Sviata Vechera or “Holy Supper” is the central tradition of the Christmas Eve celebrations in Ukrainian homes. The dinner table sometimes has a few wisps of hay on the embroidered table cloth as a reminder of the manger in Bethlehem.

When the children see the first Star in the eastern evening sky, which symbolizes the trek of the Three Wise Men, the Sviata Vechera may begin.

In farming communities the head of the household now brings in a sheaf of wheat called the didukh which represents the importance of the ancient and rich wheat crops of Ukraine, the staff of life through the centuries.

Didukh means literally “grandfather spirit” so it symbolizes the family’s ancestors. In city homes a few stalks of golden wheat in a vase are often used to decorate the table. Read the rest of this entry »

In Eastern Europe, Slavic countries have the tradition of Ded Moroz (”Grandfather Frost”). He is accompanied by his granddaughter Snegurochka (”Snowmaiden”).

According to legend, he travels in a magical decorated sleigh drawn by reindeer, and delivers gifts to children. He is thought to descend more from Santa Claus than from Saint Nicholas.

Christmas celebration in Russia is on the 7th of January (which corresponds to December 25 in the Julian Calendar). The tradition of celebrating Christmas has been revived since 1992, after decades of suppression by the communist government.

It is centered on the Christmas Eve “Holy Supper”, which consists of twelve servings, one to honor each of Jesus’ apostles. Read the rest of this entry »

Christmas in Romania falls on December 25 and is generally considered one of the most important religious holiday. First comes Easter.

The singing of carols is a very important part of Romanian Christmas festivities.

On the first day of Christmas, many carolers walk through the streets of the towns and villages, holding a star made of cardboard and paper on which are depicted various scenes from the Bible.

Romanian tradition has the smallest children going from house to house, singing carols and reciting poems and legends during the whole Christmas season. Read the rest of this entry »

Georgians celebrate Christmas on January 7 (Julian calendar). Traditional in Georgia is to go on Alilo, a mass walking in streets, dressed in special forms to celebrate and congratulate each other the holiday.

Often members of Alilo are children and they are gifted from elders with sweets.

The Alilo songs vary in the provinces of Georgia.

In most songs these words are used: ოცდახუთსა დეკემბერსა, ქრისტე იშვა ბეთლემსაო otsdakhutsa dekembersa qriste ishva betlemsao - on December 25 Christ was born in Bethlehem. Read the rest of this entry »

In Bulgaria, Christmas (Bulgarian: Коледа, Koleda or more formally Рождество Христово, Rozhdestvo Hristovo, “Nativity of Jesus”) is celebrated on 25 December (unlike in some other Eastern Orthodox countries) and is preceded by Christmas Eve (Бъдни вечер, Badni vecher).

Traditionally, Christmas Eve would be the climax of the Nativity Fast, and thus only an odd number of lenten dishes are presented on that evening. On Christmas, however, meat dishes are already allowed and are typically served.

Among the Bulgarian Christmas traditions is koleduvane, which involves boy carolers (коледари, koledari) visiting the neighbouring houses starting at midnight on Christmas Eve, wishing health, wealth and happiness and patting the backs of the people with decorated cornel sticks (сур(о)вачка, sur(o)vachka). Another custom is the baking of a traditional round loaf (пита, pita). Read the rest of this entry »

Since the 1880s, the Christmas customs of Eastern European Slavic countries have included a similar character known as Ded Moroz (”Grandfather Frost”).

According to legend, he travels in a magical troika — a decorated sleigh drawn by three horses. With his young, blond assistant Snegurochka (the Snow Maiden, said to be his granddaughter) at his side, he visits homes and gives gifts to good children.

He only delivers presents to children while they are asleep, and unlike Santa, he does not travel down chimneys, coming instead to the front door of children’s homes. It is traditional for children to leave food for Ded Moroz just as American and British children do. Read the rest of this entry »

In Poland, Christmas Eve is a day first of fasting, then of feasting. The feast begins with the appearance of the first star, and is followed by the exchange of gifts.

The following day is often spent visiting friends. Poland is a land of intriguing traditions, superstitions, and legends. Its people have always combined religion and family closeness at Christmas time.

Gift giving plays only a minor role in the rituals, emphasis being placed instead on making special foods and decorations. Read the rest of this entry »

In Hungary, celebrations begin with Christmas tree decoration and gift packaging during daytime on 24th December, then comes a family dinner with traditional Christmas meals, and in the evening (Christmas Eve, in Hungarian: Szenteste) the Little (Baby) Jesus (Hungarian: Kisjézus or Jézuska) delivers the presents.

This is the most intimate moment of Christmas, featuring warmly lit Xmas tree and candles, soft Xmas music, family singing of religious songs and gift pack openings.

NOTE: in Hungary (and equally in Czech Republic and Slovakia), Santa Claus (Hungarian: Mikulás, Czech: Mikuláš, Slovak: Mikuláš) has nothing to do with Christmas. He visits families earlier, in the dawn of 6th December, and puts candy-bags for the well-behaving children (to be put in their polished shoes they put in the windows previous evening). Read the rest of this entry »

In the Czech Republic, Christmas is celebrated mainly on December 24, or Christmas Eve - Štědrý den (pron. “Shtiedree den”, means “open-handed day”) when the gifts are given in the evening. However, the December 25 and 26 are also free days.

According to tradition, gifts are brought by Ježíšek (pron. “Yezheeshek”), or “little Jesus”. Many very old Christmas traditions are followed, mostly for fun. People are taught not to eat anything on Christmas Eve until a ceremonial dinner is served, in order to be able to see a “golden pig”.

The gifts are displayed under the Christmas tree (usually a spruce or pine), and people open them after their Christmas dinner.

Other Czech Christmas traditions involve predictions for the future. Apples are always cut crosswise; if a star appears in the core, the next year will be successful, while a cross suggests a bad year. Read the rest of this entry »

In countries of Central Europe (for this purpose, roughly defined as the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Austria, Hungary and possibly other places) the main celebration date for the general public is Christmas Eve (December 24th).

The day is usually a fasting day; in some places children are told they’ll see a golden pig if they hold fast until dinner. When the evening comes preparation of Christmas Dinner starts.

Traditions concerning dinner vary from region to region, for example in the Czech Republic the prevailing meal is fried carp with potato salad and fish soup.

However, in some places the tradition is porridge with mushrooms (a modest dish), and elsewhere the dinner is exceptionally rich, with up to 12 dishes. Read the rest of this entry »