Christmas 2024: Interesting Christmas customs for luck and love
Christmas 2024 is not only an occasion to gather with family but also a time to practice unique customs, bringing hope for a new year full of luck and happiness. Let's explore interesting Christmas customs around the world!
1. Plant cherry blossom branches to welcome good luck
In Austria, on St. Barbara’s Day (December 4), people traditionally put a cherry blossom branch in a vase of water in their homes. They believe that if the branch blooms before Christmas Eve, it is a sign that the new year will bring happiness and even a happy marriage.
2. Place a dining chair for the deceased
The Portuguese have a special custom on Christmas morning: leaving an extra chair at the dinner table in memory of a deceased loved one. This act is considered a blessing from the deceased's soul, bringing good luck in the new year.
3. Fortune telling through the game with the rooster
In Belarus, young girls gather on Christmas Eve and perform a special ritual. They place a handful of corn in front of them and release a rooster. Whoever gets the corn first will get married in the coming year.
4. Kissing under the mistletoe – Symbol of love
This romantic custom originated in England in the 18th century. Kissing under the mistletoe not only symbolizes good luck but also symbolizes love and good health in the new year. Today, this custom has become popular all over the world.
5. Pour hot tin to predict the future
In Finland, people pour hot tin into a bucket of cold water to predict fortunes. If the resulting shape is a heart or circle, it is a sign of happiness and love in the new year.
6. Find the almonds in the rice pudding
The Swedes have a traditional pudding called Ris à la Malta, in which an almond is hidden inside, and whoever gets the part containing the almond will have the chance to get married in the new year.
7. Wear colorful underwear for good luck
In Italy, people have a habit of wearing brightly colored underwear on Christmas Eve. This custom is gender-neutral and is believed to bring good luck in the new year.
8. Stuffing grass in shoes under the Christmas tree
In Haiti, children fill their shoes with grass and place them under the Christmas tree, believing that Santa Claus will replace the grass with surprise gifts.
9. A good husband on Christmas Eve
In Greenland, women are traditionally responsible for household chores. However, on Christmas Eve, husbands take over the duties of their wives as a show of love and gratitude.
10. Hide straw under the tablecloth
It is a Polish custom to hide straw under the tablecloth at Christmas dinner, symbolizing the birth of Jesus. Guests pull out a straw to predict love: green straws signal good luck in the new year, while yellow straws can signal emotional challenges.
11. Burning twigs in a campfire
In Thessaly, Greece, boys and girls put cedar or cherry branches on a fire to see which one burns faster. The winner will have a new year filled with luck and happiness.