How to celebrate New Year and Christmas in Russia

Hello, my dear friends.
I want to travel the world to see how people live in different countries, to study traditions, but, unfortunately, I can not afford it. I know that in other countries there are people who also can not travel. Therefore, I want to tell you about the traditions of my country. Today I will tell you about Christmas traditions. If you are in the comments on this post, tell us about the Christmas traditions in your country, it will be great! :) We all learn something new and interesting.

In Russia, New Year and Christmas are two different holiday. Until 1918 our ancestors celebrated only Christmas. This holiday combines two events: the beginning of the new year and the birth of the child Jesus. In 1917, in Russia, the Communists seized power and banned faith in God, the law approved the New Year holiday, which we celebrate on the night of December 31 to January 1. People concealed their belief in God, but they did not give. Celebrated Christmas secretly. Fear of being discovered is added to the Christmas mystery.

Preparation for the New Year begins a few days before the holiday. Parents buy a living Cristmas tree. In the evening, the whole family gathers near a treeand decorated it with various ornaments. In rich families, colored glass balls hang on the Christmas tree. In poor families, a simple decoration hangs on the tree. The installation of the Christmas tree and its decoration have become a family tradition for all residents of Russia.

I remember how my childhood experiences always await the wonderful fulfillment of my desires. Now I'm an adult but like a child waiting for a miracle and fulfillment of desires. In the New Year's eve, parents hide the presents under a Christmas tree. In the morning the parents tell the children about that night came Grandfather Frost. Our Grandfather Frost is the same as Santa Claus.

In the evening of December 31, many people go to visit their friends or relatives. There are many different dishes on the holiday table and a lot of alcohol. The most traditional and most favorite dish of the New Year's table salad "Olivier". Despite the French name, this salad has nothing to do with France and Mr. Olivier. This is a meat salad. In its composition boiled eggs, boiled meats, boiled potatoes, pickled cucumbers, onion, marinated peas and mayonnaise.

Still waiting when the time is 23:59. At this time, on television, the President congratulates the people of Russia. After the greeting, the sound of a large Kremlin watch was broadcast. The sound of the Kremlin clock resembled the sound of a bell. Call the clock exactly 12 times. The last twelve sounds coincide with the time 00:00. At that moment everyone was shouting greetings with the beginning of the New Year. All that I like about this holiday, because everyone has a hope that in the new year life will be better and fulfilled with dreams. Many people write their wishes on small sheets of paper. When the Kremlin clock first makes a sound, all people open champagne, pour it into crystal glasses and set fire to pieces of paper with their wishes. The paper holds your fingers and waits for the paper to completely burn. The desire will be granted if the person has time to pour the champagne, wait for the complete burning of paper, throw the leftovers into a glass of champagne and drink champagne immediately after the twelfth strike of the Kremlin clock. Congratulating each other, many people go out and fireworks start.

Then some return to their homes and continue to celebrate, and some go to the central square of the city. In the square near the big city Christmas tree everyone is happy, everyone congratulate each other.

January 7 is Christmas in Russia. This is a religious holiday, therefore it is celebrated with family modestly and calmly. This is a consequence of the prohibitions of belief in God.

Young, unmarried ladies make Christmas rituals harmless on a Christmas night. The purpose of these rituals is to find a future husband. Rituals are many, and they are all different. For example, if you put a small mirror under the pillow, in the dream you sees future husband. There is a more serious ritual. On the table the two sets of mirrors. Between the mirrors put the candle and light it. The reflection of the first mirror is reflected in the second mirror. It's very similar to an endless corridor. The girl throws a spell and looks in the mirror corridor. After a while, she will necessarily see the face of her future husband in the mirror. This is a very dangerous ritual. There is a legend in which it is said that during a ritual, a mirror can be a demon. Therefore, these rituals are always conducted in non-residential premises.

All schools from 1 to 10 January is not working. Children vacation. Many institutions do not work. Break for adults:) These are holidays for all people in the country. So we celebrate New Year and Christmas in Russia.

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all photo by @dmiton