5 Fun Foot-Centric Holiday Traditions

Families across the world have many different traditions they cherish every year when the holiday season comes around. Some put up a tree in their living room and decorate it while Bing Crosby serenades them in the background. Today Dr. Joel Segalman, Dr. Stephen Lazaroff, and Dr. Brittany Ciaramello at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC in New Haven County and Fairfield County want you to enjoy both the holiday season and all things related to podiatry. They would like to share how people worldwide celebrate with their feet, stockings, and shoes! 

Spain: Spanish children put their shoes out in anticipation of getting treats and gifts in them. But they leave them out next to the fireplace, balcony, or door on January 6th, which is Three Kings Day or the epiphany. The shoes are filled with goodies (for the kings) and hay (for the camels). And the following morning, they find the shoes filled with candy and toys as thanks for their kind contributions. 

Netherlands: Youngsters in the Netherlands eagerly get ready for St. Nicholas to come by filling their wooden shoes with carrots and hay for his horse. And the following morning, they expect their shoes to be filled with candy and toys for their kind contributions. 

United Kingdom: Similar to the United States, families in the United Kingdom hang their stockings on their fireplace mantles, or from their beds, in anticipation of a visit from Old Saint Nick so they can catch the coins that are dropped down the chimney by Father Christmas. Residents there will often wake up to find stockings filled with tangerines or oranges, representing bags of gold or coins. 

Venezuela: If you’re going to church to celebrate the holiday in Venezuela, be sure to don your roller skates so you can blend in with everyone else! Skating to the church is a holiday ritual in Venezuela, so much so that the streets are closed, making it easy and extra enjoyable.

United States: Here in the U.S., families also follow some foot-related holiday traditions. Families everywhere hang stockings and set out cookies and milk so Santa can leave all the good children plenty of presents. But were you aware that many others also choose to celebrate St. Nicholas Day on December 6th? Like some other countries, children leave their shoes out by the fireplace or window so Saint Nick might leave them some goodies.

How will you celebrate this holiday season? Whatever you do, Dr. Joel Segalman, Dr. Stephen Lazaroff, and Dr. Brittany Ciaramello at Performance Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC in New Haven County and Fairfield County want you and yours to have a fun, healthy, and safe Christmas!