Christmas has been Ukrainians’ biggest holiday for many centuries, and traditionally very thorough preparations were made for this holiday. Some preparations, in fact, were made well ahead of the holiday itself.
For instance, the Didukh, a Ukrainian Christmas decoration, was usually prepared during the harvest period and was traditionally made from different grain crops: rye, wheat, and oats.
As part of the preparations, people thoroughly cleaned their homes, and according to custom laid out new tablecloths and towels for the holidays.
Also, everybody tried to make or buy new clothes for all members of the family, and obtain new plates and dishes. Festive wax candles were also made.
Young men and women gathered together to practice singing carols, and to make traditional costumes to wear when performing verteps, or nativity plays, to tell the story of Christmas.
Preparing for Christmas dinner, all members of the family put on embroidered clothes and eagerly waited for the first star to appear.
According to tradition, there had to be 12 different dishes on the table on Christmas Eve.
Once the first star appeared in the sky, the children declared Christmas to have arrived, and the host began the dinner with a prayer. The whole family came together, and there was a festive Christmas mood in the house.
While the adults talked, the children would try various delightful foods, and play games together.
Outside, carol singers and vertep players could be heard.
Everything you need for Christmas and New Year: textiles, ceramics, embroidered clothes and gifts you can buy at the Narodniy Dim Ukraine.
This was the true Ukrainian Christmas!
Ukrainian souvenirs and gifts store
4, Prorizna St., Kyiv
+38 044 539 17 00
+38 096 539 17 00
Mon – Fri 8:30- 20:00,
St – Su 9:00-20:00
nd-ukraine.com
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