a gift bag, a simple gesture that travels well across streets and rural celebrations.

Hosting Tips: Budget, Crowd Size, and Substitutes

Set a per-guest amount of 20-25 USD for food and drinks, and invite 10-18 guests to keep the room cozy for a family gathering.

Using inexpensive ingredients, plan two crowd-pleasing mains, one vegetarian option, and a dessert that travels well. Keep substitutes ready for different kinds of diets or allergies, so you can feed everyone without extra stress. Add a fancy garnish on desserts to elevate the look without raising cost.

Decorate the room with a small set of ornaments and glassware, keeping a central space open so guests can join conversations around the table. If you want a playful touch, hang a tiny spider ornament near the door to spark a smile.

Offer three light activities: a short songs set, a quick storytelling moment, and a simple group game. If the January event falls after holidays, this rhythm helps guests ease in and stay engaged. That rhythm should become your standard for future gatherings.

Substitutes help you stay on budget: use a prepared playlist instead of live music, reuse glass mugs, and opt for a gigantic serving tray to serve many guests at once.

Take inspiration from germany and other traditions, using evergreen greens and simple candles to create a warm, welcoming mood.

Track your total spending with a simple ledger, and set a safety margin to cover unexpected costs. For drinks, offer cider as a warm option and label glassware correctly to avoid mix-ups.

After the event, remind family there is no need for perfection; focus on connection and pride in what you truly created together.