10 Weird And Wacky Holiday Traditions You'll Only Get If You're From Iowa
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Rachel Morey Flynn
Author
It seems like every Iowan family has their own Christmas traditions. Some are related to food, others come from the family’s culture, and some are just weird habits that a family adopts because it feels right.
Here are ten Iowa Christmas traditions. See if some of them are familiar. These are the traditions most frequently mentioned in a number of informal polls from around the state.
Families that traditionally open gifts on Christmas morning sometimes let the kids choose one small gift to open on Christmas Eve. This inevitably ends up causing a great debate as to why they can’t just open one more gift…and then one more….
Many families spend the afternoon or evening of Christmas Day at the movie theater. Popcorn, candy, and one more chance to show off that festive Christmas hat is irresistible.
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As if you aren’t already radiating Christmas cheer, you are also wearing a bright red sweater to go with that ear-to-ear smile.
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For many Iowa families, it’s not Black Friday. It’s Deck-The-Halls Friday! We all know someone who just can’t wait to put up their tree and set the timer on their Christmas lights.
With all of the pressure of finding the "right" gift for your family and friends, heading out to a White Elephant Gift Exchange offers a refreshing break. Regifting, carefully wrapping something horrendous, checking your liquor cabinet for that awful bottle of something you’ll never drink, and building a grab bag of random items from your home are all encouraged.
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How often do you drive around your town, wearing pajamas, blasting Christmas music, and drinking hot chocolate so you can check out your fellow citizens’ light displays? For many Iowans, this is a several-times-per-season event.
Do you do Oyster Stew at Christmastime?
It’s a Scandinavian tradition that many Iowans hold near and dear. There’s just something magical about the lye-cured salted gelatinous fish…
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Curling up with a warm bowl of chili on Christmas Eve? Yes, please!
This German tradition has made its way into many Iowa homes. The person who finds the pickle opens the first present.
What are some of your weirdest family traditions at Christmas? Tell us about it in the comments.
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