Christmas Time In Lithuania!

Christmas time is always a magical time, the snow on the ground, the Christmas tree decorated, yummy food, around people who love and care for you, plus there is just an extra bit of cheer in the air.

This year I spent Christmas away from my family in Minnesota but with my family here in Lithuania. Christmas here is different which was to be expected because Christmas is different for everybody we all have our own traditions and cultures. Here in Lithuania I traveled to Kaunas, the second largest city and an hour from my home in Vilnius, to spend Christmas at the grandparents house. We went there from December 24th to the 26th.

Christmas here starts on Christmas eve when you don't eat ANY meat. We actually have a traditional twelve dishes including things from; fish, beats, poppy sead milk and mushrooms. Along with not eating meat they don't eat much dairy products on Christmas eve as well. This for me was a very big change because my diet includes mostly meat and dairy, I'm not a big fish eater but working on it. At the moment I just have a problem with the smell it taste fine once I'm past the smell. It is also customary to try a bit of each dish. Before this meal we all take a piece of the holy communion wafer sheet and wish each other blessings, atleast that's what I thought was going on. Following the traditional Christmas Eve dinner we leave the dishes unwashed because of a superstion and as an offering while retreating to the living room to open our presents from St. Nick. While this family had the tradition if you wanted your present you must either sing a song or reciete a poem for the family. For Christmas this year I recieved a beautiful bracelet, tons of sweets, and a pair of cozy woolen socks to stay warm with. Later that evening we headed to the midnight church mass in town. While we were a bit late getting there it was interesting to see how lively the downtown part of the city was and how majorly packed the church was.

Christmas was a relaxing day, we stayed at home and enjoyed each others company. For dinner we ate duck. It was good and tasted like chicken. I was a bit worried because the head of this duck was still attached but I got over that fact quickly.

That was really all we did for Christmas, small family celebration but I did attend a class Christmas party on December 26th once I returned which was also a lot of fun.

Enjoy your new year,

Natalie

P.S
I'm watching a Spanish SoapOpera on TV right now, it is kinda strange in an interesting way.