In the Czech Republic, Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25 as it is in many other countries around the world. The holiday season is a festive period filled with traditional customs and ceremonies. The festivities actually commence from December 24, known as Generous Day, followed by Christ's Day on December 25, and St. Stephen's Day on December 26. This period is characterized by peace, love, and joy, as families get together to celebrate, exchange gifts, and carry out age-old customs passed down from generations.
Distinctive preparations mark the celebration of Christmas Day in the Czech Republic. The main event of the day is the Christmas dinner, which is expected to be rich and numerous in dishes. The traditional Christmas dinner typically includes a carp and a wide variety of sweet treats like special Christmas cookies or a special sweet bread called Vánočka. Carp is the star of the festive meal; families often buy it alive and keep it in their bathtub for several days before it is cooked. The menu also often includes mushroom or fish soup, and potato salad.
Christmas Day in the Czech Republic is also characterized by unique customs and superstitions. Christmas is said to be magical, and it is believed that anything is possible on that night. Some people fast in the hope that they will see the 'golden piglet', a good luck omen. Czech children receive their gifts from Baby Jesus (Ježíšek) who leaves them under the Christmas tree. The sight of beautifully lit Christmas trees in town squares, children singing carols, and people making wishes as they cut into their apples add to the festive joy and warmth of Christmas Day in the Czech Republic.