New Year and Christmas in Ukraine
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And so, the holidays are approaching and I think it’s time to talk about the two most famous winter holidays. These are the New Year and Christmas. What can I say about them? In Europe and Ukraine, they are celebrated differently. While all over the world Christmas is more important than the New Year, in Ukraine it is the other way around.
NEW YEAR
In Ukraine, the New Year is more important to people and is considered a family holiday. The whole family gathers at the same table on this day and every year they watch the President’s greetings on TV. The main attributes of the holiday are a Christmas tree, a lavish table with lots of food, a garland and happy faces of family and friends.
CHRISTMAS
Not so long ago, our country began to celebrate Christmas on the same day as other countries, namely on December 25. Before that, we celebrated it on January 7, but due to the situation in the country, we changed the date. Christmas is no less an atmospheric holiday. Ukrainians associate “Carol of Bells” with it. “Carol of Bells” is a world-famous Ukrainian piece. Every year on Christmas Day, happy children go from house to house and sing carols, bringing joy and smiles to people with their singing.
HOW THE SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY AFFECTS THE HOLIDAYS AND THE ATMOSPHERE ON THE STREETS
Unfortunately, the realities of the situation in the country make it difficult to celebrate, but even so, our people find the strength to bring joy to the people and children around them. Although we cannot implement many of the traditions, it does not mean that we do not have a festive atmosphere on the streets. Every city has Christmas trees, which each city decorates in its own way. Many shops and shopping centers decorate their premises with various trinkets to give people a sense of celebration.
A HOLIDAY IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF UKRAINE
For example, in Kharkiv, literally on every corner you can see statuettes wrapped in garland, glowing with bright colors. New Year’s music is played in many places. Each metro station is decorated with different reindeer, some brightly colored ornaments, garland or rain.
In Kyiv, in the very center of the city, you can hear people taking to the streets with instruments and playing New Year’s melodies, and it is not uncommon for people passing by to sing along. Many stores ask their employees to wear New Year’s hats and greet visitors.
In Lviv, it is not uncommon to see people who have gone out just to feel the New Year’s atmosphere. Garlands are hanging on every house, and vehicles are also decorated from the inside, which immediately reminds us that the holiday is coming.
FOOD ON THE HOLIDAY TABLES
On the eve of Christmas and New Year, it is almost impossible to get to a store because people are buying for the holiday tables. Every family wants to make a cozy corner in their homes to be happy for a moment and not think about any problems. On average, according to statistics, people spend $150 on a standard New Year’s dinner. The essential foods and dishes on New Year’s Eve are tangerines, Olivier, red caviar sandwiches and a fur coat.
Since Christmas is a less important holiday in our country, the average cost of the table is about $90. The main dish on Christmas Eve is Kutia, but according to tradition, there should be 11 other dishes, and each family chooses what they want to see on their Christmas table, but Kutia should be present on every table that night.
GIFTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Not long ago, we changed our most famous New Year’s character to another one. Yes, yes, I’m talking about Santa Claus. Now we tell our children about Santa Claus instead. On New Year’s Eve, all parents want to make their children believe in miracles, and as soon as the children go to bed, their parents quietly go to the Christmas tree and put gifts under it. Every child knows that on the morning of January 1, the first thing they have to do is run to the tree because Santa Claus has left a present for them. But not only parents give gifts to their children, but also adults give gifts to their loved ones. It can be anything, but according to statistics, the most popular gift is New Year’s knitted socks.
MUSIC
During the New Year holidays, the most popular thing that gives a sense of joy is music. In our country, Serdyuchka, Shchedryk and any foreign music are the most favorite performers and songs during this period of time. Usually, no feast is complete without them. Of course, each family chooses its own singers, but these three are the main ones who give the New Year’s mood.
This concludes my story about our celebration, and I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Glory to Ukraine!