My BetweenTimes...: Czech Christmas

When I lived in Nebraska I wrote an article about Christmas in the Czech Republic, and I think it is a perfect time to publish it now in my blog.

Here it is:

"Our Christmas starts on Christmas Eve – 24^th December. On that day we should eat only meatless dishes. My mother used to say that who fasts all day will see the golden pig – a symbol of happiness. Traditionally the meal consists of fish soup as starter and main course of fried carp and potato salad.

Raising carp has a long history in the Czech Republic. In the middle of October the fisherman begin to fish out the ponds and the fish is then sold swimming in huge wooden barrels on the markets in the cities before Christmas. You can choose the carp you want and then take it home alive where it is kept in the bathtub until Christmas Eve. In my family however, we were not buying fish in the market. My father’s hobby is fishing therefore we used to have our own fish. And it was not usually carp either but trout instead as we liked it better.

After dinner we hand out the Christmas presents. These are, according to tradition, put under the decorated Christmas tree by the infant Jesus – Ježíšek. So Santa Claus does not come to the Czech Republic.
In families with small children parents put presents secretly under the tree and after dinner one of the parents disappears to ring a small bell. It is a signal for the little ones from Ježíšek, announcing that he already visited the family and they should look if he left any presents for them. The tree is normally also decorated in secrecy by the parents. All this creates a magical atmosphere for the children. In my family it used to be exactly like that. Only later on when my sister and I were older, we decorated the tree ourselves and we always really looked forward to it.
We take down the Christmas tree on 6^th January with the arrival of Three Kings – Tři králové .

Another traditional part of Christmas is baking Christmas biscuits – Vánoční cukroví, small cut out shapes from Linz, nut, coconut, marzipan or cocoa dough which has jam or buttery cream between them and is decorated with sugar icing or chocolate. They are baked well in advance so that they are soft and fragrant just at the right time. There are the traditional ones but also the special ones in each family. Just to mention some…. Medvědí tlapky, Vosí hnízda, Kakaové ořechy ….and for many there would not be Christmas without Vanilla Rolls – Vanilkové rohlíčky. In my family we also used to make every year Ginger nuts – Zázvorky, specially formed cookies made with ginger exactly how our grandmother used to make them. They are one of my favourites. Everybody knows honey gingerbread- Medové perníčky, small gingerbread biscuits, decorated with sugar ornaments which can be placed on the Christmas tree. Together with special chocolate figures in different shapes related to Christmas time. You can buy them in the shops before Christmas and naturally these are eaten from the tree during the holiday season. There are tens of other types of biscuits some of which are specific to a region and others to a family.

Of course I have to mention the most traditional Christmas sweetbread – Vánočka made with raisins and sprinkled with almonds. In our family we enjoy a slice or two for breakfast and to make it even more delicious we spread it with butter and homemade jam.

If you are in the Czech Republic during Christmas you must visit our Christmas markets. There you have an opportunity to shop for unique gifts and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere. The markets begin with switching on Christmas tree lights during the first week of Advent running until end of December. Tens of decorated stalls appear in the cities where you can buy Christmas decorations, fragrant candles, special warm scarves and hats, toys etc. You can go back in time seeing craftsmen (blacksmith, glass blowers…) practicing their trade as they did generations ago dressed in their traditional clothes. You have an opportunity to try your hand at it or just buy the beautiful craftwork, for example blown glass Christmas ornaments. It is hard to resist the refreshments those markets offer. Aromatic mead - Medovina (made of alcohol, honey, water and yeast) mulled wine – Svařené víno (wine combined with spices and served warm) or roast chestnuts, gingerbread, corn on the cob, grilled sausages and others. Choirs and children’s performances can be watched on the stage throughout the day singing the Czech carols.

In my country people say that Christmas Eve is a day when magic can happen. And there are various ways to find out if this is true. For example a fish scale placed under your plate during dinner is said to bring wealth and happiness in the coming year and I have already mentioned the golden pig.

We also try to foretell the future by:

- Cutting of the apple - You cut an apple open across the core and if the pips are in the shape of a perfect star you will have a wealth and good health in the coming year.

- Floating of walnut shells – We make little boats out of empty walnut shells and place a little burning candle into it. The shells are floated on water in a bowl. If your shell gets across the bowl you will live a long and healthy life. A sunk shell on the other hand brings bad luck.
- Pouring of lead – We pour melted lead into water and then read the shapes it forms
There are many other customs, rules and superstitions......"

I will not be baking the Christmas biscuits this year as we are still remodeling and there is so much else to do before Christmas, but these are some of the biscuits I baked last time.