Here in America, we have some pretty deep-rooted traditions that go along with the Christmas holiday.

For example, kids leave milk and cookies out for Santa, we decorate a tree and hang stockings, and many of us gather with family and friends to enjoy a  warm meal around the table. These traditions seem normal to us, but let's take a look at how other countries around the world celebrate Christmas. Some have similar ways of spending the holiday, while other countries' traditions are just plain bizarre.

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    1

    Spiders for Christmas?

    In America, most people choose to stay far away from spiders and anything having to do with them, however in Ukraine, instead of decorating their Christmas trees with ornaments and tinsel, they opt for artificial spiderwebs. This tradition was spawned from the story of a woman who was too poor to afford to decorate her tree. When her kids woke up on Christmas morning and saw the first ray of sunlight shining through the spiderwebs on the tree, it is said that the webs turned to gold and silver, and the family was left with riches. Now, it is said that if you see a spider web on Christmas, it symbolizes good luck.

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    The Eve of the Goat

    Beginning in the year 1966, a gigantic 42-foot tall goat statue made completely of straw, was put up in the middle of a town in Sweden. That year, exactly at midnight, the goat burst into flames after being set on fire by vandals. The building of the goat continues to be an annual Swedish tradition, as well as the burning of it.

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    Christmas Dinner at...KFC

    Many people in America celebrate the day or night of Christmas by feasting on a delicious meal around the table. However, those in Japan prefer to munch on some fried chicken from KFC for dinner. It is said that some customers even place their order up to two months in advance of the holiday. It's estimated that more than 240,000 barrels of chicken are sold during Christmastime.

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    Get it All Out and Leave it at the Table

    We can all agree that sometimes spending too much time with the in-laws and family around the holidays can lead to lots of tension. Well, in several villages in Peru, they have a solution to this problem. On Christmas Day, towns gather at local arenas to watch community members settle their grudges by fist fighting each other. Men and women of all ages settle old scores that may have been building up over the year, in theory to resolve conflict and arrive at a greater peace. Once this takes place, villagers join together to drink and celebrate, and it is believed that the New Year will roll around with everyone starting fresh on a clean slate.

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    Don't Get Kidnapped By Santa

    In Iceland, kids don't just believe in one Santa Claus, they believe in 13 different "Yuletide Lads" who serve the purpose of either leaving presents or pulling pranks, depending on how well that child has behaved throughout the year. If a child winds up on the naughty list, they don't worry about coal, instead they fear the wrath of Grýla, who just might come kidnap them out of their bed on Christmas morning. Although, I know of a few parents who may consider this more of a present rather than a punishment...

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    Go Bananas on Christmas

    Decked out evergreens are the most common symbol of Christmas decor here in the U.S., but have you ever wondered what the countries do that can't grow these types of greenery? Take India for instance. Instead of having parking lots full of Christmas trees for sale, the small population of citizens in India that do celebrate Christmas, which is only about 2.3%, decorate banana and mango trees with ornaments. How festive!

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    Skating Through the Holidays  

    Usually it's ice skating that we associate with the winter time, but in Venezuela, this Christmas tradition involves skates of a different kind. On Christmas Eve, before going to bed, kids will tie one end of a string to their big toe and hang the other end out of the window. Then, on Christmas morning, the streets are closed off to cars until 8 a.m., so that citizens can roller-skate to "Early Morning Mass." While on the way to mass, skaters will tug on any of the strings that they see dangling out of windows. Let's hope they don't pull too hard, or less and less people may be skating come following years.

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    Mince Pies and Brandy for Santa

    In London, rather than leaving cookies and milk for dear Old St. Nick, children instead leave out mince pies and brandy. It's no doubt that Santa feels extra warm and toasty when he leaves England for the next country.

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