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What’s your family’s
favorite holiday tradition?
Members share the moments that define the season
to them, posted on Costco’s Facebook page.
Holiday traditions around
the world
Our holiday traditions may make
sense to us, but elsewhere in the
world there are some traditions
that many of us may find downright
odd. Here are a few.
Italy. U.S. children may eagerly await
a visit from Santa Claus, but in Italy,
ho-ho-hos are replaced by a witch’s
cackle. La Befana is a kind old witch
who sweeps in on her broom on
January 5 to leave toys and treats
for good kids, and coal and sticks
for those who made the naughty list.
Central Europe. Speaking of poorly
behaved children, kiddos in Austria,
Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany,
Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia
can dread a visit from Krampus, a
half-goat, half-demon beast who
may whisk them away for his holiday
dinner. We’ll take the lump of coal or
stick, please.
Iceland. Icelanders have a giant,
vicious feline, known as the Yule Cat,
who arrives at Christmastime and
eats people who have not received
new clothes to wear for Christmas
Eve. And we used to worry about
the cat and our tree.
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We always have a large dish of cheesy
potatoes made with hash browns and lots
of sharp cheddar. It’s been a family favorite for many years and we “fight” over the
leftovers the next day!
—Jim Mapel
Being a single mom of four who did the
whole holiday meals for years, I finally
revolted in exhaustion when my kids
were teens. Since then everyone contributes to preparing part of the holiday
meals and cleaning up, and we all have a
wonderful time. Each of my kids, now
adults, has developed a specialty in
what they like to prepare.
—Frana Blaylock
Every year I like to pick ornaments, write
the year on them and give them to my
children, as well as to my grandkids, for
their trees.
—Lorie Calkins
My husband reads ’Twas the Night Before
Christmas every year. Such a nice tradition each Christmas Eve.
—Charmayne Druley
Homemade gifts for the adults.
—Shirley Alleyne
All of my family gathers and we end up
playing lots of games.
—Jennifer Carbajal Avila
