Every year, as Christmas approaches, I immerse myself in the magical atmosphere of anticipation and wonder. Especially if there's snow outside, or even if there's no snow, it immediately lifts my spirits for the whole day.✨✨ I also adore various kinds of decorations; my home always features different garlands, and there's always a Christmas tree decorated with ornaments. I even hang a garland on the curtains—it's the perfect atmosphere for Christmas and winter in general.✨❄️✨

This holiday is one of the most significant events of the year for many Slavic peoples. We decorate the tree, prepare traditional dishes, gather family and friends to spend time together. But this year, everything is different...

However, Christmas for us comes later than for Europeans. On December 31st, we celebrate New Year’s Eve, which is the most anticipated holiday and somewhat similar to Christmas.

For Slavs, Christmas is not just a religious holiday; it’s a time when the closest people gather, share warmth and joy. On the evening before Christmas, January 6th, we have Holy Evening, or Soothe Night. There must be 12 lean dishes on the table, symbolizing Christ's apostles. One of the main treats is kutya—a dish made of wheat, honey, and nuts, symbolizing abundance and prosperity.

After dinner, many people go to church for the Christmas service, where prayers are read and the birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated. Upon returning home, the festivities begin: singing, dancing, games. Children receive gifts, and adults exchange good wishes.

But this year, I will be alone. Not because I've lost someone or something unfortunate happened, but simply because circumstances have led my entire family to scatter to different cities, and my friends are busy with their own affairs. For the first time in many years, I will be celebrating Christmas in silence and solitude.

At first, it seemed strange and even a bit scary to me. How can you celebrate Christmas without the usual noise, laughter, and joy around? But then I realized that this is a unique opportunity for personal growth and self-discovery. Perhaps, it is precisely in the silence that I will be able to hear my inner voice and understand what is truly important in life.

Despite being alone, I decided not to abandon traditions. On the evening of January 6th, I will prepare kutya and other festive dishes. Of course, there will be fewer of them, as cooking so much food for one person is pointless. But the symbolism will remain unchanged.✨✨✨✨✨✨

I will set up a Christmas tree, decorating it with ornaments that hold memories of the past. These decorations are small pieces of my story, each reminding me of some important event or person.

In the evening, I will light candles, listen to Christmas carols, and reminisce about all the good moments that have been in my life. Perhaps I will even write letters to my loved ones to express gratitude for everything they've done for me.