In Venezuela, people go to the church in rollerskates in Christmas Day. Why? I have no idea.

In New Zealand it’s a tradition to have barbecue and beer for Christmas. Why? Because they can. What a great idea.

In Romania, the main dish is stuffed cooked cabbage, cooked one day before dinner. After eating it, some of them envy the New Zealanders.

In Iceland there are not just one, but 13 Santas. They are all brothers, from Trolls parents. And they have a black giant cat who eats all the bad kids (except the Romanian bad kids, because they ate cabbage).

In Ukraine, they use decorative spider webs at their Christmas trees. So does Peter Parker. And myself, when I am too tired to clean the house.

In Russia they have a different kind of Santa, called Father Frost, his classic outfit is blue, instead of the famous 1930’s Coca-Cola red.

Talking about red, you can send a Christmas card of any color in Japan, except red. A red card means that someone has died.

Until the last century, it was a goat, not Santa, who spread all the happiness in Scandinavia.

In Netherlands, children are afraid of being kidnapped by Black Peter, a Santa’s helper who takes mean children to Spain, where he and Santa take a rest after Christmas. And yes, many people consider this traditional tale a bit racist.

In Austria and some places at Bavaria, there is a bad Santa called Krampus and it is…a demon!

Santa’s dark side of the force can also be found in Switzerland. It is a brown Santa known as Schmutzli.

In France, Belgium and Luxembourg the tradition says that “St. Nicholas” carries a donkey. In many countries he rides a white horse instead of going with Rudolph and the flying bambi gang.

In Brazil, a tropical country, Christmas trees are made of plastic and they are usually decorated with fake snow: cotton or white spray.

The Brazilian Christmas dinner looks more like an UN food meeting, with many cultures represented: turkey (probably American influence) or chester (a Scottish bird, similar but moister than turkey), cod fish, french toast (Portuguese influences), ham (maybe Spanish or Italian influence), roasted manioc flour with eggs (African side dish), Panetone (Italian fruit cake) and dry fruits (Arabian colony trademark).

Also, from Brazil, this copywriter wishes you, wherever you are in the world, happy holidays and a great New Year.

All the best!

- Fabio Seidl