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5 Foreign Christmas Traditions We Need To Adopt RIGHT NOW

Other countries are doing this Christmas thing right!

Abgail Hunter

Dec 21, 2018

University of Delaware

Flickr

Everyone wants to believe Christmas is OUR thing in America, but other countries celebrate the holiday, too, and frankly, some do it a lot better than we do. Here are 5 customs or traditions worldwide that are SUPER cool

1. Rollerblading to mass- Venezuela

Going to mass Christmas Eve and Day is a common practice, but Venezuelans go one step forward- rollerblading there! Anyone physically able participates and it contributes to community participation. Roads will often be closed around churches throughout the holiday.

2.Book exchange- Iceland

In Iceland, which produces the most books in the world, people gift each other books on Christmas Eve. Everyone is supposed to spend the night in bed reading, and as such, it makes sure everyone goes to sleep peaceful for the holiday.

3.Relaxing on Christmas- United Kingdom

Cooking and cleaning on Christmas is discouraged in the United Kingdom. Often, festivities are held on Christmas Eve, and if possible, food and home preparation should be done before the holiday even begins. (My pen-pal in the UK said she plays games and orders pizza with her family Christmas Eve)

4.Lantern Festival- Philippines

What started as a simple oragami paper and candle creation contest has become an elaborate competition between the 11 provinces of the country where people work together to make works of lights, motion, and occasionally music. The creations can be up to 6 meters wide, and the lanterns are paraded through the streets of the capitol.

5. Krampus- Austria (and other countries)

This is a pretty well-known concept, but in case you do not know, Krampus is Saint Nicholas' counterpart who punishes naughty children. While Santa just delivers coal, Krampus eats bad children if they are naughty enough.

Which custom do you wish the United States adopted?

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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5 Foreign Christmas Traditions We Need To Adopt RIGHT NOW

Other countries are doing this Christmas thing right!

1. Rollerblading to mass- Venezuela

2.Book exchange- Iceland

3.Relaxing on Christmas- United Kingdom

4.Lantern Festival- Philippines

5. Krampus- Austria (and other countries)

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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