Christmas in Croatia

Croatians don’t have any bizarre customs that may astonish foreigners. Croatian Christmas is a quiet religious celebration that stays true to its initial meaning.

The holiday season in Croatia begins with Saint Catherine’s Day, followed by Saint Barbara’s day and Saint Nicholas Day. Many Croatians strictly observe the Advent tradition and Nativity Fast.

However, Croatian Christmas Day celebrations aren’t at all solemn – people indulge in festive foods, drink, and have a good time with their loved ones.

Sveta Kata

Christmas preparations in Croatia start on November 25. This day is celebrated as Saint Catherine’s Day or the Feast of Saint Catherine, commemorating the martyr Saint Catherine of Alexandria.

Saint Catherine was born in 287 and was beheaded by Emperor Maximus ll when she was only 18. Nowadays, many Croatian towns organize concerts and other events in her memory.

Technically, the Feast of Saint Catherine has no connection with Christmas, but it marks the beginning of the holiday season for Croatians. Many people begin decorating their homes on November 25.

Here’s a fun fact – there’s a saying in Croatian translating as “get married before Saint Kate closes the door!” meaning that no weddings are allowed by the church after Saint Catherine’s Day.

Saint Nicholas Day

On December 6, Croatians celebrate Saint Nicholas Day.

Croatian kids look forward to this day to receive gifts, and adults commemorate the fourth-century bishop from Myra, who was deemed a saint for his good deeds and served as the prototype for Santa Claus.

On Saint Nicholas Day Eve, Croatian children clean their shoes and neatly place them on windows for Saint Nicholas to fill them with gifts.

The gifts are usually small and inexpensive, such as chocolates or small toys, because Croatian parents must also buy Christmas gifts.

Kids strive to behave well throughout the year, fearing that if they are naughty, they will be punished with a birch rod by Saint Nicholas’ evil companion Krampus.

Often, kids receive gifts and a birch stick, meaning that they’ve been both good and naughty throughout the year – a creative motivation from Croatian parents.

Christmas Log

On Christmas Eve, Croatians bring home a large log and burn it throughout the night. This tradition is known as badnjak and is similar to the Yule log custom observed in Scandinavia and some parts of central Europe.

The tradition has pagan origins – back in the day, people believed that the longest night of the year, the winter solstice, was full of dangers. The light of the fire protected them from evil spirits and welcomed spring.

Nowadays, the badnjak tradition has a different meaning – it commemorates the fire that shepherds made to keep Jesus and Mary warm throughout the night.

Decorating The Table With Wheat

Each December, Croatians grow wheat in their homes to display it on the Christmas table.

This unique Croatian Christmas tradition stems from a biblical story about Mary and Joseph running from Bethlehem when King Herod wanted to kill infant Jesus.

Mary and Joseph came across a framer sowing wheat and asked him to tell Herod’s soldiers that they had passed by a long time ago.

Then, a miracle happened, and wheat grew very tall, giving soldiers the impression that Mary and Joseph were indeed long gone.

Croatians purchase wheat seeds in farmer’s markets or grocery stores and sow them on December 4, Saint Barbara’s Day.

Saint Barbara embodies spring in the middle of winter, and Christians believe she’s the messenger of Christmas.

Saint Barbara is also the patron of farmers. When the wheat has grown and Christmas time arrives, Croatians decorate it with a national tricolor ribbon and place it on the festive table. Some people light a candle in the middle of the wheat.

Fasting Day

Croatians observe a strict fast on Christmas Eve until they arrive home from the Midnight Mass. Croatians don’t eat meat or drink alcohol but prefer light dishes, such as salted sardines, cod, and salads.

The most devoted Croatians observe the Nativity Fast from the first Advent, refraining from meat, alcohol, treats, and other indulgences. Thankfully, Croatian cuisine is rich with fish dishes that keep Croatians warm on chilly winter days.

Traditional Croatian Christmas Food

Croatian Christmas celebrations involve plenty of delicious food, but Croatians only indulge in savory meats and desserts on Christmas Day.

On Christmas Day, Croatians roast turkey, lamb, pig, or duck with optional herb and rice stuffing and serve it with potatoes. Popular winter dishes, such as lamb and potato stew or fish soup, are also on the menu.

