Christmas season is a time most people choose to spend with their families. It is one of the busiest times of year for airports and other international transport hubs as so many people choose to travel to be with their loved ones for the annual occasion.

Most families have developed strong traditions from setting up the Christmas tree together to putting together the menu served for Christmas lunch or dinner. You could argue the celebration has become a routine of sorts where the same preparations and festivities are repeated every year.

If you feel a sense of stagnation in your family's way of celebrating, consider jazzing the occasion up a bit with the introduction of a few new traditions. Do a bit of research on international Christmas traditions and see if you might inject a few of these into your festivities. That could see you and your family having the times of your lives indulging in delicious international cuisine, or playing silly games from halfway across the world.

Adopting new traditions does not mean you should forget about your old ones. It is just a simple yet effective way of making sure no one is ever allowed to get bored.

Entertainment

Traditionally, in Poland an activity performed on Christmas Eve is the pouring of hot bees wax in cold water. Once a shape has emerged, each person's fortune can be told. Do some research online to see what certain shapes imply.

Alternatively, do as they do in the Philippines where a couple is chosen to re-enact the scenes of Joseph and Mary looking for shelter. The pageant is called Panunuluyan.

If you have the time and have friendly neighbours, you can adopt the Norwegian tradition of 'julebukk' whereby people go around the neighbourhood asking for sweets, similarly to Halloween.

Food

In Latvia, where Christmas is celebrated in the evening of the 24th December, an ancient tradition is to serve 9 different foods. Contrary to many countries where turkey is the most commonly served meat, Latvians like their pork, specifically the pig's snout. That can be accompanied by sauerkraut, roast vegetables, peas and more.

In Vietnam, where Christianity was adopted by many during the French rule, locals make a big batch of chicken soup to celebrate the special day.

Sicilians in Italy eat eels, fish, pasta, sweet bread and a special kind of nougat, Torrone, for Christmas. See if you can get your hands on some at an Italian deli or online.

Continuing the international cuisine theme, you could be giving out Christmas food hampers as gifts this year. Either buy these readymade or create your own with an array of exotic food and drinks. It would be difficult to find someone who wouldn't appreciate receiving a hamper full of goodies like French cheese, Scottish chutney, Swiss chocolate, Moroccan spices, Chinese fortune cookies and more.

Whatever you decide, have a jolly international Christmas this year!