5 Ways To Celebrate Czech Christmas Traditions

Christmas in the Czech Republic is a magical time, filled with unique traditions and customs that make the holiday season even more special. From delicious treats to festive decorations, Czech Christmas traditions are a reflection of the country's rich history and culture. In this article, we'll explore five ways to celebrate Czech Christmas traditions and make your holiday season even more memorable.

Czech Christmas Traditions: A Brief History

Christmas traditions in the Czech Republic date back to the Middle Ages, when the country was a part of the Holy Roman Empire. The holiday season was a time for feasting, singing, and storytelling, and many of these customs have been passed down through generations. Today, Czech Christmas traditions are a unique blend of Catholic and pagan influences, reflecting the country's complex history and cultural heritage.

1. Decorating the Christmas Tree

In the Czech Republic, Christmas trees are typically decorated on Christmas Eve, known as Štědrý večer. The tree is adorned with traditional ornaments, such as glass balls, wooden figurines, and candles. The most iconic Czech Christmas ornament is the "jejíček," a small, intricately designed wooden figurine depicting a boy or girl. To create a traditional Czech Christmas tree, use a mix of glass and wooden ornaments, and don't forget to add a few jejíček to give it a unique touch.

Traditional Czech Christmas Tree Ornaments:

• Glass balls in various colors and sizes
• Wooden figurines, such as saints, animals, and fairy-tale characters
• Jejíček, small wooden figurines depicting boys or girls
• Candles, preferably made of beeswax
• Fresh greenery, such as fir branches and holly

2. Preparing Traditional Czech Christmas Food

Czech Christmas cuisine is hearty and delicious, reflecting the country's love for meat, bread, and sweet pastries. Traditional Czech Christmas dishes include roasted goose, carp, and svíčková, a beef dish served with cream, sugar, and bread. To create a traditional Czech Christmas menu, try preparing some of these dishes:

Traditional Czech Christmas Dishes:

• Roasted goose with potato dumplings and red cabbage
• Carp with potatoes and parsley
• Svíčková, a beef dish served with cream, sugar, and bread
• Trdelník, a sweet pastry made from rolled dough and topped with sugar and walnuts
• Vanilkové rohlíčky, vanilla-flavored Christmas cookies

3. Singing Czech Christmas Carols

Singing Christmas carols is a beloved tradition in the Czech Republic, and many Czechs gather around the piano or fireplace to sing festive songs. Some traditional Czech Christmas carols include "Půjdem spolu do Betléma" (Let's Go Together to Bethlehem) and "Nesem vám noviny" (We Bring You News). To create a festive atmosphere, gather your family and friends and sing some traditional Czech Christmas carols.

Traditional Czech Christmas Carols:

• "Půjdem spolu do Betléma" (Let's Go Together to Bethlehem)
• "Nesem vám noviny" (We Bring You News)
• "Štědrý večer nastal" (Christmas Eve Has Arrived)
• "Měsíčku svítí" (The Moon is Shining)

4. Creating a Czech-Style Nativity Scene

A traditional Czech nativity scene, known as "jesličky," is a colorful and intricate display of wooden or ceramic figurines depicting the Nativity scene. To create a Czech-style nativity scene, use a combination of wooden and ceramic figurines, and don't forget to include some traditional Czech characters, such as the "robber" and the "angel."

Traditional Czech Nativity Scene Characters:

• The Holy Family (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph)
• The Three Wise Men
• Angels
• Shepherds
• The robber, a character unique to Czech nativity scenes
• Animals, such as sheep and donkeys

5. Exchanging Gifts on Christmas Eve

In the Czech Republic, Christmas gifts are exchanged on Christmas Eve, known as Štědrý večer. This tradition is believed to have originated from the Catholic custom of exchanging gifts on the eve of the Epiphany. To create a traditional Czech Christmas gift-giving experience, gather your family and friends on Christmas Eve and exchange gifts in a festive atmosphere.

We hope this article has inspired you to celebrate Czech Christmas traditions and make your holiday season even more memorable. Whether you're decorating the Christmas tree, preparing traditional Czech Christmas food, or singing festive carols, we wish you a joyous and peaceful holiday season.