Part 1 – Christmas Preparations
In ancient Ukrainian tradition, a proper celebration of Christmas and New Year required serious symbolic
preparations. Always, in time of harvest, people would make a Didukh, using stems of different grains (rye,
wheat, oats etc.) and pick out some soft fragrant hay. One was supposed to complete all work around the
household before Christmas Eve.
Usually, getting ready for the holidays, people thoroughly cleaned their homes, painted flowers on the fireplace,
laid the table with new or freshly washed table runners. It was customary to at least try and get new nice
clothes for all family members and buy new dishes.
Everyone was involved in the Christmas preparations, everyone from the eldest to the youngest had
responsibilities of their own. Grandmothers would make new pillows and teach the young ones to sing carols.
Young unmarried men and girls would get together to sing carols, make special costumes and rehearse Nativity
scenes, called ‘Vertep’.
On Christmas Eve - January 6 (the day often known as ‘Vilia’) families would wake up before dawn to perform
a special ritual - cook God’s food - kutya and uzvar. To do this, one was supposed to stack wood in the furnace,
a particular way, and light it with "live fire" (rubbing wood against wood or steel). Later on, of course, people
started using matches instead. To make kutya one used some previously prepared wheat – crushed and soaked,
as well as "untouched" water – water brought from the well before sunrise, which then people considered was
blessed in the night by the gods of sun. The same applied to ‘knysh’ – it was supposed to be baked before
dawn. A knysh is a ritual Christmas bread – made like any other kind of bread, it was considered the food of
ancestral spirits. Once these special dishes were made, the lady of the house would move on to cooking the
remaining of the 12 traditional dishes traditionally found on the Christmas table.
It was rather important for God’s food (kutya, uzvar) to be cooked before sunrise. The cooked wheat was
topped with some honey, walnuts, poppy seeds and raisins (wheat was considered a symbol of eternal life, and
honey - the eternal happiness of the saints in heaven). Var aka uzvar is a kind of stewed fruit juice made of
dried fruit (apples, pears, plums, cherries).
Once God’s food and knysh were ready, the eldest family member would welcome the first rays of the sun,
opening the doors to the house, barns, stables and even the gates, because it was believed that together with the
sun on this day the God of harvest also came down to earth, bringing those welcoming him prosperity and
wealth. Families would also use a ‘magic potion’ – poppy seeds – ‘showering’ all their animals to deter evil
spirits and making sure that everything was ready for the Holy Night. And only then the official festivities,
called ‘sviatky’ began. The father would take the eldest boy in the house by the hand and enter the barn,
carrying some ‘untouched’ water and three rye ears. There they would find the pre-prepared Didukh and 12
small bundles of hay. These were sprinkled-blessed with water as a way to ask God for good harvest in the year
to come.
Afterwards the Didukh and hay were carried to the house where the hostess greeted them with the knysh and a
lit candle. Then the Didukh was placed at the centre of the table, the hay used to cover the table and floor.
According to traditional Ukrainian beliefs Didukh was sort of the gathering place for all the ancestors, the
spirits of the house, and the good spirits of Lada. Christmas Eve was believed to be a very special time because
that was the night not only the spirits brought in with the Didukh, but also the gods of harvest and protectors of
domestic animals would join families and be hosted by them. One could consider it a sort of barter, because the
spirits provided protection and good fortune in return.
People were strictly forbidden from doing any work except for taking care of farm animals as long as the
Didukh was set on the table. Not only Christmas Eve was considered holy, but all the days through January
13th. Everyone was only expected to celebrate and have fun on these days.
The place of the Didukh in the house was called "Paradise" because it was believed to be the dwelling place of
the souls of ancestors and patrons of the family and the house.
Once some hay was laid on the table, it was covered with a runner for the good spirits, with some herbs or garlic
placed on each corner, and the another cloth for the people. The central dishes were solemnly brought in.
Kutya with the knysh placed on top, for the spirits to feast on, and beside it – uzvar, covered with palianytsia –
another ritual bread for people, and a candle stuck in it. Afterwards everyone patiently awaited nightfall. It was
customary to fast on this day so everyone eagerly waited for the festive supper to start.
Getting ready for Christmas supper everyone would wear their best clothes and waited to see the first start,
which symbolically marked the birth of baby Jesus. Walking outside the house the children would watch the
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night sky and once they saw the first star, they would rush back inside to let everyone know the long-awaited
good news. And this moment marked the beginning of the Holy supper.
