Forget mince pies and mistletoe – Brits have revealed they are keen to try different Christmas traditions to the ones they typically observe at home.
This is according to an easyJet survey of 2,000 people in which 90 per cent of respondents said they were interested in experiencing an alternative festive tradition and 80 per cent said they would like to travel abroad to try one.
The survey produced a ranking of the 20 alternative Christmas traditions Brits would like to try over December and the festive period.
What interests them include traditions involving flaming fireballs, “ghost saunas” and medieval markets.
Sophie Dekkers, easyJet Commercial director, said: “We hope this list helps inspire both seasoned travelers and first-time visitors to explore more of the places they love or visit a new destination and experience its unique customs first-hand.”
Scroll down to see the full list. Which one would you most like to experience?
1. Saint Lucia Candle Parade at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark: 29 percent
The candlelight Christmas procession in Tivoli Gardens (above) is the number one alternative European festive tradition for Brits.
Taking first place is a candlelit procession in Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen, which sees the 174-year-old amusement park illuminated by thousands of fairy lights and tree lights.
2. Christmas ‘ghost sauna’ to connect with deceased ancestors, Finland: 19 percent
On Christmas Eve, it is traditional for Finnish residents to have a sauna session to connect with their deceased ancestors.
Afterwards, they celebrate outdoors while their ancestral ghosts take their place in the sauna.
3. Swinging fireball, Stonehaven, Scotland: 18 percent
Dramatic: In Stonehaven, the new year is seen with swinging flaming balls
In Stonehaven, the new year is greeted with the sound of midnight chimes and dozens of people waving flaming balls around their heads as they parade down the main street.
Fireworks complete the fiery celebration.
4. Provins Medieval Market, France: 18 percent
Provins medieval market puts a historical twist on Christmas
A special medieval Christmas market in Provins, near Paris, puts a unique historical spin on traditional festivities, with jugglers, fire eaters and dancing to medieval music.
5. St. Nicholas Day Parade, Küssnacht Village, Switzerland: 17 percent
A parade of 1,400 boys and men carrying bells and dressed in traditional shepherd costumes walks through the village of Küssnacht, on the shores of Lake Lucerne, on December 5, the eve of St. Nicholas Day.
Huge bishops’ miters are displayed at the St. Nicholas Day parade in the Swiss town of Küssnacht
They are followed by others wearing enormous episcopal mitres, cardboard headdresses and colored paper handkerchiefs, illuminated from the inside by candles. The effect is a parade of stained glass.
6. Krampus Night, Austria: 13 percent
In Austrian folklore, Krampus is a creature who will punish naughty children just before Christmas. On December 5th it is customary for people dressed as Krampus to parade through the streets.
7. Bell ringing in Morcote, Switzerland: 13 percent
The bells of the Church of Santa Maria del Sasso in Switzerland are rung by hand nine days before Christmas
During the nine days before Christmas and on Christmas Eve, the inhabitants of the village of Morcote, on the shores of Lake Lugano, gather at night in the bell tower of the church of Santa Maria del Sasso to eat and drink. One after another, all the attendees get up, climb a ladder to the church bells and ring them with their hands.
8. The Yule Lads, Iceland: 12 percent
Thirteen mischievous troll-like characters visit children in the 13 days before Christmas, leaving them gifts or rotten potatoes in their shoes, depending on how well they have been that year.
9. Bananas in Braga, Portugal: 12 percent
The ‘Bananeiro’ is a Christmas tradition that takes place in the historic center of the Portuguese city of Braga at the Casa das Bananas, a wine shop that formerly served as a banana warehouse. The owner used to give bananas to his customers to help calm their stomachs. Today, crowds gather at the store on Rua do Souto on Christmas Eve to drink muscat wine, eat a banana and chat with friends and strangers.
10. Christmas pickles, Germany: 11 percent
Christmas trees in Germany include a unique decoration: a pickled cucumber hidden deep in the branches on Christmas Eve. The first child to see it receives a gift.
11. Perchten, Austria and Bavaria: 11 percent
Perchten is a pagan festival in Austria and Bavaria in which people dress up as beasts and demons in extraordinary costumes to scare away the evil spirits of winter by making them ugly. The festival is linked to the ‘Christmas witch’ Frau Perchta, who is said to wander the countryside during the 12 days of Christmas, rewarding the good and punishing the bad.
12. St. Lucia’s Day, Sweden: 11 percent
Choristers wear candles in their hair for the celebration of Lucía in Sweden
Celebrated on December 13, Sweden’s annual Lucia celebration involves girls and boys dressed in long white dresses singing songs together and wearing candles in their hair. Saffron buns are eaten as part of the experience.
13. Hidden Broom, Norway: 10 percent
According to Norwegian folklore, witches go to houses on Christmas Eve to scare people and steal riding brooms. That is why it is a Christmas Eve tradition to hide brooms and mops to prevent this from happening.
14. La Befana, Italy: 10 percent
On January 6, Three Kings Day, the old witch La Befana delivers gifts to children Santa Claus style.
15. Il Rogo del Vecchione, Bologna, Italy: 10 percent
On New Year’s Eve in Bologna, an effigy is burned in Piazza Maggiore to symbolize the end of the old year and the beginning of the new. The effigy is based on the most notable events of the year.
16. J-Dag, Denmark: nine percent
A modern tradition dating back to 1990, J-Dag, or J-Day, is the day when Tuborg Brewery’s Julebryg (Christmas beer) is released. The beer, a strong pilsner, will be available on the first Friday in November, and its launch kicks off the holiday season for Danes.
17. Kallikantzaroi, Greece: nine percent
Kallikantzaroi are mischievous elves who emerge during the 12 days of Christmas to cause trouble. The Greeks kept them at bay by lighting fires in their homes (to prevent them from going down chimneys), placing sieves in doors (believing unintelligent goblins will get confused trying to count the holes), and hanging holly and garlic.
18. Shoe launch, Czech Republic: eight percent
In the Czech Republic, single women throw a shoe over their shoulder and walk out the front door. The shoe is then inspected; If it lands with the tip pointing in the direction of the door, it means you will get married next year.
19. Caga Tió, Catalonia, Spain: seven percent
Caga Tió is a Catalan tradition in which a wooden log with a painted face is “fed” before Christmas and then hit with sticks to “poop” gifts on Christmas Eve.
20. Mari Lwyd, Wales: six percent
A tradition in which the skull of a horse, decorated and mounted on a pole, is carried from door to door. The participants engage in a rhyme battle with the heads of the families.
On Christmas Eve, it is traditional for Finnish residents to have a sauna session to connect with their deceased ancestors.