Although they share borders, European countries and regions take pride in their own specific Christmas traditions. From the pooping log in Spain to the golden pig from Czechia, here is a list of different holiday celebrations across Europe.
Spain
The Spanish holiday season starts on December 8, the day of the Immaculate Conception and Spain observes it with a day off.
In Catalonia, in northeast Spain, people cherish a Christmas character called Tio de Nadal (the Christmas log) or sometimes known as Caga Tio (the pooping log). It's a small hollow log propped up on two legs with a smiling face painted on one end.
From December 8 until December 24, families give the log food and cover it up with a blanket to keep it warm. On Christmas Day (December 25) or Christmas Eve (December 24), the log then gives out small gifts.
Tió de Nadal log. Image Credit: tiodenadal.online
December 28 in Spain is 'Day of the Innocent Saints' and is the equivalent of April Fool's Day in the UK and the U.S.. People try to trick each other into believing silly stories and jokes.
If you manage to trick someone, you can call them "inocente, inocente," which means "innocent, innocent." Children are given presents on Christmas Day, but most are opened on January 6, when Epiphany is celebrated.
In Spain, the Epiphany is called "Fiesta de Los tres Reyes Magos," which translates to "The festival of the three Magic Kings" in English. The Epiphany celebrates when the Three Wise Men brought gifts to the baby Jesus, in the Christian religion.
The Cibeles Palace, headquarters of the Madrid City Council, illuminated with Christmas lights, in Madrid, Spain, December 17, 2022. Image Credit: Isabel Infantes via Reuters
The Netherlands
It all starts with the arrival of Sinterklaas in November every year in the Netherlands. The name Santa Claus comes from the name Sinterklaas.
According to the Dutch tradition, St. Nicholas lives in Madrid, Spain, and every year he chooses a different harbor to arrive in The Netherlands, so as many children as possible get a chance to see him. Sinterklaas is an older gentleman in bishop's clothing who rides a white horse and traditionally has travelled with his helper called "Zwarte Piet" (Black Pete).
Sinterklaas greeted by well-wishers as he arrives in Amsterdam, The Netherlands on November 21, 2022. Image Credit: Ari Dinar via Unsplash
The evening of December 5 is called St. Nicholas's Eve when the children receive their presents. On December 6, Sinterklaas leaves the Netherlands by steamboat via the entrance of the port of Rotterdam and travels back to Spain.
Christmas celebrations in the Netherlands are separate from the visit of Sinterklaas, with the Church service and a family meal. On Christmas Eve, Dutch children believe that Santa Claus — who is also called "Christmas man" and not to be confused with Sinterklaas — comes from Lapland in Finland to deliver more presents.
Czechia
The main Christmas celebrations in Czechia are on Christmas Eve when families come together for a festive dinner, followed by unwrapping gifts.
Fasting tradition is common during Christmas Eve. Essentially, everybody is not supposed to eat during the day on December 24 so as to have an ample appetite for Christmas dinner. This is done in the hope to see a vision of "the golden pig" appear on the wall before dinner.
This is meant to be a sign of good luck. Those who manage to keep the fast, especially children are rewarded with the elusive golden pig.
Parents who still follow the tradition then place the golden pig on a windowsill or somewhere similar in order for it to appear as if the pig came in from outdoors to reward the good child.
According to the Czech custom, the pigs bring good luck and happiness. Image Credit: Reuters
Norway
Christmas without gingerbread cookies is hard to imagine in Norway. Norwegians take pride in their Christmas tradition of the Pepperkakebyen (gingerbread village) in Bergen, Norway.
Pepperkakebyen started in 1991 when local schoolchildren started constructing gingerbread houses resembling Bergen attractions, boats, cars, and even some iconic international landmarks.
The world's largest gingerbread town in Bergen, Norway./Bergen Sentrum AS via visitbergen.com
This pre-Christmas attraction basically recreates buildings and scenes from Bergen and across Norway in gingerbread, all decorated with candies and sweet icing. The profits made from Pepperkakebyen are all donated to a local charity for children in need.
Another tradition is the Christmas tree that Norway sends to the UK every year. The tree is given as a symbol of gratitude for the help that the people of the UK gave to Norway during World War II. The tree stands in Trafalgar Square in the middle of London.
Workers place lights onto the Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square in London, Britain, November 29, 2022. Image Credit: Reuters
Greece
In Greece, children, especially boys, go out singing "kalanda" (carols) in the streets on Christmas Eve, often playing drums and triangles as they sing.
Before Christmas, a sprig of basil wrapped around a wooden cross is kept in a shallow wooden bowl of water to keep the basil fresh. It is believed to keep the "kallikantzaroi" (bad spirits or goblins) away.
Presents are brought to children by Saint Basil on January 1, which is St. Basil's Day and is celebrated with cake called "Vasilopita." The cake has a coin cooked inside it.
Italy
In Italy Christmas is brought home as households set up the nativity crib scene to showcase the Christmas story. It was made popular by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223.
The city of Naples is famous for its elaborate nativity scenes hand-crafted by local artisans. Nativity scenes are traditionally put out on December 8. However, the figure of the baby Jesus isn't put into the crib until the evening of December 24.
The Epiphany is also important in Italy. Children put stockings up by the fireplace for witch Befana to fill and they will receive a stocking of sweets if they've been good or a stocking full of coal if they haven't.
A floating nativity scene is seen at sunset on Lake Pusiano, near Como, Italy, December 18, 2022. Image Credit: Reuters
Sweden
Every December 13, Sweden celebrates St. Lucia's Day. St Lucia was a young Christian girl who was killed for her faith in 304.
The stories about the tradition of St. Lucia aren't clear but the most common story told is that she would secretly bring food to the persecuted Christians in Rome, who lived in hiding in the catacombs under the city.
Every year, Sweden picks a girl to represent the Saint. Local towns and villages also pick their ow who, wears a white gown and a crown of candles on her head and she is surrounded by handmaidens who carry candles in their hands.
Christmas Eve is also very important in Sweden. This is when the main meal is eaten and presents are normally exchanged.
St Lucia's day procession in Sweden. Image Credit: Reuters
Poland
Christmas Eve is known as "Wigilia" in Poland and families traditionally gather for a meal that consists of 12 courses, meant to be a sign of good luck for the next 12 months.
The Wigilia dinner typically does not include meat or alcohol and no food is eaten until the first star is seen in the sky. At the beginning of the meal, a large wafer biscuit called an "Oplatek," is passed around the table, symbolizing forgiveness.
Carp, a type of fish, is often the main dish. One of the most important servings is "Barszcz" (beetroot soup) and it's mandatory to have it. Presents cannot be opened until the big Christmas Eve supper has finished.
Cover Image: A Christmas tree is illuminated in front of Brandenburg Gate during snowfall in Berlin, Germany, December 1, 2022 via Reuters.