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Part 2 – Traditional New Year’s and Christmas Ornaments
"In Slavic tradition ‘spiders’ (павук) were traditional New Year's and Christmas ornaments. Before the
Christmas holidays girls always had many tasks to complete. Besides getting ready for Malanka they also had
to clean, cook and make various home decorations, like the ‘didukh’, ‘spiders’ and ‘hedgehogs’. The
decorations were typically made on January 2. Girls would gather in secret, to make sure there were no men
with them, and start cutting straw, stringing it on a thread and forming squares and triangles of different size.
On Christmas Eve 'spiders' were hung from the central beam of the ceiling. Suspended on a thread made from
horse hair the decoration kept constantly spinning and moving, making the impression of a living being.
Apart from the ‘spiders’ people also made ‘hedgehogs’ – these were made of clay or dough with rye ears used
to made the creature’s needles. Nonetheless, the "spiders" were always the favorite decorations. Their
diamond-shaped toys actually resemble a spider's web, and the centre piece - a spider, protecting the house.
Spiders have always been considered desirable in people’s dwellings, because the world was believed to have
been created by a spider. There’s a belief that those who kill a spider will bring misfortune upon themselves.
Another belief stated that if there was a spider beside you, you were to expect news! In addition to that, in folk
tradition spiders are the embodiment of persistence and hard work. All the elements put together, with spiders
considered hard workers and news bearers there’s no wonder they were used as a means of letting everyone
know that Christmas was coming.
There’s also a legend, that after Jesus’ birth, when Herod the Great ordered his soldiers to find and murder
every baby around, a spider came down and made an incredible web to cover up the entrance to Mary’s hide
out, this way saving them both from death."
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Part 3 – Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve in every house people lit candles, fireplaces, and put wood pre-coated in honey and sprinkled
with bread grains into the fireplace. It was customary to try and maintain he fire lit until the very end of
Christmas festivities – ‘Old’ New Year (January 14th). Candles were believed to attract warmth and prosperity.
They were also lit to honor deceased relatives – so they helped you in the New Year.
Burning candles are a testimony of faith, the affiliation of humans to the divine light. Candles accompany
people throughout life - from baptism till death. This is a symbol of an individual’s willingness to meet with
God.
Once all the dishes are made, the fire lit and the first star up in the sky, families gather at the table. On
Christmas Eve inviting people over was not customary. It was believed that all the good or bad luck one gets all
year is brought upon by any Christmas guests. That is why, if people were in fact invited to share Christmas
supper, those were only the closest, best friends and family who only wished the very best to the hosts.
On Christmas, often you’d find a pie with a surprise inside – a penny, raisin, nut or pea. The host would divide
it amongst everyone at the table and whoever got the piece with the surprise filling was believed to get extra
lucky in the new year.
Other important elements on the Christmas table were:
- salt. Without it one cannot feel the full taste of dishes. The same way as people can’t really do good without
being in harmony with God. It was believed that salt brought out the true essence of people.
- garlic. It was placed on each corner of the table, under the tablecloth to draw away evil spirits. It was the
symbol of purification from sin, which poison human lives, a symbol of fertility and health.
On Christmas Eve, when clock strikes midnight, it was customary to open all doors to lure out any evil spirits.
Once it was just past midnight, the head of the family would open a window to let in Christmas, and the
happiness, luck, prosperity that came with it.
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Part 4 – Traditional Christmas Dishes
According to ancient Ukrainian folk tradition on Christmas Eve families got together for a festive dinner. It
was important that no one was late. On this day, our ancestors did not eat until the very evening. Only when
one saw the first star in the sky, which, according to biblical tradition announced the good news of Jesus’ birth –
Ukrainians would begin the festive meal.
Although Christmas Eve falls on the last day of Christmas (often known as Pylypivsky) lent, and all meals
cooked for this holiday are lenten, this night is often called a ‘rich supper’, as normally one finds 12 dishes (at
least) on the table. Traditionally, the Holy Supper includes the following dishes:
o Kutia
o Borshch with ‘ears’ (вушка – vushka – mushroom-filled mini dumplings)
o Mushroom soup
o Varenyky (aka perogies)
o Holubtsi (cabbage rolls)
o Pickled herring
o Marinated mushrooms
o Fish in aspic
o Sauerkraut
o Beans
o Uzvar (dried stewed fruit juice)
o Pampushky (sweet filling pastries, similar to donuts or fritters)
Here are instructions for making the two main Christmas dishes!
