Hi, we hope you´re doing fine! This is a letter about our Christmas traditions and we would love to hear about yours! We are four girls from Strandskolan, Tyresö, Sweden, but one of us is from Ukraine. So that is why a few of the traditions are a little different.
One thing we all have in common is that we all decorate to prepare for Christmas.
For example we decorate our Christmas trees and we set up stars in our windows, called “julstjärna” in Swedish. How do you prepare for Christmas?
One other thing we all have in common is that we eat special food for Christmas.
Although the Christmas food is not the same in Ukraine as in Sweden. Here in Sweden we eat meatballs, sausage and potatoes. We also eat herring in all kinds of flavors and types, and a lot of other things as well. However in Ukraine you don’t eat that kind of food, you eat for example Kutja, a porridge with berries, raisins and honey. What type of food do you eat?
In both Sweden and Ukraine we have Christmas calendars, filled with small treats. You open one hatch each day in December until Christmas. Do you usually have a calendar for Christmas countdown?
In Ukraine you also get a small gift under your pillow on the 19th December.
Another tradition is that we dance around the Chrstmas tree holding each others hands and sing songs. This isn't a tradition in Ukraine, but dancing and singing is still something you do. One very popular song in Ukraine is “Carol of the Bells”.
Are there any famous Christmas songs in your country?
A tradition that is especially appreciated by childrens is the Christmas presents under the Christmas tree, that you get to open on Christmas eve. What do you wish for Christmas? At three o'clock you can watch “Kalle Anka” , a Christmas edition. It's only available once a year.
We hope you got to know a little bit more about our traditions, and we look forward to getting a reply from you!
Merry Christmas from us to you!
Amanda, Harriet, Alba and Anastasiia.
