Families around the world cherish traditions that are as unique as they are humorous. At Schitzski's, we celebrate these quirky customs that bring families together in laughter and joy.
Family traditions truly vary widely between cultures and can seem quite strange from an outside perspective, even as they hold deep meaning for the families practicing them. Many are centuries old and passed down through generations.
Here’s a look at some of the family traditions we've come across from various cultures.
In Spain, when a baby loses their first tooth, some families have the tradition of putting it under the pillow for Ratoncito Pérez (like the tooth fairy) who takes the tooth and leaves a small gift.
In parts of Germany, when a child loses their first tooth, parents have them put it in a glass of schnapps.
In Italy, La Befana, a beloved Italian holiday figure delivers gifts to children on the eve of January 6th, which is the Feast of the Epiphany. According to Italian folklore and legend, La Befana is an elderly woman who flies around Italy on her broomstick in the night to bring presents to well-behaved children. Kind of like an alternate Santa Claus??
In Greece, flying kites on Clean Monday is especially popular. Children make or decorate kites and go out with their families to fly them. This symbolizes cutting loose past wrongs and letting them fly away. (Wish it were that easy!)
In Egypt and parts of the Middle East, some children celebrate "Eid el-Burbara" on December 4-5th by buying a seedling and caring for it until it blooms. If successful, it means the child has grown more patient and responsible that year.
In Germany, some families have a tradition on Christmas Eve called Kleidchenweihnacht, where they dress up formally and tell stories or read poems to each other.
In Norway, on Christmas Eve, some families will hide all the brooms in the house because there was a belief that witches and evil spirits come out on Christmas Eve and would steal any broomsticks they found to ride on.
In parts of India, when a baby turns one year old, there is a tradition to sit the baby on the floor surrounded by various objects like money, fruit, a stethoscope, a pen and more. It is believed the item the baby picks up first represents their future career or prosperity.
In parts of China, when a baby turns one year old, traditions vary from lighting incense on the baby's head to predict their future to covering them in sticky rice flour as a blessing. (That's an interesting clean up!)
And one of our favorites here at Schitzski's: In Navajo culture, a baby's first laugh is celebrated with a First Laugh Ceremony. The family hosts a gathering to celebrate the joyous occasion. This would be an excellent tradition for the world to adopt!