Kutia – is one of the main Christmas dishes and is a special kind of grain porridge. It’s usually cooked with
unground wheat, rice, oats or barley and sweet additives - honey, sugar, raisins, jam, candied fruits, dried fruits
etc. Grains symbolize eternal life and prosperity, and the sweetness of kutia is a symbol of heavenly bliss.
Kutia usually is made with honey syrup, made of water, cereal broth, poppy seeds, almond, hemp milk, nuts,
and various spices.
Here’s a simple classic kutia recipe:
Ingredients: 2 glasses of wheat, 1 glass of poppy seeds, 1 glass of nuts (typically walnuts are used), 50 grams of
raisins, 100 grams of honey.
Rinse the wheat with water and let it soak for a few hours. Then cook over medium heat until tender. Rinse the
poppy seeds with water, then pour some boiling water and leave for 20-30 minutes. Then drain the water and
crush the seeds until they become paste-like (you can use a coffee grinder or blender to save time, though
traditionally everything is done by hand). Crush nuts (you can add a variety of nuts) and roast them for a couple
minutes. Mix all the ingredients together, add raisins, honey, sugar and other dried fruit to your liking.
To make uzvar you'll need:
100g dried apples, 100g dried pears, 100g dried prunes, 50 g raisins, 3/4 cup honey (or as much or little as you
like it), water - 5 liters.
Rinse the fruit with hot water, then place in a pot, adding honey, raisins and a fair amount of water and cook
over medium heat for an hour. Once ready let the stew brew and cool off for another 3-4 hours and then serve
on your Christmas table.
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Part 5 – Sviatky
Sviatky (Christmastide) has always been considered one of the most joyous and fun holidays for all Slavic
nations. Throughout the whole time people tried to live merrily, do something special, living every day
following certain signs and divinations. Dreams, visions and signs were treated especially seriously and
carefully those days, as people believed that these had special powers during the Christmas holidays. It was
believed that the dreams you have on Christmas (Jan 6 going on Jan 7) are prophetic, especially on a full moon.
So often, girls would leave a candle and notebook beside their bed to write the dream down as soon as they
woke up and then decipher its meaning.
However the central ceremony was famous festive divinations. There was a tradition of Christmas fortune
telling with the help of a well. At midnight, girls would get together and in silence get some ‘pristine’ water
from the well. This water was believed to have magical powers. Every girl would then throw some of her
belongings into the bucket - a handful of grains, a ring or a little bouquet. They would then have a little girl fish
those out and hand back to the owners. Afterwards the girls would put the object under their pillow and if they
were lucky, they’d see their loved one, their future husband in their dreams.
Another fortune telling custom involved a rooster. People would scatter some grains on the floor and at
midnight they’d bring in a rooster (preferably a black one). Then they’d read the future by the rooster’s
behavior. If it ate all the grains, a good year was waiting for the hosts, and the girl who scattered the grains
would be getting married soon. If, on the other hand, the rooster refused to eat the grains, there might be
misfortune awaiting. For this ritual people also placed different objects around the animal. If, for example,
during the process the rooster looked in the mirror, the girl’s loved one would be handsome and a real dandy.
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Part 6 – HAPPY NEW YEAR!
New Year. Christmas. These are very special times for each and every one of us. In Ukraine, the festivities
usually began on January 6 with Christmas Eve and ended on January 19 with Epiphany, with New Year in the
middle – January 14 (people in Ukraine now celebrate January 1, but also don’t turn down an opportunity to
party an extra time, according to the old tradition). Entering a new period, a new year, we sanctify this time
with the best feelings, wishes of good luck, health, wealth and harmony in the family to others and to ourselves.
These very motives and sentiments make up the secular rituals of New Year celebrations in Ukraine: kutia
placed in the centre of one’s house as a way to honor the family - from the ancestors to the future generations;
generous ‘sowing’ of neighbors’ homes as wishes of good luck; carols to honor the hosts and their children.
