Christmas begins on 24 December in Croatia. As a primarily Catholic nation, Croats traditionally fast on Christmas Eve, meaning they eat no meat, sugar or fat. But fish is allowed, which why some delicious Croatian Christmas specialities are fish-based. Although 24 December is a working day, people may shut up shop early and head home so they can finish their preparations before sitting down for a late lunch with the family, later heading for Midnight Mass. 25 and 26 December are public holidays.
Presents
A bonanza awaits children at Christmas in Croatia since there is more than one gift-giving day. In central and northern Croatia, St Nicholas' Day (6 December) is the traditional day to give gifts to children who have been good during the year. Children who have not been so good are supposed to receive a festively decorated twig and forfeit the gifts. In reality most kids get a twig as a joke, as well as some sweets and smaller gifts. A similar holiday awaits children in northeast and south Croatia on St Lucy's Day (13 December). Christmas Day itself is nowadays the main event for exchanging gifts.
Photo by Jonathan Borba
Decorations
Although fir trees and fairy lights are nowadays the norm, in times past homes were decorated with seasonal fruits and ornaments made from plaited straw.
In the run-up to Christmas you'll find the shops sell little pots of lush green grass. This is wheat grass and is a bit of a swizz because you are supposed to sow wheat grains in a shallow dish on St Lucy's Day, and the resulting shoots on Christmas Eve symbolise your luck for the coming year. Sometimes the grass is tied with a patriotic ribbon on Christmas Eve, sometimes a candle is placed in the middle of the pot, with the light shining through symbolising the light of the human soul.
Don't throw these shoots away for they are special! You can plait them into eco-friendly ornaments to ensure boundless fertility in the coming year. Feed them to our feathered friends the birds, and they will flock to your aid in times of need.
Straw scattered under and on the dinner table or slept upon symbolises Jesus' birth in a stable. If you put this straw on your plum trees on St John's Day you are ensured a good crop.
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