On Christmas Eve, you and your family exchange gifts. But there\u2019s a twist, there\u2019s a book included in the present! The presents are opened after dinner and dessert. With a new book in hand, the next thing to do is to read it at your favorite cozy reading spot. Of course, with a cup of hot cocoa nearby to keep you warm\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jolabokaflod<\/em> is great for both kids and parents alike. It helps parents share their passion for reading. And it helps kids improve their reading comprehension, imagination, creativity, vocabulary, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip<\/strong>: If you want something to munch on while reading, check out our recipe for sugar-free chocolate chip cookies<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This might be one of the most unusual holiday traditions out there, but hiding brooms on Christmas Eve really is a thing in Norway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Legend has it that witches come out on Christmas Eve looking for a ride. But they don\u2019t want cars, bikes, or sleds. Nope, these witches are apparently old-school and would prefer riding brooms to wherever their destination is. So, what do Norwegians do? They need to hide their brooms, of course!<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, if you\u2019ve got brooms lying around, you and your family can start participating in this Norwegian tradition right away. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fun fact: Another of Norway\u2019s holiday traditions (which they share with their neighbor, Finland) is hiding an almond in their Christmas dinner porridge. The person who finds the almond wins a prize! <\/p>\n\n\n\n This Japanese holiday tradition certainly won\u2019t break the bank. Ordering Kentucky Fried Chicken for Christmas dinner is a big hit in Japan. It all started thanks to the brand\u2019s hugely successful \u201cKentucky for Christmas\u201d marketing campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n KFC Christmas dinners are so popular that people reserve their party buckets well ahead of time. Otherwise, they may wait in line for hours to get their hands on that bucket of finger-lickin\u2019 goodness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Fortunately, long queues may not be a problem in your local KFC. But better not take that chance \u2013 order your chicken buckets early if you want to try this tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tip<\/strong>: If someone in your family\u2019s not a fan of KFC, you can try making our oven-fried sriracha buffalo wings recipe<\/a><\/strong> instead. It won\u2019t have KFC\u2019s 11 herbs and spices, but it\u2019s delicious, low-carb, and easy to make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To have an authentic Polish experience, you will need to get your hands on oplatek<\/em>, a rectangular and very thin sheet of unleavened wafer embossed with Christmas-themed images. Fortunately, you don\u2019t need to send someone to Poland to buy them; they\u2019re available on Amazon!<\/p>\n\n\n\n During Christmas Eve dinner (or wigilia<\/em> as it\u2019s known in Polish), the whole family gathers around the table. The head of the household breaks the oplatek<\/em> wafer and takes a piece, then passes it to the next family member who also breaks a small piece off. This goes on until everyone gets their share of the wafer. Christmas greetings, wishes, hugs, and kisses are exchanged while the oplatek<\/em> is being passed around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fun fact: Sharing oplatek<\/em> is such an inclusive tradition that giving a piece to pets and farm animals is customary, too!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want your family to start partaking in this holiday tradition, it\u2019s pretty easy. Just light a tall, red candle and place it by the window on Christmas Eve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The reason behind this tradition is really interesting. So, according to legend<\/a>, Irish Catholics started putting a candle by their windows to signify to priests that it was a Catholic home. It was a silent invitation to enter and join the family for prayer. They did this to evade the English authorities, who strictly enforced the anti-Catholic Penal Laws<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, the candle symbolizes welcome and friendship to anyone who wishes to visit the home. It\u2019s also a silent prayer for family and friends who cannot make it home for Christmas. Putting a candle by the window signifies ‘connection and remembering’ to many Irish families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s uncommon for those in the Northern Hemisphere to have an outdoor barbecue for Christmas because it\u2019s wintertime. But it\u2019s totally doable for those in the Southern Hemisphere!<\/p>\n\n\n\n If it\u2019s too cold outside, you can adapt a Kiwi-style Christmas tradition by having an indoor picnic. Here\u2019s one way to do it:<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can set up blankets and cushions in the living room (feel free to decorate it however you like). For instance, you can use low-hanging soft lights for cozy vibes or use ultra-bright lights to imitate the summer sun.<\/p>\n\n\n\nNorway\u2019s Broom Hiding Tradition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Japan\u2019s KFC Christmas Dinner<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Poland\u2019s Oplatek (Christmas Wafer)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIreland\u2019s Candle Tradition<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
New Zealand\u2019s Summer-y Christmas<\/h2>\n\n\n\n