World's weirdest Christmas traditions

Would you incorporate any of these traditions into your celebrations this Christmas?

Update: 2017-11-29 13:15 GMT
Weirdest Christmas traditions you may not have heard about. (Photo: Pixabay)

Christmas is a special time filled with traditions and rituals that bring families and communities together.

But did you know there are some bizarre traditions associated with Christmas that may just shock you.

A report by The Sun revealed some of the weirdest one.

Here's what is on the list.

1. The Krampus - Germany, Austria

If you’re in this part of the world, you want to hope your on Santa's nice list, because a horned figure known as the half-goat, half-demons preys on the naughty young children on December 5. He was so frightening that Austria reportedly banned him in the 1930s.

2. The "pooing" man – Catalonia

In Catalan tradition, there is a charming figurine of a peasant man with a red cap and has his trousers down as he takes a poo. On December 8, a statue of it in the homes is "fed" sweets, so it can "poo" out the treats to consume.

3. Hunt the Wren - The Isle of Man

Men and women singing and banging sticks is a centuries old Celtic tradition of Hunt the Wren. However, the original version was very brutal, as gang would look for a "sacred" bird they could sacrifice.

4. Raw whale skin with blubber and mouldy birds as a meal - Greenland

This bird treat is called kiviak in Greenland. The bird called auk is preserved in the body of a seal. It is then buries for many months and eaten when it is decomposed.

5. Spider webs on the tree as decor - Ukraine

The Ukranian custom of decorating the Christmas tree with fake spider and web to bring good luck began with a tale about a woman who could not afford to buy decorations. According to the story she woke up and discovered a spider covered the tree in glitter web.

6. Hide the brooms - Norway

Christmas Eve Norwegians believe is a night when evil witches and spirits are out joyriding on broomsticks. So they hide it away fro the night.

7. Fill the shoe - Germany

Children leave a shoe outside their home on December 5. If your are nice it is filled with sweets. If you are naughty you will find a branch of a tree.

8. Yule cat - Iceland

In Iceland, if your wearing scruffy clothes around this time, them beware a the Jólakötturinn or Yule Cat is a monster waiting to eat you. The tradition is thought to date back to medieval times and was a way of getting workers to work during the autumn.

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