Hello,
to all the ladies in this unique community.
Traditions are specific repetitive actions that are a great opportunity to express the culture and mores of a people.
I am Bulgarian and I will try to share with you a Bulgarian tradition that many families in Bulgaria follow.
Every year on December 24th the whole Christian world celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
In different parts of the world this holiday has different names, but the idea is the same.
For me it was and now it is the most Bulgarian holiday.
Christmas Eve is a family celebration,without the presence of other people.
Gathering the members of the whole family,on this day the presence of everyone wherever they have been in the world is a must.
It puts an end to the 40 day fasts before the new year.
The dinner itself is solemn on this day.
Meals should be 5-7-11.The rule is to have a small number.
All the dishes are put on the table without meat. A prayer is read by the eldest person of the house before they begin to eat.
After that, and the whole house is toasted with damian against diseases for health.
The eldest takes the ritual bread and the first piece of it is for the house.
The rest of the bread is broken by all the family members.In the ritual bread there is a piece of money,whoever gets it will be healthy for the whole year.
The money is taken to the church and donated to St Mary.
The following dishes are on the table: sauerkraut hearts, stuffed red peppers, vine leaf hearts, ripe bean salad, royal cauliflower and carrot pickle. Desserts - compote of essential fruits,pumpkin pie.
There must be walnuts on the table,each family crushes one walnut,if the nuts are whole and white they will be healthy throughout the year. If the nuts are not whole and white, there will be health problems.
The table is left like this with everything on it until the next morning,when it is already Christmas.
My most precious holiday ornament
My most treasured holiday decoration for the New Year is :
Christmas Tree, which is made natural and original product.
A precious gift from my alumni,which has great emotional value.
Three holiday ornaments,which I treasure very much.The other two are a precious gift from my daughter.