Only when we get back to our spiritual sources, the bright lights of the Christmas tree will bring a real holiday
and real happiness to our homes. The way we honor our ancestors, cherish our traditions and our background,
will directly affect our today and the future of our family.
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Part 7 – Beliefs, Traditions, Customs
Signs and Folk Customs:
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If Christmas falls on a Sunday, which happens quite often, it means that in the summer we will
appreciate a good harvest.
If there’s a blizzard on Christmas, spring will arrive early.
Tree branches covered in frost on Christmas day and a clear starry sky are a delight to all farmers,
because it means that in the coming year the harvest will be great for grains.
A snowy Christmas means we’ll get to enjoy a warm early spring, otherwise, we won’t get to put our
winter coats away for quite a bit!
Christmas Do's and Don’ts:
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Since Christmas is a religious holiday, there are certain prohibitions. People believed that if you broke
these rules, you’d be facing serious consequences.
Under no circumstances was one allowed to kill animals during the Christmas holidays, especially hunt
them. Killing innocent creatures, their bloodshed would leave a dark mark on the whole year of your
life.
Take care of all your belongings, clothes in advance, as on Christmas it is forbidden to sew. Those who
violate the ban could have problems with their eyesight.
Wearing old clothes on Christmas was believed to bring bad luck. People believed this would bring
poverty in the New Year.
On Christmas Eve people made sure the first person to enter the house was a male. A woman entering
the house first could bring illnesses for those living in that house.
On Christmas people were not allowed to fight, steal or cheat.
Christmas Beliefs and Rituals to Attract Money Into Your Life:
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On Christmas, it is customary to go visit the closest people – family and friends. It is also important to
have people over at your place. Always offer the best treats to your guests with all sincerity.
Get yourself a gift for Christmas.
During the holidays, light 10 candles in your house. They will attract warmth into your life.
On Christmas day everyone should be happy, satisfied and fed. Only this way the people around you
will attract good fortune and prosperity into your life.
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Part 8 – Here's a little bit about how to celebrate Christmas Hutsul style!
“If there was no Christmas, Spring would not resurrect either” says a folk proverb.
Christmas is one of the biggest, most important holidays of the year. On Christmas, the sun comes into full
force. Every day, starting with Christmas, the sun gets stronger and warms up the cold ground. This is the
victory of light over darkness that carolers welcome with carols and "plyes".
Apart from carols, which are typical in every region of Ukraine, the Hutsul region is also famous for its "plyes"
(also sometimes called "plys", "plyas") - an ancient religious ritual dance. The dance dates as far back as the
ancient times, which is proved even by its slavonic name. The dance is part of the Christmas ritual and
performed with wishes made up by hutsul carolers accompanied by a special melody performed on trembitas.
The dancers are called "plyesuny", "plyesachi" or "plyesaky". An essential attribute of the "plyesuny" is a
"bartka" – a Hutsul ax, with a bell tied to on a strap. Bartka is a symbol of spiritual weapons. When performing
carols the dancers do a special typical movement with their axes – they swing it from the bottom to the top,
simultaneously moving it in circles.
Apart from its religious, ritual character "plyes" was also a way to make a little money. For this, the carolers
have a set of basic steps, similar to those in “Kolomyika” or “Kozachok”. Songs that accompany "plyes" are
usually of humorous character.
But becoming part of a caroler’s troupe isn’t as easy as it seems, and knowing many carols or being really eager
to go caroling doesn’t always do the trick! In Hutsulshchyna usually 8-13 men are chosen for caroling (carolers
troupes only included men, as Hutsuls strongly believe that women should stay at home and make sure
everything was going well there). In every troupe that a "vybirtsia" - a man who picks those to join him.
Usually this is someone connected to the church, or an influential, respectable local, known by everyone in the
area the carolers will be travelling. If a village is large, there can be more than one carolers troupes. The
"vybirtsia" or the chooser then picks out a "Bereza" - a leader to the carolers. Bereza has to know all the carols
and know which ones to pick to which house.
An important task for Bereza was to choose a good fiddler and trembita players, as well as the rest of the gang.
Even though, technically, it is Vybirtsia who chooses all the members, if Bereza was to disagree on a candidate,
he would not make the cut. You can easily tell the Vybirtsia in a group as he’s always holding a hand cross and
a bell.
An important character in Christmas carolers group is a "kin’" – a horse. Not literal, of course, a horse is the
man that carries the ‘besahy’ – a bag, in which carolers collect all they earn – treats, drinks, pastries and money.
