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China's custom of eating an apple on Christmas Eve and Venezuela's ritual of rollerskating to church are among the festive traditions we’d like to adopt in Britain, a study found.
Other traditions to capture our imagination include Japan's tradition of having fried chicken for Christmas dinner and Columbia's 'Little Candles Day'.
We'd also like to adopt customs such as Austria's demon known as Krampus and hiding away brooms as they do in Norway, to deprive witches of their favourite mode of transport.
Iceland’s Yule Lads – 13 cheeky troll-like characters who visit each child, leaving gifts or rotting potatoes depending on the child's behavior – and decorating windows with red paper pagodas, as seen in China, would also be welcome here.
Commissioned by Air China, the research of 2,000 UK adults found around a quarter believe Christmas traditions are the most important thing about Yuletide.
A spokesman for Air China said: “It’s fascinating to see all the fantastic ways people across the world celebrate Christmas.
"Traditions are such a key part of what makes the festive period so magical and having the opportunity to travel abroad and experience them first hand is truly amazing.
“In addition to creating wonderful memories, seeing how other countries embrace Christmas can make us really appreciate what matters most this time of year.
"This is further shown in how half of Brits enjoy learning about other cultures’ customs to inspire new practices too.”
Other customs admired by those polled include the giant lantern festival as celebrated in the Philippines, the cavalcade of lights as seen in Canada and Sweden's 13 metre tall Yule Goat.
The research also found 56 per cent of those polled have or would go abroad to celebrate Christmas and enjoy different festive traditions for the first time.
Further to this, half enjoy learning about different customs from around the world as they help us understand and appreciate what Christmas is really about.
While 13 per cent revealed they look at how other countries celebrate the big day for inspiration.
This comes at a time when 48 per cent are concerned the true meaning is declining - and this is resulting in less interaction with friends and family.
China, India and Australia are among the countries those polled would like to visit over the festive period – along with the USA, Germany and Japan.
Sixteen per cent revealed spending Yuletide abroad would make it more enjoyable, while 15 per cent would also like to go oversees to do a spot of Christmas shopping.
The Air China research carried out by OnePoll, also found one in 10 would prefer to eat Chinese food on the big day – instead of over the traditional British Christmas dinner.
The research also identified the parts of China we’d most like to visit over the festive period - and Hong Kong top topped the list.
Second spot went to Shanghai, third to Beijing and fourth to Chengdu.
And when there, 42 per cent would most like to visit the International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival - the largest ice and snow art exhibition in the world.
Almost a fifth would like to go to Yiwu Christmas market located in South East China’s Zhejiang province.
During the Christmas season, the supersized festive market is known as Santa's Workshop, and is where 60 per cent of all Christmas decorations sold worldwide are made.
Hongbing Chen, deputy general manager, Air China Europe said: “At Air China, we are keen to encourage Brits to land their dreams and achieve their perfect journey to China.
Continuing our aim to strengthen our relationship with the UK, we are currently the largest air carrier between China and the UK, operating up to three flights per day from London (Heathrow) to Beijing, and three flights per week between London (Gatwick) and Chengdu.”
Air China is giving away a pair of tickets for a return business class trip to China or round the world flights.
To enter, click here [www.landyourdream.co.uk] – the competition ends 1 January 2019.
CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS AROUND THE WORLD:
• Chinese people exchanging apples wrapped in coloured paper, as the Chinese word for 'apple' sounds similar to the word for 'peace'
• Celebrating with a beach barbeque in Australia
• Chinese people decorating their windows with red paper pagodas
• The Giant Lantern Festival in the Philippines
• The 'Cavalcade of Lights' in Toronto
• The Christmas Eve 'Grand Market' in Jamaica
• British people hiding a coin in the Christmas dinner
• 'Little Candles Day' in Columbia
• Iceland's "Yule Lads", 13 tricksy troll-like characters
• The 13-metre-tall "Yule Goat" in Sweden
• The Austrian demon known as the "Krampus"
• People in Japan having fried chicken for their Christmas dinner
• Hiding brooms in Norway
• Visiting church on Christmas Eve in Venezuala - on roller skates
ENDS
