18 Bizarre Family Traditions People Thought Were Normal

Every family has its unique way of doing things. What seems perfectly normal in one household might seem strange or even crazy to others. Growing up, many people don’t realize that their family traditions are unusual until they share them with friends or meet new people. In this blog, I’ll explore 18 weird family traditions that people thought were totally normal until they learned otherwise.

Pickle on the Christmas Tree

Image Credit: “Pickle” by elvissa is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.

Some families hides a pickle-shaped ornament on their Christmas tree every year. The first person to find it on Christmas morning gets an extra present. This tradition is actually quite rare and has unclear origins. Many people are surprised when they first hear about the Christmas pickle tradition.

Banana and Sprite Challenge

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A bizarre family tradition involves a contest to see who can eat a banana and drink a can of Sprite the fastest without getting sick. This unusual challenge is sometimes done at family gatherings. Guests are often shocked when invited to participate in this strange competition.

Birthday Plate Smash

Image Credit: Hans from Pixabay

In certain households, the birthday person gets to smash a ceramic plate after blowing out their candles. They might write a wish on the plate before breaking it. Some families keep the broken pieces as mementos. This tradition is not common and often surprises people who hear about it.

Thanksgiving Song and Dance

Image Credit: Terri Cnudde from Pixabay

Some families perform a special song and dance routine before eating Thanksgiving dinner. Everyone is expected to participate, even reluctant teenagers and guests. New moves might be added each year. This tradition often starts as a joke but can become a serious annual event.

Tooth Fairy Tea Party

Image Credit: Josef Pichler from Pixabay

When a child loses a tooth, some families set up a miniature tea party for the Tooth Fairy. Parents might sneak in after the child falls asleep to arrange tiny cups and treats. This elaborate tradition is quite different from the typical practice of simply putting teeth under pillows.

New Year’s Eve Treasure Hunt

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Instead of watching the ball drop, some families go on a midnight treasure hunt in their neighborhood on New Year’s Eve. Parents hide treats and small gifts earlier in the day. Using flashlights and following clues, family members search for hidden treasures at midnight.

Dinner Time Alter Egos

Image Credit: Jill Wellington from Pixabay

At dinner, some families have a tradition where each member speaks in a different accent and pretends to be someone else. They might keep the same alter ego for a whole week before switching. This unusual practice can be confusing for dinner guests.

Birthday Balloon Pop Challenge

Image Credit: Pexels from Pixabay

For birthdays, some families fill balloons with small gifts and money. The birthday person has to pop all the balloons without using their hands before opening other presents. This noisy tradition can be quite chaotic and is far from the norm.

Weekly Family Rap Battle

Image Credit: Jordy Torres Villalta from Pixabay

Some families hold regular rap battles in their living room. Family members make up rhymes about their week and try to outdo each other. Even grandparents might participate with their own silly raps. This musical tradition is quite uncommon and often surprises people.

Pancake Art Contest

Image Credit: pdoctor from Pixabay

Instead of regular breakfast, some families hold pancake art contests. Each person tries to make the most creative pancake shape. They vote on the best one, and the winner might get a special prize. This tradition turns a simple breakfast into a creative competition.

Halloween Candy Trade Stock Market

Image Credit: Deborah Hudson from Pixabay

After trick-or-treating, some families set up a candy trade stock market. They assign values to different candies and trade them like stocks. The person with the most valuable candy collection at the end wins. This complex system is far from the usual Halloween candy swap.

Also read: 23 Free Birthday Stuff You Can Get in Ontario

Toilet Paper Birthday Surprise

Image Credit: Alexa from Pixabay

In some households, a birthday tradition involves covering the birthday person’s room in toilet paper while they sleep. They wake up to a tissue paper wonderland. This messy tradition is quite unusual and often shocks people who hear about it.

Family Motto Chant

Image Credit: OurWhisky Foundation from Pixabay

Some families have a tradition of chanting a made-up family motto before leaving the house. This might happen every single time someone leaves, even for quick errands. The habit can be hard to break and might lead to awkward moments outside the home.

Dinner Conversation Cards

Image Credit: Elle Katie from Pixabay

At dinner, some families draw cards with random conversation topics. Everyone has to talk about the topic on their card, no matter how weird it is. This can lead to very strange dinner discussions and is quite different from typical family meals.

Birthday Meal Roulette

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For birthdays, some families use a spinning wheel to randomly determine each course of the birthday meal. This can lead to odd combinations like ice cream appetizers and breakfast for dessert. The birthday person has to eat whatever comes up on the wheel.

Annual Family Music Video

Image Credit: Vivian 郑 from Pixabay

Some families have a tradition of creating an elaborate music video together each year. They might spend months planning and filming it. The finished video could be used as a unique Christmas card. This time-consuming tradition is far from common.

Pajama Wednesday

Image Credit: Alisa Dyson from Pixabay

In some households, there’s a tradition of wearing pajamas all day on a specific day of the week, even to school and work. This unusual dress code can lead to awkward situations outside the home. Most people are surprised to hear about this weekly pajama day tradition.

Dessert Before Dinner Day

Image Credit: congerdesign from Pixabay

Some families have a monthly tradition where they eat dessert before dinner. They might call it “Backwards Day” and sometimes eat all their meals in reverse order. This sweet tradition is not common and often surprises people who hear about it.

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Joy Fadogba

Joy Fadogba is a passionate writer who has spent over a decade exploring and writing about lifestyle topics. With a fondness for quotes and the little details that make life extraordinary, she writes content that not only entertains but also enriches the lives of those who read her blogs. You can find her writing on Mastermind Quotes and on her personal blog. When she is not writing, she is reading a book, gardening, or travelling.