3 Top Festive Traditions Around The World

There are many different festive traditions across the world. You are probably familiar with the traditions of the country in which you reside but how about festive traditions around the world in other countries? The dazzling spruce tree in New York’s Rockefeller Center is an excellent example of a well-known tradition but how about those not so well-known?

There are many different festive traditions around the world. Audley Travel experts have rounded up some of the most exciting festivities to inspire your travels.

Iceland –Jólasveinarnir

The Christmas holiday here is called Jól, and festivities kick off on the 12th day of December. Children put out their shoes for the 13 Yule Lads, also known as the Jólasveinarnir. These are mischievous sprites that leave candy and small gifts for good children. For bad children, they leave behind rotting potatoes.

At 6 pm on Aðfangadagur, which is Christmas Eve, church bells ring across the country. This is when the feast begins. The feast can vary but could include a flatbread known as laufabrauð.

Japan – Kurisumasaniwakentakkii

For a modern Christmas tradition, look no further than Japan. Christmas cake is a traditional food in Japan during the festive period. Uusally this is a simple sponge cake with cream and decorated with Chtistmas icons such as Santa Claus and topped with chocolate and fruits such as strawberries.

Christmas is a purely secular yet modern celebration in Japan. The feel is distinctly Japanese, withlights twinkling and decorations beaming from seasonal markets. Extended families usually gather later in the season, on New Year’s Day, which is considered one of the country’s most important holidays.

Christmas festivities focus primarily on young couples and friends, who’ll exchange gifts and have a party.

Sri Lanka – Christmas Cake

A little unknown fact is that Christmas cake is incredibly popular in Sri Lanka. While it was originally bought to Sri Lanka by British colonialists, the recipe has gradually adapted and evolved with locally grown ingredients. The most important of which was the aromatic spices. These were added, as well as cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, and cardamom, to create the modern Sri Lankan Christmas cake.

These spices are in addition to dried fruits and nuts like roasted cashews, raisins, sultanas, dates, preserved cherries, and dried orange peel. It is quite the Christmas treat. Finally, jams such as chow chow preserve, and ginger preserve, are mixed in to ensure that the cake is smooth and moist.

In an independent Sri Lanka, the recipe is still popular today. It is served in cafes and restaurants across Sri Lanka in December, with families and friends often getting together to share a slice.