Kiwi Curated
Holiday Traditions Around the World
by Darren DunneTo most, Christmas dinner at KFC doesn’t sound particularly appealing, but it’s a holiday tradition dating back several generations in Japan. In this week’s blog, we’ve clad ourselves in the tackiest of festive sweaters to take a look at fascinating folklore and holiday traditions around the globe, as well as where to stay along the way.
Holiday Traditions Around the World
Where to stay: Fairmont Southampton
The search for a traditional Christmas tree can prove elusive if you’re resident on a tropical island, but Bermuda has come up with a way around the problem—importing them from Canada. Each December a cargo ship departs Halifax, Nova Scotia leaden down with piles of Christmas trees. This departure makes front page news in Bermuda as it’s a signal the festive season has begun. The arrival creates a buzz of activity, with trees making their way into Bermudan homes with surprising speed.
Holiday Traditions Around the World
Where to stay: Il Borro
In Italian folklore, the Befana (Christmas Witch) is an old woman who plays the role of Santa Claus to deliver gifts to children on Epiphany Eve, January 5th. During her visits she fills the shoes of well behaved children with candy and gifts, while the naughty ones get a lump of coal. Mindful of her manners, she will also sweep the floor of houses she visits, metaphorically sweeping away the problems of the previous year. If you find yourself in Italy this holiday season, make sure to leave out a glass of wine and some nibbles in case she visits.
Holiday Traditions Around the World
Where to stay: Cas Gasí
The Caganer (The Crapper) is a figurine caught in the act of defecation added to nativity scenes throughout Spain. He is depicted as a peasant, wearing a traditional Catalan red cap and his trousers down. The exact origins of the Caganer are unknown, but it’s a tradition that dates back over 200 years, spreading into Southern France and even parts of Italy. He is usually tucked away in the corner of the nativity scene, nowhere near the manger, and in recent years is often depicted as a popular celebrity. Donald Trump-styled Caganer figures have been flying off the shelves this holiday season.
Holiday Traditions Around the World
Where to stay: Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden
Immortalized in a 2005 Hollywood movie bearing his name, Krampus is a half-goat, half-demon with horns and fangs who punishes misbehaving children during the Christmas season. Widespread throughout the German-speaking world, Krampus has cast off the scary shackles of old, taking his place ironically on festive greeting cards called Krampuskarten. Widespread debate takes place each year in Austria regarding the suitability of Krampus for children, but the tradition endures and continues to grow in popularity.
Holiday Traditions Around the World
Where to stay: Conrad Tokyo
While Christmas tends not to be a huge deal in Japan—only one percent of the population are Christian—millions of Japanese make an annual pilgrimage to KFC to sample the fried chicken chain’s Christmas menu. The tradition began in 1974, when a group of foreigners couldn’t find turkey for a Christmas meal so settled for the next best thing—fried chicken. Since then, it’s ballooned in popularity so much that some people pre-order their Christmas meal two months in advance, and Japanese TV plays host to seasonal “Christmas = Kentucky” commercials each year.
Holiday Traditions Around the World
Where to stay: G&V Royal Mile Edinburgh
New Years Eve is celebrated worldwide, with fireworks displays lighting up skies from Sydney to San Antonio. The celebrations owe their origin to Scotland and the annual Hogmanay end of year party. Customs vary throughout Scotland, but they usually revolve around gift-giving and parties. Edinburgh’s lavish fireworks display inspired countless copycats, and the singing of Scottish poet Robert Burns’ Auld Lang Syne is another aspect that’s traveled abroad.
Holiday Traditions Around the World
Where to stay: Viceroy Central Park, New York
Depending on who you talk to, SantaCon is either a joyful, festive performance art, or a seasonal excuse for drunken shenanigans. This mass gathering of Santa Claus garbed revellers began in San Francisco in 1994, but the largest annual event now takes place in New York City, with an estimated 30,000 people. The New York Times describes the event as “a daylong bar crawl that begins in good cheer and, for many, inevitably ends in a blurry, booze-soaked haze.” Though controversy continues to swirl, the event will be back and as big as ever in 2016.
Where to stay: Fairmont Southampton
The search for a traditional Christmas tree can prove elusive if you’re resident on a tropical island, but Bermuda has come up with a way around the problem—importing them from Canada. Each December a cargo ship departs Halifax, Nova Scotia leaden down with piles of Christmas trees. This departure makes front page news in Bermuda as it’s a signal the festive season has begun. The arrival creates a buzz of activity, with trees making their way into Bermudan homes with surprising speed.
Where to stay: Il Borro
In Italian folklore, the Befana (Christmas Witch) is an old woman who plays the role of Santa Claus to deliver gifts to children on Epiphany Eve, January 5th. During her visits she fills the shoes of well behaved children with candy and gifts, while the naughty ones get a lump of coal. Mindful of her manners, she will also sweep the floor of houses she visits, metaphorically sweeping away the problems of the previous year. If you find yourself in Italy this holiday season, make sure to leave out a glass of wine and some nibbles in case she visits.
Where to stay: Cas Gasí
The Caganer (The Crapper) is a figurine caught in the act of defecation added to nativity scenes throughout Spain. He is depicted as a peasant, wearing a traditional Catalan red cap and his trousers down. The exact origins of the Caganer are unknown, but it’s a tradition that dates back over 200 years, spreading into Southern France and even parts of Italy. He is usually tucked away in the corner of the nativity scene, nowhere near the manger, and in recent years is often depicted as a popular celebrity. Donald Trump-styled Caganer figures have been flying off the shelves this holiday season.
Where to stay: Falkensteiner Schlosshotel Velden
Immortalized in a 2005 Hollywood movie bearing his name, Krampus is a half-goat, half-demon with horns and fangs who punishes misbehaving children during the Christmas season. Widespread throughout the German-speaking world, Krampus has cast off the scary shackles of old, taking his place ironically on festive greeting cards called Krampuskarten. Widespread debate takes place each year in Austria regarding the suitability of Krampus for children, but the tradition endures and continues to grow in popularity.
Where to stay: Conrad Tokyo
While Christmas tends not to be a huge deal in Japan—only one percent of the population are Christian—millions of Japanese make an annual pilgrimage to KFC to sample the fried chicken chain’s Christmas menu. The tradition began in 1974, when a group of foreigners couldn’t find turkey for a Christmas meal so settled for the next best thing—fried chicken. Since then, it’s ballooned in popularity so much that some people pre-order their Christmas meal two months in advance, and Japanese TV plays host to seasonal “Christmas = Kentucky” commercials each year.
Where to stay: G&V Royal Mile Edinburgh
New Years Eve is celebrated worldwide, with fireworks displays lighting up skies from Sydney to San Antonio. The celebrations owe their origin to Scotland and the annual Hogmanay end of year party. Customs vary throughout Scotland, but they usually revolve around gift-giving and parties. Edinburgh’s lavish fireworks display inspired countless copycats, and the singing of Scottish poet Robert Burns’ Auld Lang Syne is another aspect that’s traveled abroad.
Where to stay: Viceroy Central Park, New York
Depending on who you talk to, SantaCon is either a joyful, festive performance art, or a seasonal excuse for drunken shenanigans. This mass gathering of Santa Claus garbed revellers began in San Francisco in 1994, but the largest annual event now takes place in New York City, with an estimated 30,000 people. The New York Times describes the event as “a daylong bar crawl that begins in good cheer and, for many, inevitably ends in a blurry, booze-soaked haze.” Though controversy continues to swirl, the event will be back and as big as ever in 2016.