You won’t believe how they celebrate Christmas!

Second and last part of this installment! We continue talking about curious Christmas traditions that you can find all over the world . Did you miss the first part? You have it on our blog , don’t miss it!

Australia :​

Barbecues on the beach! While we’re staying warm here, in Australia they ‘re celebrating Christmas with barbecues on the beach, under the sun. Not a trace of snow!

Why barbecues on the beach for Christmas?

Opposite season : While in the northern hemisphere we are in the middle of winter, in Australia it is the middle of summer. This means that instead of snow, they enjoy sunny and warm days.

Adapted traditions: Although the celebration of Christmas has its roots in the Christian tradition , customs have adapted to the climatic and cultural conditions of each place. In Australia , with its warm climate , barbecues on the beach have become a very popular tradition .

Outdoor activities: Australians take advantage of the good weather to do outdoor activities during the Christmas holidays. The beach is an ideal place to meet with family and friends, enjoy a good swim and a barbecue.

Other curiosities about Christmas in Australia :

Santa’s Summer: Instead of a Santa Claus dressed in a red coat, in Australia it is common to see Santa Claus in beach clothes or even swimming in the sea.

Sports: Many Australians take advantage of the Christmas holidays to practice outdoor sports such as surfing, cricket or rugby.

Special events: Many Australian cities host special events during Christmas, such as parades, concerts and Christmas markets.

Is Australia a bit far away for you? What if we celebrated Christmas in the Canary Islands ?

How is Christmas celebrated in the Canary Islands?

Warm weather : The most characteristic feature of Christmas in the Canary Islands is the good weather. While we stay warm on the Peninsula , on the islands we can enjoy the sun and the beach. It is common to see people sunbathing or swimming in the sea during these dates.

Mixed traditions: Canarian Christmas is a mix of Spanish and local traditions. Traditional holidays such as Christmas Eve, Christmas and the Three Kings Day are celebrated, but with a more tropical touch .

Sand nativity scenes: A very popular tradition in the Canary Islands is the creation of sand nativity scenes on the beaches, especially in Las Palmeras. They are true works of art that attract numerous visitors.

Easter Ranchos: This musical tradition , originating in the 16th century, consists of groups of people walking through the streets singing carols and playing instruments.

Three Kings’ Journeys: In many towns, the Three Kings’ Journeys are performed, a theatrical representation of the journey of the Three Kings to Bethlehem.

Gastronomy: The Canary Islands ‘ Christmas cuisine is very varied and delicious. Dishes such as sweet potato stuffed omelette, herreño cheese , alfajores from Gomera and wine mantecats stand out.

And in Venezuela ? Yellow ” underpants ” for New Year

In Venezuela , on December 31st it is customary to wear yellow underwear to attract money in the new year.

The tradition in Venezuela and Latin America is rich

Origin: Although its exact origin is unknown, this custom has become popular in much of Latin America and has become a deeply rooted tradition in many families . It is believed that it originated as a way to attract good luck and prosperity in the new year .

The meaning of the color yellow: The color yellow is commonly associated with gold, wealth, and the sun. Therefore, wearing yellow underwear on New Year’s Eve is believed to attract financial abundance and success in the new year.

Other variants: In some countries , such as Brazil, underwear of other colors is worn to attract different types of luck: red for love, white for peace, etc.

How it’s done: The tradition involves putting on yellow underwear just before midnight on December 31st and wearing it all night. In some cases, it’s accompanied by other rituals, such as writing a wish on a piece of paper and burning it.

And you? What is the strangest Christmas tradition you know?

Merry Christmas to everyone!