Christmas Sweets
We bake traditional Christmas sweets before Christmas. Every family prefers different types and has different recipes. When we were little, we had Christmas party at school every year on the last day of school before Christmas and everyone brought some Christmas sweets and this tradition still lasts in schools.
Christmas Decorations
We are not as crazy about Christmas decorations as some people in other countries, but we are becoming better. Typical Christmas decorations are Christmas candlesticks, candles, Christmas lights, paper snowflakes, somewhere also light up reindeer or Santa Claus -they have nothing to do with Czech Christmas, but shops don't care and you can buy them apparently everywhere.Christmas markets
Altough we are Czech, we have to admit the Czech Christmas markets are not that awesome. You can taste mulled wine, trdlo (expensive, typical trap for tourists and locals), mead, edible chestnuts and buy tons and tons of presents - spices, socks, books, decorations,...Fast for a day
If you fast on Christmas Eve you may see a golden pig, which can bring you luck the next year. (We kept this tradition for many years and never have seen one, so it's better to eat Christmas sweets, drink coffee/tea/cocoa or whatever and watch fairytales).
Who brings presents to children in CZE?
Christmas Crib/Nativity Scene
In our country we have a long tradition of Christmas crib. We usually place in undet the Christmas tree or anywhere near it.
Typical Christmas dinner
Dinner is served on 24th December and consists of carp soup, fried carp and potato salad. However, the carp is sometimes replaced by another fish, wine sausage or fish fingers. After dinner, family goes to the Christmas tree where they find Christmas presents and unwrapping can start! A week before Christmas, you can spot fish vats and carp salesman everywhere.
Midnight Mass
Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve is not only for religious people, even if your aren't a Christian, you can go to church and sing some Christmas carols.Christmas Traditions
There are so many Christmas traditions in the Czech Republic. Let's start with these connected to Christmas dinner:- When decorating and preparing the table for Christmas present, make sure you set the table for an even number of people (odd numbers bring bad luck and also you should be ready if an unexpected guest comes during dinner).
- There should be only one person getting up from the table druing the dinner - usually the wife/mother, because she serves the meal, others have to sit and can get up from the table after the dinner is finished - getting up from the table during dinner brings bad luck.
- If you want to be rich in an upcoming year, make you sure that you place the fish scale that you find under your plate after dinner into your wallet.
Dinner is finished, presents are already unwrapped and you want to find out about your future? Okay.
- Throw your shoe over your shoulder, if the toe points toward the door, you will go somewhere (travel, get married, move out,..), if the toe points in the opposite direction, you will stay at home.
- Cut an apple in half, can you see a star? Great! You will be healthy in the new year. If you can see a cross, be careful, it means you will die.
- Pour liquid lead into a container of cold water and study the shape it makes carefully - the shape foretell your future.
And one international tradition you may also held in your country
- Kiss Me Under the Mistletoe - Mistletoe at home during Christmas times brings you good luck and there is also well-known tradition that includes kissing. But be aware - mistletoe must be given to you, otherwise its magical power is not working.
If you read carefully, you may notice that majority of Christmas traditions in the Czech Republic are connected to death...weird and creepy, we know.
Christmas carols
Silent Nigh, Jingle Bells, White Christmas, yes, there are Czech versions of almost every well-known English Christmas carols. And if you know Love Actually (the film), you may remember the Christmas carol Good King Wenceslas- this Christmas carol is about Czech king Wenceslas.Poinsettia
Popular Christmas plant almost all over the world. Fun fact: the poinsettia comes from Mexico and the weather in the Czech Republic during winter time is definitely not the best for this plant.
Merry Christmas
M+K
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