Inna Castillo - December 24, 2024

Aside from the good food, good company, and good cheer,  Christmas is colored not only by varying traditions, but also restricted by some unusual legislation. Here are some peculiar Christmas laws from across the globe.

United Kingdom: Santa Driving Ban

If you’re based in the UK and plan on driving dressed as Santa, you might want to pack a bag with your costume inside and drive with plainclothes on. Rule 97 of the UK Highway Code prohibits the wearing of any clothing items or footwear that may get in the way of their driving, This includes the signature fluffy Santa garb, which could yield up to a hefty £5,000 penalty.

Costa Rica: Christmas Aguinaldo

Employers in Costa Rica are legally obligated to pay their employees a Christmas bonus, also called “Aguinaldo”, as mandated by the Costa Rica Labor Code. EEEmployers must pay all their employees a Christmas Bonus regardless of their employment type, pursuant to the Costa Rica Labor Code. 

France: Mandatory Postcard from Father Christmas  

French children are given a unique Christmas treat when they write a letter to Père Noël or Father Christmas, because a 1962 law requires that they receive a postcard from Father Christmas in return. The French adults keep the Père Noël magic alive, quashing any doubt about his existence. 

United States: Three Reindeer Rule

In the 1984 case Lynch v. Donnelly, the U.S. Supreme Court held that displaying religious elements such as the nativity decoration in government establishments is only allowed if non-religious symbols are included. If the three wise men are in the scene, so should three reindeers.

Massachusetts: Christmas Ban

In the mid-17th century, the Massachusetts Bay Colony established a distinctive law known as the “Penalty for Keeping Christmas.” Enacted in 1659, this regulation aimed to maintain a focus on productivity and community priorities during the holiday season. Residents were discouraged from observing Christmas with traditional festivities and were required to continue with their usual work routines. Violators of this law faced a fine of five shillings, highlighting the colony’s commitment to its cultural and societal values at the time.

Christmas is a time for wonder and apparently, some legal quirks. We at Optima Juris celebrate the joy and diversity that this holiday brings, and extend our warmest wishes to you and your families. 

Merry Christmas! Happy Holidays! Season’s Greetings!