In Japan, families will celebrate the Christmas season with a big bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken, and it’s been this way since the 70s.

Christmas doesn’t mean the same thing for Japan as it does for us, The cities are lit up, specialized markets just for Christmas open up, and the holiday has a focus more on the romantic and commercial instead of religious ones.

Back in the 60s, Christmas celebrations were largely just to entertain kids, with loads of cakes and sweets being promoted.

But when KFC came to Japan in the 70s, they launched the KFC Christmas, selling buckets of KFC with a bottle of wine and suggesting Christmas parties for adults as well. The idea came about when a customer visited a KFC in Tokyo, saying they couldn’t get a turkey for Christmas in Japan and opted to get KFC instead. A team member at the branch overheard it, and ever since the KFC Christmas has become a holiday staple.

Now, KFC stores around the holidays will feature statues of the Colonel in Santa Claus attire, promoting Christmas-exclusive menu items such as a roast chicken and a baked chicken stuffed with cheese and mushrooms.

KFC even takes reservations for their Christmas meals as early as late October.