An old cassette playing carols, sweet scent of cookies, snowflakes quietly falling from the heaven, lightning all around the house…
“So this is Christmas…” as would John Lennon say.
Christmas Eve is celebrated differently in almost every country. Food, traditions and even date of the holiday differs.
I originally come from Slovakia; a tiny country in the heart of Europe. Even though my family is not very religious we have quite strong Christmas traditions. Christmas day is not just about presents, it is more about the spirit. And that is why I cherish our customs so much.
Christmas Eve is celebrated in Slovakia on 24th of December. We have not only the Christmas supper, but also exchange presents on this day.
Before the dinner begins, the oldest member of my family stands in front of the door and symbolically knocks three times. After saying a short poem they are let in. Carrying a bowl full of fruits and nuts they wish us merry Christmas, and throw the nuts into every corner of the room. It is actually a representation of poor shepherds welcoming baby Jesus, who came only with wishings.
The dinner table is already prepared. Every member of family has a fish scale under his or her plate. It is said that if you put the scale into your wallet, you will be rich the whole year.
Firstly, we eat a special, thin waffle along with honey and garlic. And trust me, it is quite a challenge for your empty stomach. This is said to bring health to the family. We can also rub our forehead with the honey, making a small cross, in order to be good Catholics.
Another fine tradition is to find out whether the family will have good fortune throughout the year. We cut the apple in half and if there is a star in the middle, the answer is yes.
And the supper can, finally, begin. Most of the Slavic countries prepare similar meals; usually a soup, fish and lot of desserts.
We start with the cabbage soup with sausage, mushrooms and sour cream. You can add couple of roast potatoes as well (yummy!).
The next course is roasted fish, usually a carp. If you have never tried it, trust me, you are missing a lot. One have to spend some time deboning the fish, but then the delicious meat comes even as a bigger treat. Many families, usually with young children, buy a fresh carp at the market two or three days before Christmas. They let him swim in the bathtub, and “execute” him on the Christmas Eve.
As a dessert we consume cakes and our speciality, gingerbread cookies. They have different shapes (a tree, a snowman etc.) and are decorated with coloured sugar.
And finally, it’s a present time! We all sit under a Christmas tree with gifts. Children believe that they were brought by baby Jesus (thanks mum!). After we open our gifts, we just sit around, chat and enjoy each others company.
25th and 26th of December are holidays in Slovakia. Almost no business is open on those days, so it is a great opportunity to visit your family members, and finish all that lovely food which is left from the Christmas Eve.
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