6 Weird Holiday Season Traditions From Around The World

And you thought your family had some strange traditions...

1. Elf on the Shelf (United States) – Thanksgiving Through December 24

Via thelovelyproject.org

It may seem like a cute idea at first but midway through the month of December, many parents are fed up with remembering to find a hiding spot for Santa's little snitch.

2. Roller Skating (Venezuela) – Christmas Eve

Via giphy.com

In Caracas the streets are blocked off so that people can roller skate to church.

3. The Catalan Caga Tió (Barcelona) – Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Via suitelife.com

A colleague came across this tradition during a trip to Barcelona. On Christmas day (or Eve), one puts the tió partly into the fireplace and orders it to defecate by beating it with a stick and singing various songs of Tió de Nadal.

4. Christmas Crackers (United Kingdom and other Commonwealth nations) – Christmas Day

Via senorgif.com

Cross your arms and pull apart a cardboard tube wrapped in paper (resembling a wrapped candy), and enjoy the accompanying bang, courtesy of the gunpowder inside.

5. Toss a Microwave (Johannesburg, South Africa) – New Year’s Eve

Via giphy.com

Grab a large old appliance (fridge, microwave, TV toaster etc.) and chuck it out your window.

6. Jump Off a Chair (Denmark) – Midnight on New Year’s

Via giphy.com

Forget Auld Lang Syne and a smooch on the lips, if you are Danish you need to grab a chair and jump off of it at midnight. With all those chairs it could make for a crowded New Year’s Eve party.