There are only few days left before Christmas, and everyone is excited especially kids. In fact, some are not yet done doing their gift list, and we expect to see last-minute shopping to those who did not have the time to do it. Whether you are a Christian follower or believer, people from different race, country, and religion, people take time to give way to this once a year event. It does not matter if you are religiously celebrating it, but the fact that everyone is being united amidst differences in some aspect, nonetheless, it’s the spirit of it that connects us to our loved ones, friends, and even with those people that we have challenged dealing with. What really makes this day not just special, but exceptional are the traditions or customs that people are doing from different parts of the world. These have been passed on from one generation to another. However, there are unique, yet very unusual ones that we don’t normally see or hear. Let’s get down to these top 10 weirdest Christmas traditions, and know the details when each started, and why they are categorized as bizarre.

10. KFC Months

This is the original food outlet in the world that introduced crispy fried chicken, and it becomes everyone’s favorite. Would you believe that there is a loyal group of customers and country that order in a month or two prior to Christmas festivity the delightful chicken meals from KFC. Yes, you can only find it in Japan and the volume of order double or exceed on the 24^th of December. Make sure if you will visit the country, that it’s not Christmas Season, otherwise, you would experience these crazy deals that citizens in Japan have been doing for the past years. Loyalty award goes to them because of their patronage to the food.

9. Roller Skates in the Morning

Citizens in Venezuela especially in Caracas city celebrates Christmas day differently. They will wake-up early morning of Christmas, and they will wear their pair of roller skates. It has been their tradition whenever that day comes that they will gather as one and head to attend the Morning Mass. Of course, this is the only transport that they are going to use along with kids. In fact, it’s a wonderful to behold people seeing them dressed with their favorite roller skates along with their family members and friends on the road as if there is a racing contest happening in the city.

8. Father Frost

People in Slovenia and Russia have their yearly Father Frost that looks like the legendary symbol and figure of Christmas, Santa Claus. The difference is it’s not really the adorable Santa that you know the plays discreet in giving gifts to people, but he show himself to people especially to kids. He delivers gifts first hand. He is better known as Ded Moroz, wherein the word “ded” actually refers to grandfather. Of course, he has boots, white beard, and coat that actually resemble your favorite Santa. It is a popular character that you can see in parties in the office, schools, and establishments in Russia, and Slovenia.

7. A Boot for Single Women

You might laugh it off, but those women from Czechoslovakia who remained single before the closing of the month of December practice this weird Christmas tradition to wear their pair of boots. Once they put it on, they would have to go at the back of their door, and throw a piece of boot over their shoulder. The funny thing about this according to them that it would tell any woman if she is going to marry by next year, or would remain single for that whole new year. It’s determine as to how a boot falls, if its toe falls towards the door, that woman will marry by next year, but if its heels, they have to watch to watch the Bridgette Jones movie.

6.  Hide Your Broom

Now, let’s go to Norway. They have this belief that whenever Christmas Eve is fast approaching witches and evil spirits are also on their way to destroy your happiness and life. The only way to be prepared on that so called curse is to hide any broom that you have at home before sleeping, otherwise, you will not be safe after December 25 rings it bell for celebration. It is a good luck sign for them that any misfortunes will not happen the following year.

5. Santa’s Evil Twin

If we have Father Frost in Russia and Slovenia that acts as their Santa during Christmas Season, we also have Santa’s Evil twin, who is better known as Krampus Night in Austria. If Santa gives good gifts or rewards to children, he plays the opposite because he gives punishment to kids who have been naughty the whole year. You would see men dress up in the creepiest devil-like costumes with their switches and sticks they would haunt for children who became hard-headed that year. This character actually originates in Bavaria, Hungary, and Slovenia. However, it became famous in Austria whenever Christmas season comes. So, children start behaving even if you are not living near the borders of Austria because every action has consequences whether it’s good or bad.

4. La Befana

Christmas in Italy will never be complete without the La Befana tradition that has been passed on from generation to generations. If we have the legendary wise men in the Christian world that is bible-based story of the life of Jesus Christ, the focus of this practice is kind of opposite. If there are 3 wise men who gave good gifts to him, we have La Befana who is a witch who rides in her broomstick that has gifts to give to good and bad children. For children who have been kind the whole year, they would receive sweets and toys in their stockings, and coal for mischievous kids. According to hearsays, this tradition was traced back to the time when these wise men were looking for direction going to the place where Jesus Christ was born. On their way to the place, they met this old woman who helped them. She wanted to offer gifts as well, but she was lost on her way, and none could tell what happened to her. It’s up to you if you’ll believe it or not.

3. Feeding of Dead People

In Portugal, people do not forget their loved ones who already passed away during their feasts, wherein they gather together to share the food that they have prepared for Christmas. Along with it, they are giving space or another dining table for those loved ones who died already, so they can keep good fortune and blessings in their homes. In fact, some of them would even put some bread crumbs on hearth.

2. Hiding of Spider Web and Artificial Spider

This tradition is being done religiously in Ukraine that actually derived from an old story of a woman who was very poor, who cannot afford to buy a decent Christmas tree at home. One day, when she woke-up she discovered a sparkling web made by Spider that has served her Christmas tree. The tradition is to hide artificial spider and web, and throw them on that would serve as good fortune to the family who is living in the house.

1. Caga Tio 

This is the weirdest Christmas culture in the world that happens yearly in Barcelona. In fact, it is part of the Catalan Christmas traditions, and the most popular of which is the Caga Tio, which is better known as the pooing log or Tio de Nadal. You’ll see various wooden logs that measure 30 cm long that actually stand using two legs that have smiling face and a red hat. Children actually celebrates the Feast of the Immaculate Concepction that falls every 8^th of December, wherein they are starting gathering log, and keeping it warm until  Christmas Eve. When the night before Christmas arrives, children will gather together and sing Caga Tio while hitting the log using a stick for it to poo, and this poo represents the gifts that would be given to someone who would reach the blanket.