CHRISTMAS IN THE CZECH

REPUBLIC

• We celebrate Christmas day on 24 December - for many, this day is the most enjoyable day of Christmas holidays

• It is called Generous day - it is the day when people give gifts to each other

• To children we usually say that gifts was given by baby Jesus

CHRISTMAS EVE• Christmas Eve is the most awaited part of the day

(especially by children)• Gifts are delivered after Christmas dinner• When family finishes dinner everybody is waiting for sound

of small bell from the room where gifts are expected to be delivered

CHRISTMAS DINNER• A traditional Christmas meal in the Czech Republic is fried

carp and potato salad• Many households also prepare a great variety of special

Christmas cookies• After dinner, everyone around the table may sing Christmas

carols

CHRISTMAS TREE• In some families children decorate the tree to mark

place where gifts should be delivered• In some families Christmas tree is delivered

together with gifts

CHRISTMAS PRESENTS• Presents have been placed under the tree• Czech children believe that Christmas gifts are brought by

Baby Jesus • He receives wish-list letters from Czech children a few

weeks before Christmas

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONSGOLDEN PIG

• Some children think that when they will starve whole day until Christmas dinner then they will see golden pigKISSING UNDER MISTLETOE

• Every girl and woman has to be kissed under mistletoe to be healthy next yearNOBODY CAN LEAVE THE TABLE DURING CHRISTMAS DINNER

• Nobody can leave the table during generous day dinner. Otherwise somebody from family will die next year

CHRISTMAS TRADITIONSSPLITTING THE APPLE

•Some people cut apple into two halves and in case that core has star shape then it is OK and in case that it has cross shape then the person that cut apple dies in next year

THE FLOATING OF WALNUT SHELLS•Little boats are made out of empty walnut shells and each family member places a little burning candle into a shell. Everyone's shells are then floated on a bowl of water. If the shell makes it across the bowl, its owner will live a long and healthy life. A shell that sinks brings bad luck to its owner