Sources:
foxnews.com, parenting.com, aol.com, mentalfloss.com
In the United States, lavish home decorations, a mantle full of cards, candy canes, carols and cookies and milk left for holly jolly Santa - oh, and 24 straight hours of "A Christmas Story" - are part of our familiar Christmas traditions.
Other countries, though, have slightly different ideas about how to celebrate. Perhaps you'd like to incorporate some of them in your family's festivities. Deep-fried caterpillars, anyone? Fermented dead birds? Evil demons, maybe?
Well, here's a list of traditions from various countries so maybe you'll find one that grabs you (which is actually part of the tradition in some places).
Japan
Kentucky Fried Chicken rules the roost. A massive ad campaign back in 1974 has convinced the country that KFC is the finger-lickin'-good dinner for Christmas Eve.
In this Saturday, Nov. 24, 2001, file photo, Saint Nicholas, right, and his companion Krampus participate in a parade in St. Johann in the Austrian province of Tyrol.Austria
On Dec. 5, part-man, part-goat, part-horned demon Krampus comes around, beating all the naughty children. St. Nick comes along at the usual time to give gifts to the good kids. In recent years, Krampus' walloping evil has been toned down and he's more of a comical figure, so much so, a film comedy called "Krampus" came out in 2015.
Mexico
In the state of Oaxaca, Dec. 23 is "Noche de los Rábanos," or Night of the Radishes, which are carved into figures for nativity and other scenes. Nothing says Baby Jesus like a freshly sliced vegetable.
Catalonia
In this autonomous district on the northeast coast of Spain, nativity scenes include an effigy of a Caganer, a defecating man. Why? No one is quite sure, but some theories say he's fertilizing the Earth or that he represents authority figures who are brought down to the same level as anyone else. But we're still talking about a defecating man.
Guatemala
In the country's villages, everyone sweeps out their home, then puts all the gunk together to create a large pile. A figure of the devil is placed on top and burned. But doesn't the devil enjoy a touch of fire?
Greenland
Like many countries, food is a big part of Christmas in Greenland. So what yummy treats do they eat? How about mattak - raw whale skin stuffed with blubber. No? Then try the kiviak; it's a dead auk (think penguin) stuffed into a seal skin - feathers and all - then fermented for seven months. Sort of like Korea's kimchee - only meaty.
Iceland
If you don't get new clothes before Christmas Eve, you'll get a visit from the Yule Cat, who'll eat you. The tradition comes from Icelanders' belief that hard work is the hallmark of a successful life (the country has the highest amount of overtime pay in Europe). So, no work, no new clothes and a chewy meal for the Yule Cat.
Venezuela
Folks head to Christmas Eve Mass - on roller skates. But hey, there's a reason. Really. No cars or buses are allowed on the streets between Dec. 16 and Dec. 24, so how else are worshippers going to get to church?
Iraq
Christians in the mostly-Muslim country pile dried thorns and set fire to them. If they burn to ashes, it means good luck. Family members will jump over the ashes three times and make a wish.
Bavaria
Folks dress in lederhosen then fire mortars in a projectile-based tradition.
Ukraine
Christmas trees are covered in spider webs. A folk tale says a woman was too poor to decorate her tree, but when she and her children woke up Christmas morning, the tree was covered with webs that turned into gold and silver when touched by the first rays of the morning sun.
Italy
After Santa sneaks down chimneys on Dec. 25, the broom-riding witch La Belfana comes around on Jan. 5, the eve of Epiphany Day. She fills good kids' shoes with treats and thunks a lump of coal and yucky treats into the shoes of bad kids.
Slovakia
The oldest man in the home takes "loksa" pudding - a mix of poppy seed and bread - and chunks it at the ceiling. The more that sticks, the more good luck the family will have.
South Africa
According to folklore, the boy Danny ate the cookies his grandmother set out for Santa - so she killed him. He now haunts houses at Christmas. Wow, tough room. Oh yeah, some South Africans also chow down on deep-fried caterpillars. Maybe to replace the missing cookies?
Czech Republic
If you're not married (and want to be), stand outside your home on Christmas Day and toss a shoe over your shoulder. If it lands with the toes pointing at the door, marriage is in your future. If not, it's back to eHarmony.
Finland & Portugal
In these two countries, remembering the dead is an important Christmas tradition. In Portugal, at the morning feast called "consoda," a place is set at the table for the souls of those who have died. In Finland, candles are lit and placed on the graves of departed loved ones on Christmas.
Australia
Since Christmas comes in the summer Down Under, many celebrate it on the beach with sandmen instead of snowmen. And Father Christmas uses six kangaroos, known as boomers, to pull his sled, not reindeer.