Christmas in European way

Christmas - special time in Europe. It's the way we celebrate New Year Eve in our part of the world. You notice it when you see the streets lighted up in colors and shapes providing tale like atmosphere to the city. Christmas carols being played, Christmas trees appearing from nowhere like the mushrooms after rain, big discounts at the shops, Christmas markets on the main squares, food, drinks, cheers and laughs... as it is almost in all Christian countries. (Russians celebrate Christmas on 7-January)

What to eat? What to drink? Where to go?

Central Europeans do it their own way and they cook carp soup as main Xmas dish. Thus carp sales hit the ceiling, and streets are full of booths selling carp. One morning I was astonished by 4 huge buckets full with carps right in front of our flat! I could see similar views everywhere on the streets.


The best places to try Christmas snacks and drinks are the Christmas markets. The most popular drink is hot wine, what could be better in cold weather! Yet I don't drink so never tried it, but others usually like it. Another popular drink is grog. These Christmas markets also sell lots of souvenirs, thus one of the most top tourist attractions. Anyway, you come to Central Europe in this time to feel and experience the Christmas atmosphere. I enjoyed Christmas atmosphere in Prague last year, but this year I experienced it in Berlin and Budapest, and I experienced real European Christmas in family environment with dear friend Gitti's family in Bekes (Hungary). In Berlin, sausages are the main snacks at the market (they can be as long as 1 meter!). Also, they have apple candies; I tried the one with the apple covered with chocolate coating. Fancy but not cheap - 3 euros for an apple with some chocolate! And all the other snacks that I don't even remember their names.

Christmas market in Prague

Christmas tree and market in Old Town Square in Prague

Christmas light-up in the streets of Budapest

Christmas snacks at the market in Berlin

It's all about gifts! Giving hand stands higher than taking hand.

After traditional dinner on Christmas evening, there will be gift exchange. Not like in US where you find your gift in the socks when you wake up! Here they don't try to cheat kids. All the gifts should have been already put near Christmas tree even before that. Then everyone gets their gift (names written on them) and unwrapping procedure starts. That's why you better prepare your gift long before as it approaches shops are overcrowded with people buying presents. In fact, shops offer really good prices on everything.

Gifts all ready in Gitti's house

It's all about forgiving

Forgive and be forgiven.

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