Christmas and New Year’s Eve traditions across Europe
Written by Marina Marcout
Translation: S. Castlemilk
Date: 13/12/2023
In spite of our geographical proximity, in Europe we don’t celebrate the end-of-year festivities the same way! As the Holidays are just around the corner, we have prepared a little quiz to test and complete your knowledge on Christmas and New Year’s traditions in several European countries.
Unusual recipes, surprising games, local sayings, folk songs, legendary creatures, anecdotes… You will discover rituals from other lands and who knows? You might even feel like sharing them with your loved ones!
So how are the Holidays celebrated in other European countries? Let’s find out!
True or False? In Finland, Santa Claus is named after an animal
True.
Joulupukki, means Christmas billy goat in Finnish! The traditional Christmas figure comes from an ancient pagan feast called Yule which celebrates the winter solstice. In Scandinavian folklore, a man disguised as a billy goat -probably a reference to the creatures drawing Thor’s chariot- delivers gifts in each home. .
True or False? In Iceland, Santa Claus delivers gifts every day
True and false!
It isn’t Santa per se but 13 characters from Icelandic legends. Every night from December 12th to 24th, one of them delivers a small gift in the shoes the children leave out on the window sill.
But beware! Stekkjastaur, Stúfur or Gáttaþefur, to name a few, do not deliver sweet presents so easily. Only well-behaved children deserve this special treat. Those who have been naughty risk finding an old potato or a rotten carrot instead!
True or False? In Ukraine, spiders are invited to the party!
True.
Once upon a time, a widow lived alone with her sons. She was too poor to prepare a special Christmas meal or even presents. One Christmas Eve, a small tree suddenly grew in their garden. But the family couldn’t afford to decorate it which made the children very sad. Moved by their situation, a few spiders decided to draw their web during the night and create beautiful ornaments to dress up the tree. The next morning, the family discovered the King of the forest covered in gold and silver threads. From then on, they were never in need again. Today Ukrainians still decorate their tree and home with fake spider webs to honour the little 8 legged fairies.
True or False? In French Provence, 12 Christmas desserts are prepared to celebrate the Holiday festivities
False.
13 not 12 sweet treats are served according to the traditions of the French region; a Christian reference to the number of guests who attended the Last Supper.
Depending on the city or village, the deserts can differ but you can expect the four mendiants (nuts, raisins, almonds and figs), marzipan stuffed dates, white or black nougat. On top of that, you can add candied seasonal fruits, orange blossom cakes or delicious Calissons d’Aix…
True or False? The famous Silent Night was composed in Austria by Mozart
True and false!
While Heilige Nacht, Stille Nacht -the original title- was indeed imagined in Austria not far from Salzburg, Mozart’s birthplace, however the great composer is not its creator. We owe this song, translated in over 330 languages, to Franz Xaver Gruber. In 1818, the teacher and organ player put to music a poem written two years earlier by Joseph Möhr, the priest of the small village of Oberndorf.
True or False? In the UK, a stale cake is served for Christmas dessert
True.
A quasi-sacred English tradition, the famous Christmas pudding is prepared on the last Sunday before Advent i.e. 5 weeks before it is served.
This traditional recipe dates back to the Middle-Ages and includes 13 ingredients, an interesting combination for the boldest palates: dry fruits, candied fruits, nuts, almonds, different spices, treacle, clove, stale bread, brandy … And don’t forget suet, the indispensable animal fat which will give your pudding the best texture!
Everyone takes their turn to stir the dough counter clockwise while making a wish. Before cooking it (steam or bain-marie), tradition dictates to put a coin inside the pudding bringing good luck to the one who finds it…or killing them if they accidentally swallow it!
The round cake is then flambeed with cognac and ornamented with a holly leaf. It is served on Christmas day… or during the following year!
True or false? In Greece, they decorate miniature Parthenons to celebrate the Holidays
False.
In Greece, neither the Parthenon nor the fir tree is the centre of attention during this special time of the year which usually lasts from around December 6 to January 6. As a coastal country, boats naturally take centre stage for a month.
In harbours, ships are covered with Christmas lights, decorated model vessels are placed in each home and large size replicas of sail boats are installed on village squares to honour St Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors. As for children, they built small wooden or paper barges to thank sailors and fishermen while waiting patiently for Agios Vasilios, (Saint Basil), the Greek Santa.
True or False? In Italy, don’t walk under open windows on New Year’s Eve
True.
Spring cleaning comes early in Italy! To welcome a new year and a promising future, tradition requires that you get rid of the past. To do so, at midnight, Italians throw their old pots, dishes and even the clothes they don’t want out the window. A quick and festive way to clear space but a dangerous habit for passers-by!
True or False? Norwegians put a coin in their Christmas dessert
False.
The British are the ones who follow this tradition with their (in)famous Christmas pudding. In Norway, to celebrate Nyttarsbukk' (or New Year), they prepare rice pudding in which an almond is hidden before the dessert is served in individual bowls. The lucky one who finds the almond in their serving receives a little surprise and is sure to spend a joyful year.
True or False? In Spain, don’t forget your fruit if you want your new year to be happy
True.
If you are celebrating the New Year festivities in Spain, remember to buy enough grapes for all your guests. On the Noche Vieja (the old night) everyone must eat a raisin at each stroke of midnight. At home or on the main town or village square, all must complete this delicate challenge before shouting “¡Feliz Año Nuevo!”
A local tip: not as easy as it sounds to swallow 12 lucky raisins in 12 seconds! The smart ones prepare them in advance, removing the seeds and skin beforehand to make the task easier when the moment comes!
True or False? In Denmark, broken dishes mean good luck
True.
All year long, the Danes put aside their old dishes, broken bowls or chipped cups. Why you ask? To throw them against the doors of their neighbours, their friends or any loved one on New Year’s Eve: the higher the pile of broken dishes, the luckier the year. A comforting thought while sweeping the remains the next morning…
True of False? In Germany, you wish your loved ones “Happy Sliding” for the New Year
True.
On New Year’s Eve, to find out what the future year holds, German people have a surprising tradition: Bleigießen or lead pouring. A very small quantity of melted lead –which has been replaced by wax for sanitary reasons - is poured in a bowl of cold water. The shapes formed are then interpreted to predict the year to come. An anchor shape means you will receive unexpected help, an axe announces possible romantic disappointment!
You want to try this unusual custom? You can buy DIY kits which contain a guide on how to interpret the different shapes.
At midnight you can wish everyone a “Guten Rutsch” meaning “Happy sliding!” not on ice but into the New year!
True or False? In Scotland, meeting a red-haired man at midnight brings good luck.
False.
According to the “first footing” tradition, a BLACK-haired man must be the first to enter your home at midnight, bringing good luck for the entire year to come. But that’s not all! He must also bring a symbolic gift: a piece of coal, some shortbread, salt, a black bread roll or a small glass of whisky… Scottish of course!
True or False: in the Netherlands, you need to go to a sauna to wash off the year gone by
False.
Quite the opposite actually! On January 1st, the less timorous (several hundred Dutch!) meet for the Nieuwjaarsduik ritual, the New Year dive. Nothing like bathing in freezing water to start the New Year afresh! It is on Scheveningen beach, by the North Sea, that the largest gathering of swimmers takes place. All brave participants wearing nothing but a bathing suit and… a woolly hat!
Best wishes from the AXA team!
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