One of the great things about being a parent is the ability to pass down holiday traditions and values to your little ones. Whether you’re pretending to be the tooth fairy, passing on Great Aunt Gerda’s recipe for candied yams, or staying up late to plant your elf on the shelf, we all have sacred traditions in our families. These traditions become especially important during the holidays. And with Christmas just a week away, we wanted to explore how our spoiled moms from around the world celebrate the holiday season — maybe you’ll even learn a new tradition to bring into your family!
Traditions leading up to Christmas Day
In the Netherlandschildren look forward to December 5, when Saint Nicholas (or Sinterklaas) brings gifts to children who have behaved well in the past year.
Sinterklaas (where “Santa” originated) leaves gifts in clogs or shoes left by the fireplace or windowsill. Some clever children may leave carrots and hay in their shoes, hoping to lure Sinterklaas’ horse into their homes. Naughty children, as the tale goes, get something much worse than coal. Instead, they get kidnapped to Spain for a year, where they’ll be taught a thing or two about good manners!
If you are in Indonesia, it is common to see Christmas trees made of chicken feathers. These Balinese trees are usually handmade and shipped worldwide. Maybe you even have one in your home! In Venezuela, Christmas celebrations begin on December 16 with large crowds leading up to Christmas Day. In the capital city of Caracas, it is a tradition to wake up early on Christmas Day roller skates at the church! Roads are closed to vehicles from 8am so people can cross the roads safely.
Christmas traditions around the world
In Argentina, the fireworks go off on Christmas Day at midnight. And it’s not the only thing that lights up the skies. Families bring out “globes,” lighted paper lanterns shortly after midnight. It’s a sight to behold! In Austria, Christmas Day celebrations begin around 4pm on Christmas Eve. During this time, each town’s Christmas tree is lit and families gather to sing carols in the town square. The most popular carol is “Silent Night” or “Stille Nacht”, which was written in Austria in 1818. 
With only one percent of Christians in it China, Christmas is not a well-celebrated holiday. However, in recent years, the practice of giving fancy wrapped apples on Christmas Eve has become increasingly popular. This is because Christmas Eve is called “Ping An Ye” or silent night, which sounds similar to “Ping Guo” or apple. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, long and elaborate nativity plays are performed on Christmas Eve — sometimes with six choirs! Since the religious aspect of the celebration is celebrated here, gifts are generally not exchanged. In Finland, Christmas Eve traditions abound. One practice that is particularly cool involves families visiting the graves of their loved ones and leaving white lanterns next to the headstones.
Christmas traditions around the world
Christmas falls in the middle of summer for the Land Down Under, so Australians they have been known to celebrate with a cold Christmas dinner or light seafood spread. The main meal is actually eaten at lunchtime and can be a garden barbeque, a picnic or even served on the beach! For single ladies (and gents) this holiday, there is a superstition The Czech Republic which says that if you throw a shoe over your shoulder on Christmas Day and the toe points to the door, you will soon be married.
Santa Claus-WHERE?
The myth of Santa Claus seems omnipresent, but he is not the ultimate giver Italy. Children in Italy look forward to Epiphany, a Christian Feast that falls 12 days after Christmas (January 6). On the eve of this day, an ugly but kind-hearted witch named Befana flies on her broomstick to visit the homes of good children. 
It is said to have sheltered the Three Wise Men as they followed the star to find the baby Jesus. The wise men invited La Befana to join their quest, but she refused. However, after her guests left, the old woman changed her mind. By this time the star had disappeared, so she was never able to present her gifts to the new king. To this day, she visits children’s homes, hoping one is baby Jesus. He leaves candies and gifts for good children. To the bad guys, a lump of coal. A similar Babushka story is told to children in Russia.
What are some of your favorite holiday traditions? Which one are you most excited to pass on to your kids? Share below!
