strange Christmas traditions

In honor of Christmas Day, here are a few strange/unusual Christmas traditions that are practiced around the world.--

In Greenland, the Christmas feast includes Kiviak. Kiviak is a delicacy made from the raw meat of an auk (a diving bird of the North Atlantic-- see picture). Sounds yummy? Ah but wait! Kiviak isn't ready until the bird meat has been buried under a stone encased in a sealskin for a few months. "Good" Kiviak is in an advanced state of decomposition and smells like old blue cheese.

In Japan, they never send red Christmas cards because that is the usual color of funeral notices.

In Yugoslavia, on the second Sunday before Christmas, children tie their mother to a chair. They shout "Mother's Day, Mother's Day what will you pay to get away?" The mother gives them some gifts. On the Sunday before Christmas, the kids play a prank on their father... who again, responds with giving more presents.

Some Portuguese people celebrate a special feast on Christmas morning that is called "consoda." The table is set with extra seats for the souls of the dead. They are offered food in hopes that the dead souls will bring the family good luck.

In Caracas, Venezuela, the streets are closed on Christmas morning so that people can roller-skate to church.

In Britain, it is thought that if the Christmas pudding is sirred clockwise, it might cause a wish to come true.

In Norway, brooms are hidden in order to keep witches from flying around and disturbing Christmas Eve.

I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas!
(next new post on the 27th... ummmm, or maybe the 26th if I feel motivated :) )

http://www.strangecosmos.com/content/item/25266.html
http://www.raisingkids.co.uk/fea/fea_90_xmas.asp