Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve is December 24th. Many Slovaks imagine this day under the word Christmas.
-by Natália M.-
Morning
In the morning, religious families go to church. We don't have breakfast in the morning because we fast all day until the dinner. After they come home, they decorate the tree. Every family has a different tree. It is really exciting for children because they spend time together with their parents, laughing and creating beautiful memories.
During the day
During the day, children watch Christmas fairy tales or when it's snowing outside they go sledding down the hill. Adults are preparing dinner. This includes killing and frying carp, cooking cabbage soup, making potato salad and so on. It takes a lot of time and experience. Sometimes they play some Christmas music and sing along with the song.
Table setting
After the dinner is ready, someone sets the table. The whole family sits at one table. Each has its own plate, cutlery and glass.
There is also a lighted candle, fruit on the plate and waffles with honey and garlic on the table.
Then the whole family sit down for dinner.
Dinner
A typical Christmas dinner starts with prayer. Before eating a cabbage soup, everyone has one waffle with honey and garlic. Then the cabbage soup and fried carp with potato salad is served. Children tend to eat it very quickly because they can't wait to unwrap their presents. There is a very nice atmosphere during the dinner.
After dinner
After the dinner, everyone sits around the Christmas tree and find presents for them. Everyone buys something for someone else, but small kids believe Santa brings presents.
Then the family goes to midnight mass at 11 p.m.
Traditions
I have already mentioned some of our traditions. But let's have a look at some Christmas traditions on this day.
Carp scale
After we kill the carp, we take one of his scales into our wallet. We keep it there all year long. It should bring us money.
Candle
We always lit the candle during Christmas dinner in memory of the deceased.
Getting up from the table
We never get up from the table during Christmas dinner, because it can bring us death or misery to our families.
Halving apples
We halve apples because if we find star made of apple seeds, it can bring us happiness and health.
Money under the tablecloth
We put some money under the tabelcloth during Christmas dinner. It should bring money and wealth to our family.