Christmas customs are an important part of Croatian tradition. Although Croatia is a relatively small country, it has a surprisingly large number of customs and traditions, which also vary from region to region.

Here's a general overview of the most important customs in Croatia during Christmas time.

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Sveta Kata (St. Catherine's Day)

25th November

In some parts of Croatia preparations for Christmas celebration begin on 25th November and last for an entire month, although this isn't a very common practice. Preparations for Christmas usually commence on Advent Sunday, as is customary in many western Christian churches.

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There's an interesting proverb in those parts of Croatia that practice the beginning of Christmas time on St. Catherine's Day: Sveta Kata zatvara vrata ('St. Kate closes the door'). This refers to another related custom: no weddings nor any other larger celebrations are held at this time of the year!

Prva adventska nedjelja (Advent Sunday)

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Advent Sunday marks the beginning of the season of Advent. It is interesting that this season lasted for 6 weeks up until the 16th century. On this day, the first (of four) candles in the Advent wreath is lit. In the past, Croatians used to braid their own Advent wreaths from evergreen branches in such a way that there was no beginning nor the end in the wreath, which symbolizes eternity.

Sveti Nikola (St. Nicholas' Day)

6th December

Generally, Croatians love giving gifts and Sveti Nikola marks the beginning of the gift-giving season in December.

On the eve of St. Nicholas' Day, children polish their boots and leave them on the window sill, hoping that St. Nicholas will bring them gifts, usually sweets. But those children who weren't good, polite and obedient to their parents get sticks instead! St. Nicholas is accompanied by Krampus, a hairy demon. While Nicholas rewards the good children, it's Krampus who leaves sticks for the children who behaved badly so that their parents can discipline them!

Sveta Lucija (St. Lucia's Day)

13th December

Traditionally ..

• St. Lucia was the one who brought gifts in southern and north-eastern Croatia,
• while children in central and northern Croatia used to receive gifts on St. Nicholas' Day.
• no gifts were given or received on Christmas day

Nowadays, December has become a kind of a paradise for children in Croatia, who now usually get presents on St. Nicholas' Day, St. Lucia's Day AND on Christmas Day!

Božićna pšenica (Christmas wheat)

But, grown-ups have their customs on this day, too! Mothers – or, sometimes, daughters – plant wheat grains, usually in a round dish, which is known as Christmas wheat ( božićna pšenica). What's more, people in some regions plant Christmas wheat even earlier – on St. Barbara's day, 4th December, so that the wheat could grow even taller before Christmas.

It's believed that the taller the wheat grows, the more prosperous the coming year will be. This tradition dates back to times when agriculture was the main economic activity and is connected with fertility cult. By Christmas Eve, the wheat, now hopefully tall, green and beautiful, is tied with a ribbon in red, white and blue – the colours of the Croatian flag.

In Slavonia, people observe the weather on each following day until Christmas, which falls on the 12th day from St. Lucia's Day. It is believed that the weather on each of these days shows what the weather will be like on each of the following months in the upcoming year.

Badnjak or Badnji dan (Christmas Eve)

24th December

The Croatian name for Christmas Eve is derived from the word badnjak – a log lit on Christmas Eve in the evening ( Badnja večer), usually by the father of the family. In some regions (e.g. Dalmatia) the log is sprinkled with wine upon being lit, but again, each region has its own local variations. Traditionally, this is the most important part of an entire Christmas celebration. The badnjak is usually cut on Christmas Eve in the morning, but this custom is also prone to regional interpretations. However, the log is supposed to be burning during the whole Christmas Day. Nowadays, the custom of lighting a badnjak has remained only in rural areas, for obvious reasons.

Croatian Christmas meals

The traditional menu for Christmas Eve includes cod fish ( bakalar in Croatian), prepared in one of the two possible ways: brudet or bianco. Fritule or uštipci – traditional Croatian doughnut-like festive pastries, usually containing raisins, are also served.

These delicacies are usually not eaten before evening; people wouldn't normally eat at all before dinner time.

Decorating Christmas trees

Decorating Christmas trees wasn't a custom in Croatia until the mid-19th century. Before then, homes were normally decorated on Christmas Eve with flowers and fruits, mostly apples, plums and pears. Children were usually in charge of decorating their homes on Christmas Eve. Apart from flowers and fruits, children used to make paper ornaments.

When Christmas trees were first introduced, at first deciduous trees were used. Evergreen trees came later on. Trees were first decorated with gilded walnuts and hazelnuts.

Roblox all codes to giant dance off simulator. Christmas candles have always been an important Christmas ornament and they were usually placed in the middle of the round plate where Christmas wheat grew. Later, trees were also decorated with small pieces of cotton or paper, symbolising snow. Only the wealthy could afford the luxury of possessing special Christmas ornaments or figurines back then.

Božić (Christmas)

25th December

On Christmas the dinner typically consists of sarme (cabbage rolls, stuffed with meat and rice), all kinds of roasted meat, domestic sausages, slanina (bacon) and panceta(pancetta), cheese and pršut(prosciutto, typical for Dalmatia) or kulen (a type of spicy pork sausages, typical for Slavonia) as well as all sorts of cakes, baked on Christmas Eve.

Bogojavljenje(Epiphany)

6th January

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Also referred to as Sveta tri kralja (Holy three kings), Bogojavljenjerepresents the end of the Christmas season. On this day, people usually take down Christmas trees and decorations.

In some places in northern and north-eastern Croatia, there is a tradition that groups of 3 boys, called zvjezdari( zvijezdameaning star, named after the Bethlehem star made of cardboard that they carry with them) or betlehemari or svjećari ( svijeća = light; candle) go from house to house and people give them gifts. Zvjezdari are sometimes accompanied by other boys who sing occasional songs.

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Exercise: Do you know the following Christmas words/phrases?

Djed Božićnjak / Djed Mraz Answer Santa Claus

sanjke Answer sleigh

božićni pokloni Answer Christmas gifts

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adventski vijenac Answer Advent wreath

sob Answer reindeer

božićni ukrasi Answer Christmas decorations

snježna pahulja Answer snowflake

božićno drvce Answer Christmas tree

Božićna svijeća Answer Christmas candle

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Sretan Božić! Answer Merry Christmas!

Sretna Nova godina! Answer Happy New Year!