It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Spirits are bright, lights are everywhere, and the sand dunes almost look like snow! Christmas is a time for love, family, tradition, and, typically, lots of traveling. While many are unable to be with their loved ones this year, there’s still those beloved family traditions you can enjoy from home. If you still want a taste of what the rest of the world is doing this time of year, the experts at Have Travel Memories, a Destin travel agency, have pulled together some of the most fun traditions from around the world that will either really boost your Christmas spirit or make you extra thankful for your grandmother’s fruitcake she insists on making every… single… year…
Now we all know the Colonel, Colonel Sanders that is. But in Japan, Colonel Sanders hold a special place in their heart. With the help of a clever marketing campaign that took advantage of the absence of Christmas festivities in Japan, KFC’s are now so packed on Christmas day that in order to enjoy their fried chicken, reservations must be made weeks in advance. Demand for KFC on Christmas is so high, an online ordering service has been created so Japanese families can enjoy a bucket of Kentucky’s best delivered right to their door. Merīkurisumasu!
Santa Claus, or St. Nicholas, is a Christmas staple here in America. Most of us are familiar with the “be good – get rewarded” customs of the holiday season. And while getting coal in your stocking for misbehaving may seem pretty bad, I’d say it’s a lot better than being thrown in a sack and dragged away, never to be seen again. In Austria, that’s exactly what was said to happen to naughty little boys and girls. The legend of Krampus has been around for ages, pre-dating Christianity even. Krampus is said to appear the night before the feast of St. Nicholas, December 5th, also known as Krampusnacht. This half-goat, half-beast creature with giant horns, fangs, and a pointy tongue split like a snake, would swat misbehaving children with a bundle of birch branches or even steal them away in a basket he carried on his back! Today, festivalgoers may encounter Krampus while enjoying the festivities, but don’t worry, this is all in good fun. In many Alpine towns, young men may dress as the beast during Krampuslauf, or “Krampus run,” for some light-hearted spooking. Frohe Weihnachten!
From KFC as Christmas dinner, demon-like beasts, and even a Christmas Eve midnight mass where you bring a live rooster instead of grandma’s fruitcake, the world is full of delightfully unique holiday traditions. If you’re interested in experiencing some fun and strange Christmas customs, book your holiday vacation now! It’s never too early to start planning!
Have Travel Memories 