Strange American Christmas traditions - from elves scaring kids to raw eggs

24 December 2023 , 18:06

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American traditions include a lot Santa events, regional foods, silly ornaments, and urban legends (Image: Getty Images)

American Christmas traditions are a bit odd, from drinking eggnog to decorating tumbleweed trees. They may not be the oldest traditions, but they sure are unforgettable.

From scaring kids with tiny elves to sipping a raw egg drink that few non-Americans would dare try, the US has some standout traditions that the world should know about.

Some traditions begin with local tales and legends, the heart of any holiday celebration, while others are just an excuse to get a bit quirky. From oddly-shaped baubles, regional grub, and sprucing up iconic local symbols, there's a weird and wonderful American Christmas tradition for everyone on this list.

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Americans also have a certain fascination with Santa Claus, and every year, various states host dozens of Santa-themed events around Christmas. So whether you fancy dressing up like Jolly old St. Nick for a pint, or donning a Santa suit for a mountain hike - there's something for everyone.

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The Great Santa Dash in Reno, Nevada, is a big Christmas-themed 5K race. Instead of race numbers, runners wear Santa hats and enjoy cocoa and biscuits instead of water and sports drinks.

In Asheville, North Carolina, Santa descends the 315-foot Chimney Rock every year. He then joins in other Christmas festivities at the park - there's hot chocolate, biscuits, and even a petting zoo.

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Popcorn strings and pickle ornaments, drinks of eggs, and trees of tumbleweed: what makes American Christmas so unique (ClassicStock)

In Jackson Hole, Wyoming, skiers can enjoy a festive ride down the mountain with Santa on Christmas morning. Meanwhile, in sunny Laguna Niguel, California, the Surfing Santa competition gives a holiday twist to surfing in December, raising funds for Surfers Healing, a surf camp for kids with autism.

Santacon is another crazy day celebrated in many cities. The biggest one takes place in New York City every year and is promoted as a charity event. However, it actually began in San Francisco in the '90s as a protest named Santarchy. Folks dressed as Santa would play pranks around the city. Now, it's a massive event that raises loads of money for causes like City Harvest, The Secret Sandy Claus Project, and The Food Bank for New York City.

Eggnog is a classic American drink that has its roots in a British tradition, except completely different (Getty Images)

Eggnog, a traditional festive drink made from egg yolks, sugar, milk or cream and your choice of alcohol, is a holiday favourite. This drink started as posset, a warm punch with ale, raw eggs, and figs, loved by British Monks in the 13th century. The concept travelled to Hawaii, where it transformed into a pig roast.

While eggnog might not seem that odd to Americans - even George Washington had his own recipe - it's a tough sell to the rest of the world, who might not find the idea of drinking eggs mixed with rum very appealing.

Kentucky has a tradition of making extravagant fruit cakes soaked in local bourbon and topped with nuts.

In Mississippi, a special dish of grits is enjoyed, particularly along the Gulf Coast where families feast on a Christmas meal of tender local shrimp and spicy sausage served over grits.

Chandler, Arizona boasts a unique tradition - each year they construct the world's largest tree made entirely of tumbleweed! It's fully decorated, and you can see the sharp and fluffy balls stacked to the sky underneath.

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Chandler, Arizona, has a yearly world's largest tree made entirely of tumbleweed (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Also in Arizona, many choose to decorate their backyard with Saguaro cactuses for a desert Christmas celebration. These giant cacti, often over a hundred years old and protected by the state, are adorned with lights and Santa toys in a beautiful display of Southwest tradition.

Meanwhile, Christmas in Southern Louisiana is a bonfire of a good time, as residents set stuff on fire in a River Parish tradition going back centuries.

Elf on a Shelf is a strange US tradition that has become intensely popular - helping parents help their kids behave for a few weeks in the winter (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

The Elf on the Shelf tradition has been controversial since it started, with many parents adopting the tradition and even expanding it to other countries worldwide. But the idea of a toy elf that watches children to report to Santa about their behaviour - that's a family tradition gone viral. And that's how it happened.

Carol Aebersold and her daughter, Chanda Bell, created "The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition," based on their family's own Scandinavian holiday tradition from the 1970s. Now, it's a viral sensation, with parents getting more and more creative about ways to bring the toy to 'life' for their kids.

In the US, some traditions from immigrants have been kept alive but adapted into something uniquely American, like the pickle ornament. According to WhyChristmas.com, there are a few legends surrounding this tradition. One story tells of a soldier in the American Civil War, originally from Bavaria (now part of Germany). He was captured and so hungry, he pleaded with a guard for one last pickle before his death. The kind-hearted guard gave him a pickle, which miraculously gave him the strength to survive! Now, the tradition is to hide the ornament somewhere on the tree, and the first child to find it receives an extra present.

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to [email protected]

Yelena Mandenberg