Bereza always leads the way, be it entering or leaving a house. He’s the first to sit down at the table and the
carolers aren’t supposed to leave the table, until Bereza stands up. He then allows the carolers to dance and
entertain the hosts while making some money.
During carolling Hutsuls make a few steps forward, backward, then jump one each leg in turns, then squat, and
swing their axes. Local historians explained that this was a way to recreate ancient ideas about the movement
of celestial bodies and the changing seasons. During the singing and circular movements following the sun, the
host and his wife take turns in pouring some vodka for the dancers. The bells tied to their bartkas were very
well suited for that. When a caroler drinks, no one should dance. And it continues so until everyone has a shot.
For those who had apiaries, the carolers would do a special dance around the hives. Before starting, everyone
would take their hats off and place them on the ground in one pile, then they would begin making moves
imitating the flight and behavior of bees. In the meantime the hostess would put some wheat in everyone’s hat.
Once the carolers were done with their dance they would return all the grains to the woman as a symbol of bees
coming back home. Finally they would sing special chants and wishes which the owners of the house were
always happy to pay for. And because it’s a holiday and because it’s Hutusls we’re talking about – everyone
would try to outdo their neighbors and pay more than everyone else.
Early Christmas morning Hutsuls cook banush – made of corn flour and sour cream, served with huslyanka (a
Hutsul kind of yogurt\sour milk). Each Gazda (host) and Gazdynya (hostess) always look forward to the
carolers visit.
Hutsuls believe that as long as carolers go from house to house wishing good luck - people will live in peace.
Video Links: www.youtube.com/watch?v=58ZXfzMb67s, www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEST3A7hMnk,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LCPsO8ffI0, www.youtube.com/watch?v=chN5aifJBqI
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Part 9 – Vertep
Most of you probably know and love Vertep - carolers enacting nativity scenes while singing Christmas carols.
But here's a little bit about the origins of 'vertep' in its original form. Enjoy!
Vertep is a venerable form of Ukrainian Puppet Theater. The origins of the name vertep may be related to the
verb vertitysia ‘to whirl,’ as do rays about a star,or to the word 'yaskynia' or cave. The vertep performance is a
standardized enactment of the Nativity with merry interludes depicting secular life, in the style of an intermede.
There are 10 to 40 vertep characters, typically among them a sacristan, angels, shepherds, Herod, three kings,
Satan, Death, gypsies, a Jew, a peasant couple, and various animals. All the hand puppets are usually operated
by one person, the vertepnyk. The vertep is also the two-level stage in the form of a building in which the
performance takes place, the religious part on the upper level and the secular part on the lower.
Vertep performances date back to the late 16th century. They reached their height in popularity in the second
half of the 18th century. Many students from the Kyivan Mohyla Academy contributed to the development of
vertep puppet theater; its two-part performance was in part a reflection of the academy's style of theatrical
productions. Itinerant precentors were also responsible for popularizing vertepy. In time the specifications as to
vertep stage architecture; the number, character, and construction of the puppets; and costumes, music, and
scripts became well defined. The foremost village vertepy were in Sokyryntsi, Baturyn, and Mizhhiria. The
secular part in vertep performances often contained references to contemporaneous events; a Zaporizhian Kozak
puppet, for example, appeared during the reign of Catherine II.
Vertep theater declined in the mid-19th century. It has retained a symbolic significance, as in the miniature
Nativity scene displayed in Ukrainian homes during the Christmas season and in the Christmas carolers dressed
up as vertep characters. In the 20th century vertep theater has been revived as a zhyvyi ‘live’ vertep, with live
actors faithfully re-creating the traditional village vertepy.
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Part 10 – Kolyada
So what does it take to have a successful kolyada (caroling 'spree')? As it turns out – you don’t need much at
all! First you need to bring together a group of people, choose a ‘Zvizdar’ (star bearer) who will be the leader,
and a ‘Mikhonosha’ – the bag carrier, where the group’s gifts will be placed. And then you just need a good
mood, great voices and some holiday cheer. If people in the group know how to play musical instruments it
will be a great addition to your Vertep!
