Why do czechs celebrate christmas

December 24 is Adam and Eva's name day. The Christmas tree is decorated with traditional Czech Christmas ornaments in many households and preparations are made for the most festive dinner of the year. Christmas Eve is associated with many superstitions that usually relate to life, love, and destiny that awaits one in the year to come. Visit our Czech Christmas Customs and Superstitions page for a detailed list. Christmas Dinner Dinner is served after sunset traditionally, it should not be served until after the first star has come out and consists of carp and potato salad, sometimes preceded by mushroom, sauerkraut or fish soup.

Did you know that carp can supposedly be prepared a hundred different ways? Christmas carp is specially raised in manmade ponds and then sold from large tubs placed on the streets and town squares a few days before Christmas. Moreover, the brightly decorated wooden huts sell traditional handicrafts which are the perfect Christmas gifts : glassware, jewelry, embroidered lace, wooden toys, metalware, ceramics, scented candles, Christmas tree ornaments, hats, gloves and scarves, and puppets and dolls beautifully dressed in traditional costumes.

The official Christmas celebrations traditionally start with St. Nicholas Day on 5th December. It is the most popular advent holiday in the Czech Republic. Nicholas is believed to come on December 5th bringing apples, nuts, and candies , along with his friends, a devil — who carries a whip, and takes the naughty children away, and an angel who appeals on their behalf. The holiday is a reminder that baby Jesus is on his way, and a day where good children receive small gifts , chocolates, apples, etc.

Nicholas shares a toast with the parents. The featured meal for the traditional Christmas Eve dinner in the Czech Republic is not turkey, like in many other countries , but fried carp. The side dishes include potato salad and boiled red cabbage. The most curious fact about the Christmas dinner is that the carp is bought alive a week before that night or a few days prior it.

The carp is kept alive in the bathtub until ready for cooking on the day of Christmas Eve! When preparing the fish, you have to clean it from fish-scales and that is when Czech tradition comes in hand.

If you put one clean fish-scale into your wallet , the Czechs believe that it should bring you more money in the new year. Believe it or not, in the Czech Republic it is not the Santa Claus who brings the presents for the kids on Christmas, but the Baby Jesus! Just like sugar and spice, carp and potato salad go hand and hand for the Czech Christmas food. While the recipe varies from family to family, the main ingredients are boiled eggs, potatoes, mayonnaise, pickles, and vegetables.

We recommend making the potato salad one day in advance to allow the flavors to settle. Of course, to experience Czech traditions and cuisine with a local guide, visit us in Prague our food tours also make great Christmas gifts!

Merry Christmas! Now he's turned his passion into food tours, so Eating Europe guests can also share a taste of local life read more. Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive offers, discounts and the best in food and travel advice across Europe. Kolace is one of the sweetest dough recipes. Most suitable for picnic and wedding season…a fitting time to pass along the recipe for the traditional Cz Easter in Europe is an important holiday across many cities and countries — for families and children alike.

Children throughout Europe are often told In many ways, all of Prague is like a living, breathing, outdoor museum. I was wondering if you have any websites that I can order some prepared or frozen food from. I usually cook the whole meal myself from scratch but our family is getting larger and I need to think about streamlining a little, so mostly main courses, or deserts would be a help.