I'm sure the thought of researching for Christmas conjurers up thoughts of seeking those perfect holiday gifts. Spending hours shopping, making lists, keeping tabs on the ones you hold dear to see if they let it slip what they really want this year. All of which are great holiday traditions, but for this particular blog post, the seeking was spent looking for a great holiday blog without being redundant. We decorated, we always do, and I'll admit it looks slightly like whoville in here (and I love it) but it's nothing ya'll haven't seen before. No, for this post I wanted to find some things with a little more intrigue to share. Lets see what I find ...
I started with the google search "Unusual Holiday Traditions"
Did you know that in Japan, on December 25th they enjoy a holiday meal from KFC? (Of course, the 25th isn't exactly Christmas because they don't technically celebrate the holiday) But, as I heard from an Japanese girl in my college sociology class, "it's another reason to party." So, how do they party? With the Colonel.
A little more digging told me that this tradition all started in 1974 with a fluke
"Kentucky for Christmas!" ad campaign. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any images from the original campaign, but here's another image of Christmas Colonel.
Sources say, families will place their KFC Holiday orders months in advance,
and on 12/25 waiting in line can take up to 2 hours. Neat, huh?
Next up: Australia
I've really been fascinated with Christmas in Australia. The holiday is celebrated in December, but in Australia December is summertime! They hit the 100's just like we do during the summer in Tucson! It got me wondering, do they associate Christmas with snowflakes and songs like "White Christmas" or do they have their own warm weather traditions? Some traditions I discovered:
Santa's going surfing:
Trees on the beach:
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| This one's a Christmas card ;) |
And sandmen!
Many families will spend the whole day out on the beach enjoying all that summer has to offer. Sun, water, BBQ, you name it. At home they have turkey, but mostly it's served cold. They sit around the tree and exchange gifts on Christmas morning, pretty familiar right? Just really, really hot! I love it!
Here's a fun one: Christmas in the 1980's
I'll tell you what got me started on this. At a recent Christmas Party we were all talking about Christmas songs we kinda couldn't stand ... my offering was a very strange diddy I had never heard before working in a dental office where we had Muzak CD's. The Christmas CD included this song:
Hearing it again it's not so bad, but I tell you what I remember dreading it's cycle back around day in and day out at that office. But searching for Christmas in the 80's brought out some serious gems!
For example: Pee Wee's Christmas Special!
Oh, the memories! Mrs. Yvonne, the fruitcake, potato stamps, cowboy Carl, connect the Christmas dots, Mekalekahimeka-ho-ho-ho! (Tell me at least one of you has even the slightest idea what I'm talking about)
Originally aired in 1988 featuring musical guests like Little Richard, K.D. Lang, Charo and many more. Plus cameo's from Joan Rivers, Oprah and Cher! The list, and the entertainment, goes on. This one is a classic! If you haven't seen it yet, well I apologize for your sad, deprived childhood.
But it's on youtube, so pop some corn, sit down and enjoy
I know I don't have to tell you about the Griswald's, Scrooged, A Christmas Story and even Home Alone (it was 1990, that was technically still "the 80's" as far as pop culture is concerned) I also don't have to remind you of all the games, the shows, the toys, the commercials. The 80's was a magical decade full of 10 of the worlds best Christmases. I'm just lucky I was born early enough to enjoy some of it!
Thanks for taking a moment to walk down memory lane with me. I hope you're out enjoying all of your favorite holiday traditions, see you guys next time!
