Christmas Day, known locally as Božić, is celebrated with great pomp and show in Croatia. It is a public holiday and one of the biggest religious holidays in the country. The preparations for the event often start from the Advent, at the end of November, with people lighting candles, attending special masses in churches, and decorating their homes and public spaces with lights and colors.
Traditionally, Croatians spend Christmas Eve preparing for the big feast on Christmas Day. The feast typically features various Croatian delicacies such as baked turkey or piglet, cod, sarma (cabbage rolls), and a variety of cakes and sweet dishes. A unique Croatian Christmas custom involves a Yule Log, or Badnjak, which is a log or branch that's brought into the house and lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning. It's a symbol of the warmth and spirit of Christmas that Holmes described.
The customs related to Christmas Day in Croatia vary region by region. However, family gatherings, exchange of gifts, and caroling are common across the country. Carolers ('koledari') go from door to door spreading good wishes. Some coastal areas and islands have their unique customs, like 'ljama' processions on the island Hvar where masked participants perform choreographed dances. Despite the regional differences, the common theme of Christmas Day celebration in Croatia is love, joy, and unity.