1. Christmas in the Czech
Republic

2. When we celebrate
Christmas
We celebrate Christmas on 24th, 25th and 26th of December when adults and children have
holidays. But the main day is 24th of December. Why? Because we get presents, all members of
the family are together and we have got special dinner. This day we called Christmas Eve. The
third day has got also own name – feast of the St. Stephen.

3. Traditions
On 24th of December we should not eat anything to see „golden pig“. People decorate their
christmas tree(They are often pine, fir or spruce.). In the evening all family is together and eat
dinner – fish soup, potato salad and fried carp.Then people often pour molten lead into cold water.
When they take lead out from it they can guess their future. There is the next tradition – Into
half of walnut shale give small candle and light it. Give it into the bowl with water. Whose „boat“
stay light as last, its owner will have long and healthy life. However, there are lots of different
traditions for example singing carols.

4. Presents
In our country Jesus brings presents for us. He puts presents under the christmas tree. Then he
rings on bell. It is a sign. We can unwrap our presents. Some nations unpack their presents in the
morning after Christmas Eve. In the Czech Republic we get presents after dinner and singing carols
on 24th. But to get some presents we have to write letter for Jesus and put it on the window.
Then Jesus take it. My family usually write letter on the 1st of December.

5. Past and presence
In the past people had decorations on christmas tree from straw. Now we have got colourful
decorations from glass. People ate carp but today a lot of people prefer different fish for example
salmon. People also went on christmas midnight mass. Now there aren´t so many people who go to
church. However there are some things which are the same. For example baking gingerbread and
sweets.