Celebration

Winter is coming and bringing the spirit of the Christmas holidays. I like this season so much. You can feel the smell of the coming Christmas and New Year in the air, especially with the first falling snow. All landscapes become white and fairy. People decorate their houses with garlands and wreaths! The lights are on and everything around is so magical, especially in the evening.

During this period nostalgia for my native country grows very strong. In Ukraine, we used to celebrate New Year and Christmas holidays with a family. Christmas is the main day of the year. On Christmas Eve, people from different generations of the family gather at one festive table. Traditionally, Christmas dinner consists of 12 dishes that symbolize 12 apostles, among them kutia, pampushkas, fish, varenyky, uzvar. The main attribute at the festive table is Didukh, it is made from a sheaf of wheat and literally means "Grandfather spirit". A lighted candle is placed near the icons and the head of the family pronounces a prayer. A mystical and magical atmosphere around.

After dinner, people meet friends and neighbors and start Christmas caroling or Koliada. They sing traditional songs and wish all the best for the coming New Year.