Six of the most wonderful Christmas traditions from around the world

Six of the most wonderful Christmas traditions

Every nation has its own unique way of celebrating the festive season. Here are six of the best

By Lizzie Fletcher

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. The snow is glistening and Mariah Carey’s All I Want For Christmas Is You has been playing on the radio since the start of November.

In Britain, the image of Christmas is one of decorations, Christmas carols and a roast dinner with all the trimmings.  

Christmas is generally seen as the celebration of the birth of Christ. But it is a holiday celebrated by both religious and non-religious people. In Britain, the image of Christmas is one of decorations, Christmas carols and a roast dinner with all the trimmings.

Across the globe, people celebrate in all sorts of ways. Here are six of the best festive traditions from around the world, guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit.

1. Austria - The Krampus

Forget everything you think about Santa as a jolly old man. In Austria, Bad Santa takes to the stage each year. Bad Santa goes by the name of The Krampus, and he is not someone you want to run into.

The Krampus is depicted as a creature with horns and fangs: a half-goat half-demon monstrosity. As legend has it, The Krampus traditionally appears on the night before the Feast of St Nicholas (26 December). He carries sacks through towns, using them to carry naughty children away.

Today, The Krampus is still very much a part of Austrian Christmas tradition, but in a slightly more orderly fashion. Krampus Parades are popular, where people dress up as the character and march through their local town.

Six of the most wonderful Christmas traditions2. Philippines – Giant Lantern Festival

During December, the City of San Fernando becomes known as the Christmas Capital of the Philippines. The symbolism of light is important in the Philippines, and a large part of the festival is the display of giant lanterns.

The lanterns themselves represent the star that guided Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and throughout December lanterns small and large hang outside homes, offices and along the streets. At night, the city is aglow, and the flickering lights are a sight to behold.

3. Portugal – Consoda

On Christmas morning, many Portuguese hold a feast in their homes. This celebratory meal is known as Consoda.

During the feast, many families lay a space at the table for dead relatives. They sometimes leave crumbs of food out for the souls of the dead, too. This act is supposed to bring luck, with the hope that the souls of their relatives will take the seeds and provide a bountiful harvest.

In Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela, there is a tradition of people roller-skating to early morning church services in December.  

4. Sweden - Gävle Goat

Since 1966, it has become Christmas tradition for a giant straw goat to be erected in Castle Square in Gävle, Sweden.

The original objective was to attract customers to the shops and restaurants in this part of the city. But the goat has since become a Swedish symbol of Christmas, and is placed in the same spot every year.

Unfortunately, a further tradition has evolved: attempting to burn the goat down.

If straw-goat-based arson is your thing, there is a webcam placed in the square from the first Sunday of Advent, meaning you can follow the sculpture’s progress from straw to tinder.

5. Norway – Broom Hiding

An ancient tradition in Norway is the belief that Christmas Eve coincides with the arrival of evil spirits and witches.

Superstitious Norwegians believe that these creatures steal brooms and use them to ride around towns terrorising folk. As a result, it is tradition to hide all the brooms in the household on Christmas Eve night.

6. Venezuela – Roller Skating

In Caracas, the capital city of Venezuela, there is a tradition of people roller-skating to early morning church services in December.

The tradition is so popular that roads across the city have to be closed to allow for the safety of the skaters.

On the days when early services are being held, Venezuelans light firecrackers and ring bells to wake up their fellow citizens and get them ready for the skate to church.

So there you have it: six weird, wonderful and in some cases downright wacky ways people celebrate Christmas across the globe. And while I am definitely open to skating across town on Christmas morning, I think I’ll leave the Krampus to the Austrians… Happy Christmas!

 

If you enjoyed this article, you may also like:
How to enjoy Christmas without breaking the bank
Give your Christmas a bit of polish

 

Published: 3 December 2024
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2024

Jobs currently available

Cleaner (part-time)
Sector: Customer Services
Salary: £12.21 per hour
Location: Ipswich
Role: Part Time
Contract: Temporary
Job ref: JT-IPS-C-0725
About the role

Just Temps is supporting a company in Ipswich, seeking an experienced Cleaner to join their team on a temporary basis. This is a great opportunity for someone looking for short-term evening work.

Hours: 5.00pm to 9.00pm (Monday to Friday)

Role responsibilities include:

  • General office cleaning across multiple floors
  • Cleaning of toilets, canteen areas, and communal spaces
  • Lifting and transporting heavy cleaning equipment up and down stairs
  • Ensuring high standards of cleanliness are maintained throughout the building

Requirements:

  • Previous cleaning experience is essential
  • Capable of handling heavy equipment
  • Reliable and punctual with a strong work ethic
  • Comfortable working independently across various areas of the building

Benefits:

  • Competitive hourly rate
  • Evening hours – ideal for fitting around other commitments
  • Supportive team environment

Free parking is available on-site.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Technical Support Supervisor
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913720
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing organisation based in Sudbury to recruit a Technical Support Supervisor to join their long-standing team.

Due to business growth, this newly created position is responsible for supporting technical operations to ensure the smooth functioning of the technical systems, processes and projects under the guidance of the division's business leader.

