‘Tis the season
© iStock

‘Tis the Season for Cultural Traditions

The holiday season is here, and thoughts turn to twinkling lights, frenetic shopping, food traditions, celebrations with family and friends, decorated trees, wreaths and menorahs, holiday songs, festive food, stockings hung by the chimney with care, animated store windows, seasonal food treats, red-nosed reindeer, roasted chestnuts, peace on earth, and . . . did I mention food?

There are many cultural traditions associated with the holidays around the world, and, in many cases, holiday food traditions play a major role. From roasted turkey to mince pies to babka and bibingka, every country is different.

OIC Moments takes you on a whirlwind tour of some of the most interesting customs.

A holiday sign: roasted chestnuts
© Meredith Mullins

Iceland: Naughty or Nice

Christmas is called Jól in Iceland. Let’s start with customs that separate the “naughties” from the “nices.”

In Iceland, if you’ve been naughty, you get a rotten potato in your shoe, delivered by one of the Yule Lads—magical people who climb through windows to leave a treat or a potato. The Yule Lads have names like Pot Licker, Door Slammer, Sausage Snatcher, and Window Peeper.

It’s true that potatoes are a healthy food item, but finding one in your shoe isn’t exactly the kind of Christmas food tradition you might be wishing for. The potatoes could, however, go well with the roast lamb of the Icelandic Christmas dinner.

Not another potato year!
© Meredith Mullins

Japan: Nothing like a Bucket of KFC Fried Chicken

In Japan, Christmas is known more as a time to spread happiness than a religious celebration. Japanese Christmas was in search of a tradition when Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) swooped in with the idea of a Christmas chicken bucket.

The idea has been popular since the 1970s, and now Japanese families have to reserve months in advance, just to be sure the festive red and white bucket will be on the menu. The Christmas bucket also includes a Christmas cake (celebrated by the shortcake emoji). 🍰🍰🍰

Who would have thought that KFC would become a Japanese cultural tradition?
© Meredith Mullins

Israel: Hanukkah Latkes

Since the middle ages, these delicious fried potato pancakes have been a tradition for Hanukkah (the Festival of Lights). The fact that they’re cooked in oil recognizes the miracle of the Temple of Jerusulam Menorah burning for eight days with only a one-day supply of oil.

Yum . . . Latkes. Good at any time of year, but especially at Hanukkah.
© Meredith Mullins

Italy: The Feast of the Seven Fishes

The Feast of the Seven Fishes for the Christmas Eve meal doesn’t necessarily mean to go and buy seven fishes.

The more popular interpretation is to prepare seven different fish dishes, as a tribute to the seven sacraments in Catholicism or the seven days of creation. Common fish dishes are baccala (salted cod), eel, clams, sardines, or calamari.

When people return from Mass, they might have a slice of Italian Christmas Cake called panettone and a cup of hot chocolate.

The Feast of the Seven Fishes
© Meredith Mullins

Mexico and Central America: Tamales

Every family has their own “secret” recipe for holiday tamales. The basics include corn dough, wrapped in a banana leaf or corn husk and then steamed. A tamale can be stuffed with beef, chicken, or pork, along with garlic, onion, potatoes, or raisins.

Tamales are shared throughout the holiday season (December 12 through January 6) and are included in the main Christmas meal on December 24. This meal also includes pozole (a thick soup with hominy, chicken or pork, and chilies) and roast turkey or pork.

Tamales forever
© Roberta J. Cobley

France: Bûche de Noël

In France, where gastronomy is an art form, several holiday traditions are present. Stands of fresh oysters appear, and fois gras takes center stage.

However, the sponge cake that looks like a Yule Log is a key focus. In earlier times, families had a Christmas log, which they sprinkled with wine, and then burned on Christmas Eve (often thought to cleanse the air of the previous year’s events).

Now, cake enters the picture. The Bûche de Noël is a French mainstay, especially after Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

Bûche de Noël
© etorres69/iStock

Philippines: A Bibingka Breakfast

The holiday season in the Phillippines is one of the longest, often beginning with Christmas carols starting in September and festivities lasting into January’s Epiphany.

Noche Buena (the name for Christmas dinner) is celebrated after families attend the Mass of the Rooster. The feasting day begins with Bibingka, a traditional breakfast pastry consisting of coconut milk and rice flour, baked in a pot lined with banana leaves. Bibingka is topped with coconut, white cheese, or egg.

The feast continues into the day with roasted pig, spring rolls, ham, noodles, rice, and fresh fruit.

Bibingka from the Philippines
© bugking88/iStock

Romania: Cabbage Rolls

The Romanian holiday dish Sarmale dates back to the Ottoman Empire. The cabbage rolls are stuffed with beef, pork, onion, and rice and then boiled in tomato sauce.

For the Christmas dinner, Sarmale are served with roast pork chops, ciorba de perisoare (a slightly sour vegetable soup with pork meatballs), and cozonac (a rich fruit bread).

Romanian Sarmale
© vkuslandia/iStock

England: Mince Pie

The Christmas meal in England is eaten at lunch or early afternoon on Christmas Day—roast turkey, roast beef, or Christmas goose is the main feature, with all the trimmings.

Dessert is Christmas pudding or mince pies. The exact ingredients of mince pie can vary, but the tradition in England dates back to the 13^thcentury. The pies contain dried fruit, suet, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg . . . plus a touch of rum or brandy.

A British favorite: mince pies
© Meredith Mullins

Poland: Babka

Christmas Eve (known as Wigilia) is traditionally a day of fasting in Poland. The main Christmas meal is eaten in the evening after the first star is seen in the sky. Many families set an extra place for a lone wanderer who might happen to pass through during dinner.

The day-long fast is often ended by “breaking bread”—specifically babka, a sweet and spongy yeast bread. Babka is eaten throughout all holiday seasons in Poland.

Breaking the fast with Babka
© A.Lein/iStock

China: An Apple A Day …

Christmas is not a major celebration day in China, but people do like to give the gift of a cellophane-wrapped apple.

The odd tradition started perhaps because, in Mandarin Chinese, the word for apple (ping’anguo) sounds like the words for Christmas Eve, or “peaceful night” (ping’an ye).

As this tradition grows, the apple packaging gets more creative, with heart-shaped boxes or tins that also include chocolates and flowers, much like a Valentine’s Day celebration.

An apple gift for a peaceful night
© Meredith Mullins

Oh I See: Let’s Celebrate the Holidays (and Food!) in Many Different Ways

No matter what the cultural traditions of your country—or whatever country you’re spending the holidays in—the spirit rests in sharing moments with family and friends. And, of course, celebrating good holiday food.

Happy Holidays!

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