So, fun fact: I recently discovered that I’m 51% Jewish.
I know, right?
As someone who thought their DNA was about as exotic as a piece of plain toast, this was a real plot twist. The moment that 23andMe revealed this, my curiosity was piqued, and I felt like I had just cracked open a door to an entirely new world of traditions, customs, and celebrations I had never known.
Naturally, this set me off on a mission to learn all I could about my newfound Jewish heritage. But you know how things go—one thing led to another, and suddenly, I was deep-diving into holiday traditions from all over the world.
The world is FULL of interesting ways to celebrate, and I couldn’t help but think: Why not sprinkle a little global flair into our own family holidays?
So here we are! Whether you’re like me and trying to learn about your cultural heritage or you’re just looking for fun new ways to spice up the holidays, let’s take a world tour of holiday traditions. Buckle up because we’re about to get festive!
Hanukkah: Spin the Dreidel and Pass the Latkes, Please!
Let’s start with my people (who are still getting used to saying that!) and talk about Hanukkah. Eight days of fried food? YES, PLEASE. Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of light when a single day’s oil supply lasted eight days in the Holy Temple.
Today, families celebrate by lighting the menorah each night, playing dreidel (a fun spinning top game with chocolate coins as prizes), and eating foods fried in oil—especially latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts). Hanukkah is like the cozy winter celebration you never knew you needed, with an emphasis on family, gratitude, and delicious carbs.
And hey, if you want to try making latkes at home, just know that your kitchen will smell like fried potatoes for days—but trust me, it’s worth it.
Christmas in the Philippines: Giant Lanterns and Midnight Feasts
Now, let’s hop over to the Philippines, where Christmas celebrations are on a whole new level.
Filipino families don’t just celebrate Christmas on December 25th—they start as soon as the “ber” months roll in (yes, that’s September!). One of the most spectacular parts of their Christmas celebration is the Giant Lantern Festival, where huge, intricate lanterns light up the night sky, symbolizing hope and joy.
Another thing the Filipinos do that I can totally get behind is Noche Buena, the Christmas Eve feast. Picture this: after attending a midnight mass, you gather around the table for a feast with your family. It’s like Thanksgiving but with more lechon (that’s roasted pig) and desserts like bibingka (a type of rice cake).
I don’t know about you, but I’m always up for a midnight snack… especially if it involves roasted pork and cake.
Diwali: Lights, Sweets, and New Beginnings
From the Philippines, let’s head to India for Diwali, the festival of lights. Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness and good over evil, which is pretty much the vibe I want for all my holidays.
Families celebrate by decorating their homes with oil lamps (diyas), bursting firecrackers, and eating tons of sweets.
A big part of Diwali is the giving and receiving of mithai, or Indian sweets, which are so colorful they look like little edible jewels. Think laddus, barfis, and gulab jamuns (Google them—you’ll drool). It’s basically a sugar lover’s dream holiday. The homes are cleaned from top to bottom, new clothes are worn, and families come together to pray and celebrate fresh beginnings.
So if your home is feeling a little dusty and your wardrobe a little tired, Diwali might just be the excuse you need to revamp everything while eating your weight in desserts.
Japan’s New Year: Clean Your House, Eat the Noodles
Over in Japan, New Year’s is a bit different from the confetti-and-champagne affair many of us are used to.
First of all, it’s all about preparing for a fresh start, which means deep cleaning the house (osoji) before the new year begins. If your house is in need of a post-holiday cleanup, you can borrow this tradition as motivation—because there’s nothing like a clean house to kick off the new year, right?
Another Japanese New Year tradition is eating toshikoshi soba on New Year’s Eve. The long noodles symbolize a long and healthy life, and honestly, who doesn’t love the idea of slurping your way into a better year?
Plus, after all that holiday indulging, a light and healthy noodle dish feels like a nice reset.
Mexico’s Día de los Muertos: Celebrating with Those Who Came Before Us
Let’s make a stop in Mexico for Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).
This two-day celebration, held on November 1st and 2nd, honors loved ones who have passed away by celebrating their lives, rather than mourning their deaths. Families build ofrendas (altars) in their homes, decorated with marigolds, photos, and the favorite foods of their loved ones. The streets are filled with vibrant parades, sugar skulls, and dancing skeletons, and while it might sound a little spooky at first, it’s really a beautiful and colorful celebration of life.
For those of us who have lost someone we love, incorporating some of the Día de los Muertos traditions could be a wonderful way to honor their memory during the holiday season. Whether it’s setting up a small altar or just making their favorite meal, it’s a heartfelt way to keep their spirit close.
Sweden’s St. Lucia Day: Bring on the Candles
In Sweden, the holiday season kicks off with St. Lucia Day on December 13th.
Celebrating the saint who brought light during the dark winter months, Swedish families honor the day with a parade led by a girl wearing a crown of candles (no pressure, right?) while singing carols. In true Scandinavian fashion, this holiday is all about warmth, light, and—of course—great food. Saffron buns called lussekatter are the star of the show, and they pair perfectly with a steaming mug of coffee.
Honestly, even if you don’t crown your child with candles (safety first), the idea of embracing light in the darkest time of the year is something we can all get behind.
Italy’s Epiphany: La Befana and the Gift of Sweets
Finally, let’s fly over to Italy (if only!) and talk about Epiphany, celebrated on January 6th.
Italian children don’t just wait for Santa Claus to bring them gifts; they’ve also got La Befana, a kindly witch who flies around on her broom delivering candy to good children (and lumps of coal to the naughty ones). Think of her as Santa’s quirky, broomstick-riding cousin.
La Befana is a big deal in Italy, and the night before Epiphany, children leave out a glass of wine and some snacks for her (because flying around delivering treats all night is exhausting work).
It’s a charming tradition that keeps the holiday spirit going long after Christmas Day.
Bringing It All Together
As I’ve dug into the holiday traditions of my Jewish heritage and explored the celebrations of other cultures, I’ve realized that at their core, holidays are about bringing people together—whether it’s lighting a candle, sharing a meal, or gathering around to tell stories.
There’s a universal desire to celebrate love, light, and community, no matter where in the world you are.
So, this holiday season, why not mix things up? Whether you’re spinning the dreidel, eating Noche Buena leftovers, or slurping New Year’s noodles, a little global inspiration can bring some extra magic to your family’s celebrations. Plus, it’s a great excuse to eat your way around the world—guilt-free!
Happy Holidays!
(whichever ones you’re celebrating!)
