Christmas time – it’s not all about the Queen’s Speech and brussels sprouts! You probably think you know everything there is to know about Christmas but think again! We’ve put together a list of 10 of the most surprising and remarkable Christmas facts and traditions we could find from around the world.
So, why not make a cup of tea, heat up a mince pie and take a look!
Kentucky Fried Chicken…or as they call it in Japan - Kentucky For Christmas!
Forget turkey, it’s all about KFC at Christmas time in Japan! Christmas isn’t generally celebrated in Japan, so why the KFC? Well, in 1974 the company launched a new ad campaign in Japan based around the Western tradition of a Christmas turkey for lunch. Expats living in Japan at the time couldn’t find turkey anywhere, so they succumbed to the marketing and opted for KFC instead! This really took off and now expats and Japanese alike head to KFC on Christmas day and have a jolly old time. With wait times sometimes as long as 2 hours!
Dangerous decorations!
Believe it or not, 15,000 Americans end up in hospital after decking the halls! Be careful out there…
The biggest Secret Santa ever!
And you thought your work Secret Santa was difficult to arrange…Boots, the British pharmaceutical shop, miraculously set up a Secret Santa with over 1,270 staff members!
Roller-skating in Venezuela!
Surely, everything in life is improved with the addition of roller-skates and Christmas should be no exception! In Caracas, people roller-skate to Church on Christmas Eve morning. I mean, why not?
A Norwegian gift
Every year, the people of Norway give the people of London the most Christmassy Christmas present possible – a huuuuuuuge Christmas tree! They’ve done so since 1947 to thank the UK for their support during WW2. Thanks, Norway! Or should we say ‘takk’!
How Coca Cola changed the face of Christmas
Another story of the power of advertising – before Coca Cola’s ad campaign depicting Father Christmas in a red and white costume, he did in fact, always wear green and white! He was also pretty grumpy looking too, not at all the jolly image Coca Cola created, so maybe it was for the best!
The most expensive Christmas tree in the world ever!
Legend has it that a British man, Yves Piaget, once spent £10 million on his tree and all the decorations!
Carp it is!
Hold the turkey, hold the KFC, get me a carp this Christmas and put it in the bath! Traditionally, people in Eastern Europe keep a live carp in their bath to have for their Christmas feast on December 24th.
Xmas is nothing new
You might assume that the abbreviation ‘Xmas’ came about around the same time as ‘LOL’…it actually dates back to the 1500s! The word ‘Christianity’ was spelled Xianity as far back as 1100 and Christmas was spelled Xtemmas.
Last Christmas I gave you my heart…☹
You know what they say, save the saddest fact till last! Despite it being the ‘season to be jolly’, it’s been discovered that Christmas is the second most common time for couples to split. I guess George Michael wasn’t the only one!
So, there you go! We hope at least a couple of these raised some eyebrows and elicited some huh! and ha! sounds. All that’s left to say is Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel, Frohe Weinachten, Feliz Navidad, Buon Natale, Feliz Natal, Vrolijk kerstfeest, Crăciun fericit, Wesołych świąt Bożego Narodzenia, God Jul, Veselé Vánoce…you get the picture!
About the author:
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Anna is a CELTA and Trinity Dip-TESOL qualified English language teacher, with a background in Academic Management. |
Professional Language Solutions has over 30 years’ experience of organising tailored language courses for our clients in over 50 different languages. Start your language learning journey and get in touch.
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/christmas-ideas/g2972/surprising-christmas-facts/?slide=23
https://www.rd.com/culture/surprising-christmas-trivia/
https://www.momondo.co.uk/discover/article/christmas-traditions-around-the-world