But above everything, the end of the year is all about traditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While France keeps things rather classic, other countries celebrate in much more surprising ways. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here are six of the most unusual Christmas traditions from around the world!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Christmas with your feet in the water \u2013 Australia<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.wonderbox.fr\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/noel-plage-cadeaux.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIf Christmas means snow and cozy nights by the fire for you, things work very differently in Australia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Down under, the holidays fall right in the middle of summer, with temperatures reaching around 30\u00b0C (86\u00b0F). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That means you\u2019re more likely to see Santa in a swimsuit holding a beer than in a red suit drinking eggnog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Australia, gifts are exchanged over backyard barbecues or beach picnics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the menu: champagne, seafood, and glazed ham! And for dessert, the famous Pavlova<\/em>\u2014a light meringue cake topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit\u2014takes the place of the traditional British Christmas pudding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- \n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.wonderbox.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/04\/merry-christmas-exceptional-6.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nUnwrap the gift of extraordinary adventures with our Merry Christmas Exceptional experience box<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\nBuy now!<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n2. A symbolic Christmas gift \u2013 Portugal<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.wonderbox.fr\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/cadeau-noel-orange.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn Portugal, it\u2019s not Santa who delivers the presents but baby Jesus! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
And in some regions, an old tradition still lives on: offering each guest an orange studded with cloves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once considered a luxury item, the orange has become a Christmas symbol. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Giving one is meant to bring prosperity and good fortune for the coming year\u2014a simple but meaningful way to start the new year right!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- \n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.wonderbox.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/04\/merry-christmas-gift-card-6.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nUnwrap endless adventures with our $100 Christmas gift card that lets them choose their perfect experience<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\nBuy now!<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nWhy a gift card makes the best Christmas gift for her in 2025<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n3. An unusual Santa \u2013 Italy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.wonderbox.fr\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/cadeaux-noel-enfants.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn Rome, the arrival of La Befana\u2014a friendly witch\u2014is just as anticipated as Santa Claus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With her crooked nose and magic broom, La Befana delivers a second round of presents during the night of January 5 to celebrate the Epiphany. T<\/p>\n\n\n\n
his iconic figure of Italian folklore is considered a \u201csecond Santa,\u201d entering homes through the chimney to reward children. The well-behaved receive sweets and toys in their stockings; the mischievous get\u2026 coal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A generous witch who gives witches everywhere a better reputation!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- \n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.wonderbox.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/04\/getaway-in-europe-6.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nDiscover Europe's charm with a three-night adventure for two in iconic cities<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\nBuy now!<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n4. A Christmas Log That Gives Gifts \u2013 Spain<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.wonderbox.fr\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/cadeaux-noel-enfant-sapin.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn Catalonia, not all gifts come from Santa! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Families also rely on the \u201cTi\u00f3 de Nadal,\u201d a Christmas log with a smiling face, a small blanket, and the region\u2019s traditional red-and-white \u201cbarretina\u201d hat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Starting early December, children \u201cfeed\u201d the log every day so that it can \u201cpoop\u201d gifts on Christmas morning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before the Christmas Eve dinner, kids grab sticks, hit the log, and sing songs asking it to give them presents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once the log used to deliver treats like nougat and dried fruit\u2014today it may spit out toys, electronics, or even phones. Quite an upgrade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nIf Christmas means snow and cozy nights by the fire for you, things work very differently in Australia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Down under, the holidays fall right in the middle of summer, with temperatures reaching around 30\u00b0C (86\u00b0F). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That means you\u2019re more likely to see Santa in a swimsuit holding a beer than in a red suit drinking eggnog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Australia, gifts are exchanged over backyard barbecues or beach picnics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the menu: champagne, seafood, and glazed ham! And for dessert, the famous Pavlova<\/em>\u2014a light meringue cake topped with whipped cream and fresh fruit\u2014takes the place of the traditional British Christmas pudding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Portugal, it\u2019s not Santa who delivers the presents but baby Jesus! <\/p>\n\n\n\n And in some regions, an old tradition still lives on: offering each guest an orange studded with cloves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once considered a luxury item, the orange has become a Christmas symbol. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Giving one is meant to bring prosperity and good fortune for the coming year\u2014a simple but meaningful way to start the new year right!<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Rome, the arrival of La Befana\u2014a friendly witch\u2014is just as anticipated as Santa Claus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n With her crooked nose and magic broom, La Befana delivers a second round of presents during the night of January 5 to celebrate the Epiphany. T<\/p>\n\n\n\n his iconic figure of Italian folklore is considered a \u201csecond Santa,\u201d entering homes through the chimney to reward children. The well-behaved receive sweets and toys in their stockings; the mischievous get\u2026 coal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A generous witch who gives witches everywhere a better reputation!<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Catalonia, not all gifts come from Santa! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Families also rely on the \u201cTi\u00f3 de Nadal,\u201d a Christmas log with a smiling face, a small blanket, and the region\u2019s traditional red-and-white \u201cbarretina\u201d hat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Starting early December, children \u201cfeed\u201d the log every day so that it can \u201cpoop\u201d gifts on Christmas morning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Before the Christmas Eve dinner, kids grab sticks, hit the log, and sing songs asking it to give them presents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once the log used to deliver treats like nougat and dried fruit\u2014today it may spit out toys, electronics, or even phones. Quite an upgrade.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n2. A symbolic Christmas gift \u2013 Portugal<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n3. An unusual Santa \u2013 Italy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n4. A Christmas Log That Gives Gifts \u2013 Spain<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.wonderbox.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/04\/merry-christmas-memorable-6.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.wonderbox.fr\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/cadeaux-noel-sapin-famille.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.wonderbox.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/04\/merry-christmas-passion-6.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.wonderbox.fr\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/noel-enfant-cadeaux-bonbons.jpg\")
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