Merry Christmas

Christmas is celebrated on 24th, 25th and 26th December.

Christmas has basis in Christianity. Earlier people celebrating at Christmas birth of Jesus Christ. Before Christmas is four-week period

called Advent. Every Sunday of Advent people lighting a candles.

The Christmas celebration involves a lot of local customs. For us probably the most widespread custom is standing Christmas tree, decorated with Christmas ornaments and under it the people give presents.

It customary to build a Christmas creche alias nativity scene: in Bohemia this habit appeared in 1560.

24th December is a tradition that the whole family meets at the gala dinner.

The dinner is traditionally consist of fish soup, carp with potato salad and during its consumption we are conserved some habits. For example we can prepare a plate for unexpected visit, or put a coin or fish scales under plate.

After dinner is customary to unwrap Christmas gifts.In the Czech Republic brings gifts for children Jesus. Christmas Eve traditionally culminates in a midnight Mass, where are sung carols and church will start the celebration of the birth of Christ.

Christmas Eve is associated with a number of folk traditions:

1.Casting lead

Molten lead is poured into the water. Cast portends the future by shape. (for example: star = success)

1. Letting walnut boats

2. Throwing a shoe

3. Slicing apples

When apples have star in the cored, everyone in the family will meet per year in health.

Christmas cookies and baking is one of popular Christmas traditions, which is in a large part of Czech households respected.

Light of Bethlehem

One of the modern Christmas traditions is the Bethlehem light that carry scouts. The light is lit every year in Bethlehem, and then travels across Europe.

Golden piggy bankIt is a tradition where

it is claimed who fasts, in the evening will see golden pig.

few, manage to catch a glimpse of the golden pig as a shadow running along the wall or ceiling.

New Year's Eve (Eve) are held on the last day of the year - 31st December. Usually

celebrated in the company of other people at parties, restaurants, clubs and in the streets and squares, these celebrations usually last until the early morning hours. People drink much alcohol and together count off last

minute of the old year.

We welcome the New Year with champagne toast or wine. At midnight, fireworks are launched and other fireworks as favorite rockets, bombs or ball.

On the night of 31st December to 1st January world celebrate the end of the year and also the beginning of a new - New Year's Eve celebrations. Before the New Year, individuals, families and businesses send New Year's wishes, with a nice or funny picture and wish health and happiness in the new year. New Year is in the Czech Republic but also in other countries national holiday.

MERRYMERRY

CHRISTMASCHRISTMAS

AND AND

HAPPYHAPPY

WISHWISH YOUYOU IvčaIvča

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