Christmas is the season of twinkling lights, festive music, and cozy traditions, but not everything about this holiday is as sweet as candy canes. Some Christmas facts are downright bizarre, fascinating, and make you see the holiday in a whole new way.
From strange customs to unusual history, here are 20 weird Christmas facts that will make you smile, raise your eyebrows, and maybe even say, “Wait… what?”
1. Santa Was Once a Skeleton
In parts of Europe during the 17th century, Santa Claus was depicted as a skeletal figure, meant to remind people of mortality and the passing of the year. Talk about a spooky holiday vibe!
2. Japan Loves Christmas KFC
In Japan, it’s a full-on tradition to eat KFC for Christmas dinner. People even preorder months in advance because fried chicken is apparently more festive than turkey.
3. The First Artificial Christmas Tree Was Made of Goose Feathers
Germany, 19th century: people dyed goose feathers green to make Christmas trees. That’s right, fluffy birds were the original ornamented trees.
4. Norway Hides Its Brooms
In Norway, it was believed that witches and evil spirits would steal brooms on Christmas Eve. Families would hide their brooms to keep them safe; no flying on this night!
5. Tinsel Used to Be Real Silver
Tinsel originally consisted of strands of real silver, not shiny plastic. It was actually dangerous: too much could tarnish, making your tree sparkle… and your house smell like old coins.
6. The Christmas Pickle Tradition
In the U.S., a hidden pickle ornament is said to bring extra luck to the first child who finds it. It likely originated from Germany, but most Germans have never heard of it!
7. Iceland Has 13 Santa Claus Cousins
Iceland’s “Yule Lads” are 13 mischievous figures who visit children during the 13 nights leading up to Christmas. Each one has a unique quirk, from stealing food to slamming doors.
8. The Christmas Truce of 1914
During World War I, soldiers on opposite sides of the trenches temporarily stopped fighting to exchange gifts, sing carols, and even play soccer. Talk about holiday spirit!
9. Rudolf Was a Marketing Genius
Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer wasn’t a centuries-old legend; it was created in 1939 for a department store Christmas promotion. Yet somehow, it stuck worldwide.
10. The World’s Largest Christmas Stocking
The record-holder was over 168 feet long and 70 feet wide. That’s one stocking big enough for Santa to take a nap inside.
11. Advent Calendars Were Once Religious Only
Originally, these calendars counted down to Christmas Day, with prayers and Bible verses. Now, chocolate-filled or toy-filled versions dominate the holiday.
12. In Venezuela, People Roller-Skate to Church
In Caracas, it’s a tradition to roller-skate to early Christmas morning church services. Streets are even closed off to make it safe for skaters.
13. Christmas Was Once Banned
In 17th-century England, the Puritans banned Christmas celebrations, considering them too rowdy and sinful. Imagine a world without eggnog and carols!
14. Sweden Has a Gävle Goat
Every year, a giant straw goat is erected in Gävle, Sweden, but it’s famous for being repeatedly burned down by vandals. It’s a local Christmas ritual of sorts.
15. Boxing Day Isn’t About Boxing
December 26th got its name from the “alms boxes” placed in churches to collect donations for the poor, not for fighting. Sorry, no holiday gloves required.
16. The First Printed Christmas Card Was in 1843
It featured a family raising a toast. Now, we’re more likely to share emojis online, but hey, the spirit is the same.
17. Finland Considers Santa Claus Its Own Celebrity
Finnish kids can actually visit Santa’s village in Lapland. He’s treated like a VIP, complete with a post office, workshops, and a personal meet-and-greet.
18. Christmas Spiders Are Lucky in Ukraine
Decorating trees with spider webs is a symbol of luck. Legend has it that a poor family once woke up to find their tree magically covered in sparkling webs.
19. Germany Once Used “Knecht Ruprecht”
This scary companion of Santa carried a switch to punish naughty children. Please don’t mess with him, or your Christmas might get a little dark.
20. Santa’s Reindeer Names Evolved
Originally, only eight reindeer existed in the poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas.” Rudolph came decades later, and some modern versions now include female reindeer, reflecting the importance of gender equality!
Christmas is full of traditions, magic, and, as you can see, plenty of weird surprises. Whether it’s roller-skating to church, hiding your broom, or decorating with spider webs, these unusual customs remind us that the holiday season is as diverse as it is joyful.
Sources:
- History.com – Christmas Traditions Around the World
- National Geographic – Unusual Holiday Customs
- Britannica – Christmas History
- Atlas Obscura – Strange Holiday Traditions
Kate is a creative soul with a knack for entertaining people with random facts and historical tidbits. Whether she’s diving into history books, painting vibrant canvases in her free time, or crafting engaging stories, Kate’s passion for creativity and knowledge shines through.
She loves turning the ordinary into something extraordinary and believes there’s always a fascinating story waiting to be told. When she’s not busy exploring the past or wielding a paintbrush, you’ll find her sharing her latest discoveries with anyone who’ll listen.
