Christmas traditions around the world, from spider trees to a festive fish dinner
Families around the world all have their own Christmas customs, some of which might strike us as weird, bizarre, or just plain ridiculous! Here's our roundup of the best
No matter where you are on the planet today, we've got Christmas traditions expert James Cooper to tell you how countries around the world are getting their Christmas kicks (
Image: Getty Images)
Christmas wouldn't be the same without the Christmas tree, the turkey and, of course, the mince pies.
But we Brits aren't the only ones on the planet with our festive traditions that make Christmas special.
Families around the world all have their own Christmas customs, some of which might strike us as weird, bizarre, or just plain ridiculous.
But no matter where you are on the planet today, we've got Christmas traditions expert James Cooper to tell you how countries around the world have fun at Christmas.
James, 43, holiday fanatic from Somerset, admits he has over 400 Christmas music albums and his site receives over 20 MILLION views each year.
James says, "Christmas traditions give us a grounding, they give us a sense of the things we've shared together, a sense of family, which is really important.
"And with people from all over the world coming to the UK, we've also imported quite a bit of tradition.
"In fact, most of what we consider our festive traditions really come from Germany and France - like the Christmas tree."
The great Christmas year in this country was 1843 - it was:
■ When the first Christmas card was sent.
■ When author Charles Dickens' novel A Christmas Carol was published.
■ When Christmas trees started growing in our homes.
■ And when Christmas crackers were invented.
The cracker is James' favorite British Christmas tradition. He explains, “I love crackers because they're so weird. Why would you have something explosive next to your Christmas dinner with a hat, a toy, and a bad joke in it?
"The crackers were created by Victorian candy merchant Tom Smith. He had been to France and Belgium and seen their really fancy wrapped candies.
"Legend has it that he sat near the
Families around the world all have their own Christmas customs, some of which might strike us as weird, bizarre, or just plain ridiculous! Here's our roundup of the best
No matter where you are on the planet today, we've got Christmas traditions expert James Cooper to tell you how countries around the world are getting their Christmas kicks (
Image: Getty Images)
Christmas wouldn't be the same without the Christmas tree, the turkey and, of course, the mince pies.
But we Brits aren't the only ones on the planet with our festive traditions that make Christmas special.
Families around the world all have their own Christmas customs, some of which might strike us as weird, bizarre, or just plain ridiculous.
But no matter where you are on the planet today, we've got Christmas traditions expert James Cooper to tell you how countries around the world have fun at Christmas.
James, 43, holiday fanatic from Somerset, admits he has over 400 Christmas music albums and his site receives over 20 MILLION views each year.
James says, "Christmas traditions give us a grounding, they give us a sense of the things we've shared together, a sense of family, which is really important.
"And with people from all over the world coming to the UK, we've also imported quite a bit of tradition.
"In fact, most of what we consider our festive traditions really come from Germany and France - like the Christmas tree."
The great Christmas year in this country was 1843 - it was:
■ When the first Christmas card was sent.
■ When author Charles Dickens' novel A Christmas Carol was published.
■ When Christmas trees started growing in our homes.
■ And when Christmas crackers were invented.
The cracker is James' favorite British Christmas tradition. He explains, “I love crackers because they're so weird. Why would you have something explosive next to your Christmas dinner with a hat, a toy, and a bad joke in it?
"The crackers were created by Victorian candy merchant Tom Smith. He had been to France and Belgium and seen their really fancy wrapped candies.
"Legend has it that he sat near the
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