Winter holidays and traditions in Hungary

December 24. Christmas Eve
December 25-26. Christmas

Christmas is the most anticipated holiday of the year. For Christians it is the commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ for others it is the celebration of love, togetherness and gift-giving.
December 24.
Traditionally, the Christmas tree is set up on this day and family members exchange gifts in the evening. The origins of gift-giving can be traced back to the story of the Three Wise Men in the Bible who visited baby Jesus after his birth in Bethlehem, each bearing gifts.
December 25-26.
Western Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25, while Eastern Christians celebrate on January 7. Christmas is the second most important holiday of the year in Christian theology (the first being Easter) and is observed as a day of love, joy, peace, family and home worldwide. According to Christian teachings Jesus Christ was born to the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem and this day became the generally accepted “beginning of time”. December 26 is the second day of Christmas.

Families have their own rituals, they set up their Christmas trees and have their festive dinners with their loved ones. Festive fish dishes, beautifully decorated gingerbread baked during Advent and “beigli” with poppy seed or walnut filling are put on the traditional Christmas table in many households.

Image source: https://www.gettyimages.com/