In Serbia, it begins with Advent, when Orthodox Christians enter into a 40-day fast that excludes meat, dairy and eggs. By the time Christmas lunch comes around and the fast is broken, a feast is well deserved – and a feast it tends to be, typically with a centerpiece of roast pork. Tradition also dictates that the three consecutive Sundays before Christmas are reserved for children, then mothers, then fathers to give presents – they are “tied up” and must hand out gifts as ransom in order to be untied. 

During the Holiday 

On the morning of Christmas Eve, the father of the family used to go to the forest to cut a young oak called the badnjak (Christmas Eve tree) – though today people typically purchase one. Badnjak is then burnt like a Yule Log. In fact, there are large bonfires outside churches where oak branches and badnjak are set aflame. On Christmas Day the dawn is greeted with church bells ringing and sometimes people firing guns into the air!  

The first person to enter a house on Christmas Day is called a položajnik and is thought to bring luck to the house and family. Early on Christmas morning, girls traditionally collected water to bring to their family. This was called “strong water” and was said to have special powers. People would drink some strong water and wash their faces in it before having breakfast. 

At Christmas, a special kind of bread is eaten. It's called česnica and is baked in a round shape. Each member of the family is served a piece (including the house itself). There is a coin hidden inside and whoever receives it will be particularly fortunate in the next year. Other popular Christmas dishes include pečenica (roast pork), sarma (cabbage stuffed with rice and ground meat) and lots of cakes. 

Join us during the holiday season on our Gems of Southeast Europe (Festive Delights) and Grand Danube Cruise (Festive Delights)  sailings and partake in the festivities as you cruise through Hungary, Croatia, Bulgaria and Romania!