The carolers’ bag is something special. It’s where the hospitable hosts place generous gifts for good wishes and
songs of the carolers. The bag is carried by the Mikhonosha, but just like the rest of the group, Mikhonosha
can’t take any of the treats in his hand, the hosts always must put in directly inside the bag. You can decorate
the bag with embroidery or appliqué, or paint some ornaments. It is appropriate to decorate it with symbols of
the sun, the moon and stars or a tree with birds.
When a group first approaches a house they open with a carol summoning the owner of the house.
It’s good when the carolers have candles with them and can enter each home bringing in the flame, symbolizing
the birth of Light. When the carolers leave they leave the candle for the hosts to keep.
Once the hosts let the group in they first ask for the permission to carol. When the owner agrees, the carolers
take their hats off to honor the people living here and the holy icons. After finding out who exactly lives in the
house and what everyone’s names are, the carolers begin a series of songs individually designed for everyone in
the family – the father, mother, children etc.
When they’re done caroling the Star bearer spins his star and wishes everyone luck and health in the coming
year.
For their sincere congratulations carolers get generous gifts. And they make sure that the hosts truly are
generous. They have a rich stock of jokes to mock a scrooge or even ‘threaten’ them: to smash the gates, flip
the house, ruin the kiln (all three are symbols of peace, comfort and order); break plates and pots, steal the cow
and ‘unscrew’ its horns (symbols of prosperity).
That is why everyone always tries to leave the carolers in abundance of treats. Once the carolers are done with
songs and wishes, the hostess of the house brings out goodies and puts them in Mikhonosha’s bag. Thanking
the family the group goes on to many more houses.
Once they’ve visited every single house in the neighborhood, the carolers divide all the treats they’ve earned
and usually celebrate with a big zabava and a meal together.
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Part 11 – Traditions Connected to the Holy Supper
The first person to sit at the Christmas table was the head of the family, followed, by seniority, by other family
members. Everyone tried to make sure they cleared their seat of any spirit that might be sitting there, because it
was believed that all relatives – living and deceased always gathered in the same house on Christmas Eve.
During the Holy Supper no one but the hostess was supposed to leave the table. Everyone was supposed to be
serious, talk quiet and behave.
On Christmas Eve people didn’t go visiting others or lend/borrow things. Everyone stayed with family, and
even travelers always tried to get back home for the holidays.
Beginning the Holy Supper, the eldest man in the house took a spoonful of kutia and said a prayer for the
deceased ancestors, inviting them to dinner. For them, and for any family members absent at the dinner table
two sets of plates and glasses, that noone was allowed to use, were set at the table. Then, raising a glass, the
master of the house invited the rest of the family to join him in a prayer and then the supper began.
It was considered a good omen when homeless or poor people visited the house on Christmas Eve. The hosts
would generously treat such guests.
Traditionally, one would find at least 12 meatless dishes on the Christmas table. After dinner, which lasted
several (3-4) hours, kutia and some other dishes were not cleared from the table, left for the spirits to feast on.
They were also provided with a glass of water and a clean towel on the table.
After dinner, people began singing carols that ever since the pre-Christian times were dedicated to the creation
of the world, the God of the sun, productivity and good harvest. Then people performed certain fortunetelling
rituals, and finally they would give gifts to the children, parents, visitors and to each other, in the form of money
and treats, as a symbol of future prosperity and wealth.
After the Holy Supper it was not customary to go to sleep, especially for the hosts, who would only lay down to
get some rest, without changing out of their clothes to make sure they didn’t fall asleep. Candle light would be
seen in windows of every house as people believed putting out the holy flames was a bad sign, so they just had
to burn out on their own.
Early morning, before sunrise, ‘vinshuval’nyky’ – well wishers would start going from house to house. These
were always only boys, as people believed you would only get good luck if the first to visit your house was a
male. There’s thus no wonder that everyone was thrilled to have such visitors and always generously gifted
them with candy, apples, nuts and other treats.
January 7 people celebrated the 1st day of of Christmas (it was customary to celebrate through January 9). In
the morning the whole family or a few representatives went to church for a festive mass, which was devoted to
the birth of Jesus Christ. Returning from church people gladly greeted each other saying:
- Христос народився! - Славіте його! (Christ is born! Let’s glory him!)
And then the festivities continued! People enjoyed feasts, invited friends and family and visited friends and
family. They would gather for zabavas and went caroling and enjoyed the special atmosphere of the Christmas
holidays.
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