5 Quirky Christmas Traditions

If you’re tired of the same old Christmas traditions—sparkly trees, saccharine carols, and endless fruitcake—then it’s time to shake things up. Why settle for ho-hum holiday cheer when the world is brimming with bizarre and wonderfully weird festive displays? From goats that beg to be set on fire to fried chicken feasts that put grandma’s roast to shame, these holiday spectacles will have you questioning everything you thought you knew about Christmas. Pack your bags (and maybe your sense of humor) - it’s going to get weird - these five displays are equal parts eccentric and unforgettable. Just don’t forget to bring your sense of humor and an open mind.

Topsy-Turvy Trees

For a dose of absurd whimsy, look no further than the upside-down Christmas tree displays that have become a sensation in certain corners of Europe and the United States. These inverted trees, often suspended from ceilings, challenge every notion of holiday decor. In Poland, the tradition has historical roots, symbolizing the Holy Trinity, but in modern homes and department stores, it’s all about shock value and space-saving practicality. “I remember walking into a store and seeing a Christmas tree hanging above me,” says Margot. “It felt like I’d stepped into an alternate universe!” Whether you love it or hate it, it’s a sure conversation starter.

Naughty nativities

In the charming Catalan region of Spain, the Christmas season takes a surprisingly cheeky turn with its beloved Caganer. This small figurine, hidden among the otherwise serene nativity scenes, is depicted with its pants around its ankles, mid-squat. Yes, you read that right—this figure is, quite literally, shitting on Christmas! Far from being disrespectful though, the Caganer (‘the Pooper’) is seen as a symbol of fertility and good fortune, ensuring bountiful harvests for the year ahead. As odd as it may seem, you can now find Caganers resembling everyone from R2D2 to Boris Johnson, dropping their pants in (ir)reverence.

Setting Christmas Alight

For a display that takes the idea of “larger than life” to heart, head to the small town of Gävle, Sweden. Every December, the town erects a 43-foot-tall straw goat - the Gävle Goat - in homage to an ancient Nordic Yule tradition. Sounds innocent enough, right? Except for one thing: the goat is a notorious arson magnet. Locals and visitors alike have turned torching this festive behemoth into a sport of sorts, with dozens of attempts (and many successes) recorded since its inception in 1966. “It’s like a battle between tradition and rebellion,” says Ingrid, a Gävle resident. “You never know if the goat will survive the season.” Generally it doesn’t and its fiery fate has become a global spectacle.

Finger-Lickin Weird

In Japan, Christmas isn’t traditionally celebrated, but leave it to marketing ingenuity to create a unique tradition: the KFC Christmas feast. Yes, fried chicken is the meal of choice for millions of Japanese families on Christmas Eve, thanks to a 1974 campaign dubbed “Kentucky for Christmas.” Stores take on an almost cult-like atmosphere, with Colonel Sanders statues dressed as Santa Claus and elaborate chicken buckets that might just outshine your mom’s best turkey. “It’s bizarre, but it works,” says Akiko, a Tokyo local. “We even pre-order our chicken because the lines are insane.” If you’re craving a dose of commercial quirkiness with your holiday, this finger-lickin’ tradition is the way to go.

Lighting it up

Finally, in the Philippines, the town of San Fernando earns its nickname as the “Christmas Capital of the Philippines” with its Giant Lantern Festival. But these aren’t your average glowing decorations—each lantern can reach up to 20 feet in diameter and features thousands of spinning, multi-colored lights choreographed to music. The effect is hypnotic, almost psychedelic, and utterly mesmerizing. “It’s like Christmas on steroids,” says Bella, a festival regular. “You’ll never look at a regular string of lights the same way again.” The competition among lantern makers is fierce, with months of preparation culminating in a dazzling display of craftsmanship and creativity.

So, this year, skip the cookie-cutter displays and embrace the strange, naughty, and downright surreal side of Christmas. Whether it’s a defiant goat, a bathroom-break nativity, or fried chicken that warms your heart, these quirky traditions remind us that the holiday spirit can take many unexpected forms—and that’s what makes it magical.