As Christmas 2015 approaches, people are getting more into the mood of the season by shopping for gifts, preparing for Christmas dinner and spending more time with family and friends. However, many are not aware that there are actually several strange and even scary Christmas traditions around the globe that have been going on for decades.
1. Krampus
Krampus is a classic Austrian Christmas monster. PerezHilton revealed that the evil beast exacts revenge on children who are on Santa Claus’s naughty list. The Krampus has two long horns on its head, prickly ears, big wide eyes and a long tongue, a dark hairy body and a tail. Contrary to Saint Nicholas who rewards children with gifts on Christmas Day, Krampus punishes the little ones to teach them never to misbehave again.
2. Deep-fried caterpillars
The Standard revealed that in South Africa, the locals prepare caterpillars from the Emperor moth. The squirmy creatures are deep fried and eaten by family and friends at the table on Christmas Day.
3. KFC
In Japan, the locals need to have fried chicken from the famous food chain on Christmas Day. A marketing campaign was launched in the 1970s for KFC, and it has since become a holiday tradition to order from the fast food restaurant on December 25.
4. Roller-skating to church
In Caracas, Venezuela, people attend the early morning mass by skating to churches. On Christmas Day, several accesses for vehicles are closed and the streets are filled with skaters. Children append long strings to their big toes and then hang the string out of their bedroom windows. The skaters below will tug at the strings to wake the children up as they pass by, Mashable wrote.
5. A giant monster cat
In Iceland, people believe that a big cat, called Jolakotturinn, roams around the country to eat people who did not get clothes as gifts. The legend teaches children how perseverance and huge efforts can afford them new clothes to be protected from the demon cat.
6. An old witch
In Italy, Italian kids are looking out for Befana, who is an old witch who goes around riding her broom to deliver gifts. Children who have been good during the year will have their stockings filled with toys, candy and other treats, whereas those who have been bad will receive coal, garlic or onions. Befana is also said to use her broom to clean and arrange homes before leaving. Parents usually leave a glass of wine for the witch to say thanks, based on the same Standard report.
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