Christmas celebrated around the world

The month of December is a time for random traditions around the world. Whether your family plays board games or sings karaoke, most households in America share the common tree-food-gift combo in one form or another.

Though the Christmas Hollywood portrays might seem like a universally accepted norm, what you see in the movies isn’t what you’re going to find in Australia on Christmas Day.

Santa gives his reindeer a rest when he heads down under and uses “six white boomer” —also known as kangaroos—instead. In the hot summer sunshine, Christmas dinner routinely consists of shrimp on the barbecue and fresh seafood.

In Sweden, children might watch for a sleigh, but it isn’t pulled by reindeer or kangaroos. Instead, it’s pulled by a herd of Thor’s goats called, the Julbocker. Their “Santa” is a gnome named Jultomen. He works in cahoots with the little elves who hide in your attic and wait all year to help him out.

And what do roller skates have to do with Christmas? If you happen to be in Caracas, Venezuela, on Christmas morning, they’re considered the most efficient way to get to Mass. Many of the neighborhoods close their streets to cars until 8 a.m., and loyal worshippers strap on their wheels and ride to church. Before bedtime the night before, children will tie a piece of string to their toe and dangle the long end out the window. The next morning, passing skaters give the string a tug so the children won’t miss the derby.

In Yugoslavia, families have developed a great way to show brotherly love. As Christmas approaches, parents tie their children up until they promise to be good. The following Sunday, the children break that promise and tie their mothers up until she gives them treats and toys. Finally, it’s Dad’s turn, and he is bound until he relinquishes yet another set of gifts—usually the family Christmas presents (this is the only country that openly admits to tying up their young during the holidays).

If you’re in Great Britain or Ireland on Christmas morning, pull out your fancy dress and head to the lake for an early morning swim—clothing optional. This freezing tradition has been an annual event since 1895, and hundreds of spectators and swimmers participate every year.

India might have a relatively low percentage of Christians, but that number still comes to a whopping 27 million. They exchange gifts and attend services like the rest of the world’s Christian population. But with no fir trees around, they got creative. In India, you will find brightly lit banana and mango trees decorating streets and houses.

It’s best not to mention the figurine of the pooping peasant that you can find hidden somewhere in most Spanish homes during the holidays. Don’t give him away as a gift, but if you come across him in someone’s house, you’re considered lucky.

These wacky and weird annual celebrations aren’t just found overseas, American homes are peppered with their own small-scale traditions.

Last year, Fandango broke a box office record with best ever single-day ticket sales on Christmas Day. Holiday entertainment is important to Americans; families have been flocking to the ballet since 1944 to see local renditions of “The Nutcracker.”

From TBS’s “A Christmas Story” marathon to the holiday prime time classics with Frosty and Rudolph, it’s no surprise that much of American tradition is wrapped up in entertainment.

And watch out or you just might find yourself on Dec. 24 parked in front of a television in a last minute gift-wrapping frenzy, reliving the classic tale of George Bailey and Clarence in “It’s A Wonderful Life.”

Not a bad way to wind down at the end of crazy holiday season.