The quirkiest Christmas traditions from around the world

In some corners of the globe, beloved yearly traditions are far quirkier than barbecues, prawns and backyard cricket games.

Whether you celebrate an Aussie Christmas under the sun or indulge in snow sports in the northern hemisphere, UK-based Christmas expert James Cooper said traditions were all about connection.

"You feel your place, you feel part of something other than you," Mr Cooper said.

"It's community and being together - whether that's singing carols, going to look at lights, decorating trees.

"We're sociable animals and we love that feeling of having a community."

So, what are some of the best and quirkiest Christmas traditions celebrated around the world?

Here's one Australians won't be adopting anytime soon.

One of Finland's oldest Christmas traditions still observed by many is taking a nice hot sauna with the family or 'joulusauna', on Christmas Eve or early on Christmas day.

The idea is to provide a moment of calm and purity before celebrations kick off.

It turns out not all Christmas traditions are rooted in joy and cheer.

According to legend, a pagan character called Krampus kidnaps misbehaving children in early December - a much worse fate than a bag of coal.

Today, 'Krampusnacht' or Krampus Night is celebrated as part of Christmas traditions in parts of Austria where people dress as the horrifying, horned creature and parade down the street.

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Another terrifying Christmas tradition and a haunting tale for children is Iceland's Yule Cat.

'Jolakotturinn' or the Christmas Cat is a giant, evil black cat that appears on Christmas Eve and, traditionally, eats anyone who has not received a new item of clothing.

Children included, of course.

Make of the murderous folklore what you will but it seems the intent was to help encourage hard work or the production of wool.

While Aussies will spend their Christmas Day peeling prawns, residents of Oaxaca in Mexico dedicate December 23 to carving radishes.

'La Noche de Rabanos' or the Night of the Radishes marks a competition where artists will carve elaborate scenes out of the root vegetable.

The tradition goes back more than a century when Christmas market sellers would attract buyers with carved radishes, soon becoming the competition still held today.

Some Venezuelans choose to make what some might consider to be the less interesting part of attending Christmas activities, the travelling, into one of the most unique.

'Las patinatas' or the skates is a tradition in some parts of the South American country where people will strap on a pair of skates to make their way to early morning Christmas mass.

The tradition can even involve streets being closed down like in Caracas for late-night, skate-filled Christmas Eve parties.

The Dutch tradition of Sinterklaas (a St. Nicholas/Santa Clause figure) goes back a long way.

It involves children putting their shoes out in front of the fire in the days leading up to December 5, the night before St. Nicholas Day.

Traditionally, you can leave a wish list of presents in the shoes and even a carrot for Sinterklaas' horse, with songs to accompany.

Another Scandinavian tradition comes from Sweden, with the lighting of advent candles.

The Swedish Christmas begins the Sunday four weeks prior with the lighting of the first advent candle and subsequently every Sunday after, leading up to the big day.

There's nothing quite like a countdown and adding a little extra light to those early Swedish winter nights, especially when it involves food like lussekatter (sweet saffron buns) and glogg (Swedish mulled wine).