In Ukraine, Christmas is a very family holiday, so most of the traditions were formed in the family circle. Ukrainian Christmas traditions combine ancient rituals and church customs.

Advent fasting is one of the main rites that believers adhere to before Christmas. Just before the holiday, you have to clean the house and stock up on what you need to survive the winter. People decorate the house with new or clean towels, icons and potions. A special decoration of the house is the didukh, which symbolizes the spirit of ancestors, prosperity and wealth.

Holy Evening or Christmas Eve is the evening before Christmas, from which the celebration begins. From the very morning, the housewives cook and decorate the house. With the appearance of the first star, which symbolizes the birth of Christ, the family gathers together and sets the table with 12 Lenten dishes. The main dish of the evening is kutia - boiled wheat with poppy seeds and honey, walnuts and raisins.

Carols are ritual songs that are performed in all regions of Ukraine on the eve of Christmas. On a festive evening, it is customary to carol with a big star in your hands. Boys and girls go from house to house and sing Christmas carols in exchange for sweet gifts and coins.

Divination for Christmas is another long-standing Ukrainian tradition. Many believe that fortune telling on Christmas Eve will help to know the future. The girls are trying to find out their fate, the name of the future groom and whether they will get married.

Christmas morning should definitely be spent with the family. People congratulate each other with the words "Christ is born!" and the answer "Praise Him!". On this day, they attend divine services in honor of the birth of Christ, and then go on a visit and celebrate the holiday, no longer limited to fasting dishes.
►It is customary to visit at Christmas. If two men enter the house first, there will be no quarrels and strife at home for a whole year. If a girl - expect gossip and failure.

►If you pray on Christmas night for something very important, God will hear and fulfill your desire.

►If a girl does not have time to dress up before Christmas, then she will either marry a poor man, or will be unloved in marriage.

►The more carolers visit the house, the more prosperity and wealth will be in the family over the next year.

►If a bird knocked on the window for Christmas, then you will receive good news.

►All dishes on the table must be tasted.

►If you play a wedding on Christmas, then the marriage will be long and happy.

► Breaking dishes for Christmas or spilling something is a quarrel.