Olivier salad, also known as the Russian salad, is an all-time Slavic staple food, and Croatians eat it throughout the entire winter holiday season. Olivier salad is made with eggs, carrots, potatoes, meat, green peas, pickles, and mayo.

Another traditional Croatian Christmas dish is sarma, cabbage rolls stuffed with meat and served with mashed potatoes. Peppers stuffed with mince and rice are another common Croatian Christmas food.

Dessert options are numerous, including the traditional cherry strudel topped with sugar powder that Croatians love to eat year-round.

Madjarica, translating as “Hungarian girl,” is a layered chocolate buttercream cake present at any Croatian celebration, from birthdays to Christmas.

Fritule, mini donuts with spicy citrus filling are a must for the Christmas feast. However, the star of the show is always the Croatian walnut roll, sometimes decorated with chocolate to resemble a log.

Mulled wine is a Croatian favorite holiday drink, but some people prefer regular wine. Rakija, a fruit-fermented brandy, is a must-try for every tourist.

Advent Wreath & Candles

Like most Catholics, Croatians consider the Advent season highly important and observe the Advent candle tradition. Croatians light a candle in an evergreen Advent wreath every Sunday for four weeks before Christmas.

The Advent season is the period of preparation for the birth of Jesus and his second coming. Croatian churches hold early morning masses and prayers throughout the entire season, and many Croatians devotedly attend them.

The Advent wreath’s circular shape symbolizes eternal life, and so do the evergreen boughs.

Each candle has a special meaning – the first represents hope and is known as the Prophet’s Candle. The second candle is Bethlehem’s Candle, and symbolizes faith.

The third candle is called the Shepherd’s Candle and symbolizes joy, and the last candle, the Angel’s Candle, represents peace. Some people also light the fifth candle on Christmas Eve, representing light.

Many Croatians make Advent wreaths themselves, but most people buy them at local Christmas markets. Local kids aren’t as involved in Advent’s religious side but love opening small gifts in Advent calendars – one for each day of the season.

Decorating The Christmas Tree

Christmas isn’t Christmas in Croatia without a fragrant fir or spruce adorned with baubles. Croatians believe that one can’t decorate the Christmas tree on any day – it must be a special day.

For this reason, most Croatians decorate it on Christmas Eve or Saint Nicholas Day. Historically, only wealthy people could afford glass baubles, at that time primarily made in Germany, and most decorated the Christmas tree with fruits and nuts.

Although Christmas tree ornaments are affordable these days, many Croatians still adorn their trees with organic decorations, mixing them with baubles, tinsel, bows, and string lights. Preserved candied fruits covered in gold are especially popular.

Handmade ornaments are widespread, usually sewn from felt and embroidered with Christmas symbols. Croatian Christmas tree is traditionally decorated by children, while parents take care of other areas of the house.

Croatians don’t typically hang stockings on the fireplace but ornate the doorways with garlands and windows with candle bridges. Religious people set up nativity scenes displaying Mary, Joseph, Jesus in his crib, shepherds, the Magi, a donkey, and an ox.

Gift Exchange

Croatians traditionally exchange gifts on Christmas Day. Children receive gifts either under the Christmas tree or in their shoes. However, the Croatian Santa is undefined. Some kids believe in good old Saint Nicholas.

Others think that gifts are brought by baby Jesus. But most Croatian kids await presents from Djed Božićnjak – Father Christmas, the Croatian version of Russian Ded Moroz. He may seem similar to Santa at first but is an entirely different figure.

Ded Moroz originates from Slavic folklore and wears an ornate floor-length blue coat. He walks with a magic stick and rides a sleigh pulled by three horses.

Croatians usually exchange gifts only with immediate family members and closest friends. Christmas for Croatians is a family holiday that must be spent with the dearest people. However, if Croatians are invited to someone’s home for Christmas, they usually bring liquor, coffee, or chocolate.

Midnight Mass Service

Like most Catholics worldwide, Croatians attend the Midnight Mass service on Christmas Eve night, commemorating the birth of Christ. Croatians fast until the church service and typically stay awake all night afterward.

Some Croatians also attend a Christmas mass on December 25 morning, but most spend the beginning of the day sleeping or cooking for the festive dinner.