The role is crucial in aligning the company’s technical capabilities with business goals, ensuring that the products are designed and manufactured/assembled to operate effectively and securely.

You will need to demonstrate experience in project management and implementation, technical experience and industry best practices. You will also need to show knowledge of compliance with relevant laws, regulations and industry standards.

Key requirements include:

  • Troubleshooting skills, to investigate and resolve technical issues relating to products
  • Provide technical support and training to other team members, including sales
  • Support the development and implementation of new products
  • Ability to produce accurate bills of materials (BOMS) and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
  • Experience in computer-aided design (CAD) and the ability to produce product drawings
  • Basic software programming skills would be an advantage
  • Sound understanding of electronics

This is a site-based role.

This role offers a very competitive package and a great working environment.


Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Product Sales Executive
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913721
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing business based in Sudbury, looking to add a Product Sales Executive to its long-established team.

Due to continued business growth, this newly created role will be responsible for building and managing relationships with both direct customers and distributors to drive revenue. The position forms part of the sales and marketing team.

Key duties include:

  • Qualifying and identifying customer needs, presenting product features and benefits, negotiating sales terms and ensuring customer satisfaction.
  • Selling to existing and new customers, building and maintaining client relationships, meeting sales targets, and developing your industry knowledge.
  • Identifying, qualifying, onboarding, and managing key partners to ensure they are motivated and aligned with business goals.
  • Demonstrate monitoring and reporting capability.

Key requirements include:

  • Proven experience in product sales.
  • Experience in qualifying and prospecting for new clients.
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, relationship-building and written skills with the ability to build rapport with customers, listen to their needs and effectively communicate product information.
  • Nurture relationships with existing customers to ensure satisfaction and identify repeat business opportunities.
  • Ability to demonstrate product features and explain benefits.
  • A solid understanding of the sales cycle and sales techniques is critical. Ability to close deals, negotiate and handle objections.
  • Effective time management — to be able to prioritise tasks, manage sales activities and meet deadlines.

This is a site-based role, but there is an expectation that you will spend a significant portion of the role outside the office with clients, prospects, and business partners.

This role offers a very competitive salary and package.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Industrial Sales Manager
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913719
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing organisation, based in Sudbury, looking to add an Industrial Sales Manager to their team.

Due to continued business growth, this is a newly created role for a high-performing Sales Manager with a background in engineering sales.

The key purpose of this role is to build and manage relationships with industrial users of their systems and channel partners across numerous sectors.

You will be experienced in developing and executing sales strategies to expand market reach and deliver growth in sales.

Specifically, you will have a track record of identifying, qualifying, onboarding and managing key customers, specifiers and partners, ensuring they are motivated and aligned with all industrial products and company goals.

Key requirements include:

  • Proven experience in engineering/industrial sales.
  • Experience in qualifying and prospecting for new clients.
  • Possess excellent communication, interpersonal, relationship-building, and written skills, with the ability to build rapport with customers, listen to their needs, and effectively communicate product information.
  • A solid understanding of the sales cycle, purchasing process and sales techniques in industrial sales is critical.
  • Ability to develop and execute direct sales and channel strategies, aligned with the company’s goals.
  • Ability to demonstrate effective time management skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks, manage sales activities, and meet deadlines.

This role offers an incredibly competitive package including company benefits and incentives.

The role is primarily office-based, with regular travel required to visit clients, prospects, and partners.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Production Planning Engineer
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Tiverton, Devon
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913718
About the role

Just Recruitment is recruiting a Production Planning Engineer for a manufacturer based in Tiverton, Devon.

The role will involve:

  • Planning the scheduling of systems and products onto machine centres for production.
  • Creating engineering drawings to support the manufacturing process when required.
  • Identifying tooling requirements for purchase to aid production.
  • Liaising with the Sales Team and other internal departments to progress jobs, resolve queries, and provide updates on lead times.
  • A strong ability to read and interpret technical drawings is essential.

Key skills required:

  • Experience in the use of AutoCAD/DraftSight/SolidWorks to design or annotate drawings.
  • Microsoft Office, Outlook, Syspro/ERP systems.
  • Good attention to detail.
  • Ability to understand Engineering drawings and processes.
  • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
  • Good time management skills.

Knowledge/background required:

  • Previous experience working in a planning office would be beneficial, although full training would be given.
  • The ability to read, understand and interpret engineering drawings is a must.
  • Could suit an apprentice or ‘hands-on’ engineer who understands methods of Manufacture and CAD.

Hours of work:

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm (35 hours per week).
Hybrid working — supported post-training / probationary.

Benefits include:
In addition to a competitive salary, this role offers an attractive benefits package, including:

  • 25 days' holiday per annum, plus bank holidays.
  • Company contribution to pension.
  • Healthcare cashback scheme.
  • Discounts with local shops and services.
  • Discounts at many major retailers, including Argos, Curry’s, Halfords, Tesco, Sainsburys and Morrisons, to name but a few.
  • Free on-site parking.
  • Career progression opportunities.
  • Continued professional learning and development.
  • Preference will be given to applications with business-to-business direct sales experience in the electrical / tools / PPE sector.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more