Young in Europe - Christmas traditions.

During the Christmas Holidays the most wonderful tradition is carolling. Carols are the songs with which children, young people or even adults welcome Christ’s coming to the world.
In Romania, as well as in other Eastern European Christian countries, the Magi are celebrated at the same time as Christmas. The “walking with the star” takes place in the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve. Examples of Romanian star songs with anonymous author
Oh, what wonderful news! (“O, ce veste minunată!”), We went carolling (“Am plecat sa colindăm”), Up at the heaven's gate (“Sus la poarta raiului”), On the streets of Bethlehem “(Pe străzile din Viflaim”).

Traditional Christmas food besides carolling and decorating the tree, we also have some traditional food for the holidays. One of the tastiest meals is ‘stuffed cabbage leaves’ (sarmale), which is made with cabbage leaves stuffed with minced meat. It’s delicious! A popular dessert is ‘sweet bread’ (cozonac). A lot of people like it with cocoa, Turkish delight and nuts. ‘Boeuf salad’ is another appreciated meal. It consists of diced boiled vegetables like carrots, potatoes, pickled cucumbers, peas and meat with a thin layer of mayonnaise. All the family members like children, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles meet on Christmas Day to enjoy the delicious meals.

The Christmas tree is usually natural or artificial. It is traditionally associated with the celebration of Christmas. It’s brought into homes and decorated with Christmas lights (initially there were candles, but nowadays people use string lights), ornaments, garlands, candies and sweets (in the period before Christmas). The tradition says that the Christmas tree is decorated on Christmas Eve, on December 24, an angel or star may be placed at the top of the tree. This activity is one of the most beloved traditions for Christmas, everyone enjoying decorating the tree and spending time with their loved ones.

Tradition from the folklore. When two people meet on Christmas day one says ’’Christ is born’’ and the other answers ’’Indeed He is born!’’. On Christmas morning it is said we should go and wash our face with water, in which we put a silver coin. We will be as clean as silver. On Christmas night many people leave a candle lit, often at the icon of Jesus, so luck will see the house in the dark and will come inside. When people don’t receive carolers, close doors or don’t offer gifts (apples, nuts, oranges, money etc), the magic effects are the opposite-for not respecting the rules of this tradition.

The Christmas tree is usually natural or artificial. It is traditionally associated with the celebration of Christmas. It’s brought into homes and decorated with Christmas lights (initially there were candles, but nowadays people use string lights), ornaments, garlands, candies and sweets (in the period before Christmas).

The tradition says that the Christmas tree is decorated on Christmas Eve, on December 24, an angel or star may be placed at the top of the tree. This activity is one of the most beloved traditions for Christmas, everyone enjoying decorating the tree and spending time with their loved ones.

When two people meet on Christmas day one says ’’Christ is born’’ and the other answers ’’Indeed He is born!’’. On Christmas morning it is said we should go and wash our face with water, in which we put a silver coin. We will be as clean as silver. On Christmas night many people leave a candle lit, often at the icon of Jesus, so luck will see the house in the dark and will come inside.
When people don’t receive carolers, close doors or don’t offer gifts (apples, nuts, oranges, money etc), the magic effects are the opposite-for not respecting the rules of this tradition.