Christmas Day, celebrated on December 25th, is recognized as a public holiday in Bosnia and Herzegovina by the people who follow Roman Catholicism. This celebration symbolizes the birth of Jesus Christ, which is widely commemorated worldwide. Bosnia and Herzegovina, being a multiethnic country with various religious beliefs, sees only part of its population, mainly the Catholic Croatian community, celebrating this holiday in this particular manner.
The celebration of Christmas in Bosnia and Herzegovina entails following several traditional customs and rituals. On Christmas Eve, families often gather together to decorate a Christmas tree and share a festive meal. Among the many traditions, 'Badnjak' is an essential component of the Christmas celebration, which involves bringing an oak log or branch into the house and burning it on the hearth. This centuries-old tradition symbolizes the warmth, happiness, and prosperity that Christmas brings into homes.
Alongside the family gatherings and food indulgence, the festive spirit of Christmas also reverberates through the churches in the form of worship and carol singing. Midnight mass is visited commonly by the Catholic community. Additionally, exchange of gifts and charity are also proudly exhibited during this holiday, reinforcing the values of love, sharing, and spreading delight to the less privileged. Nonetheless, it's important to mention that Bosnia and Herzegovina's unique cultural diversity means that not all citizens celebrate Christmas on the same day or in the same way, as the Serbian Orthodox community observes Christmas Day on January 7, according to the Julian calendar.