Christmas is a little different, but not a lot. Here in the USA and most of the world, Christmas is connected with the birth of Christ. Now, I am not much into religion these days, but this is just a fact. Nowadays, Russia believes in this same tradition, but the actual holiday for Christmas falls on January 7th. It falls on this day due to the old Julian calendar that was used in Russia prior to the Soviet Union. Christmas is again associated with the birth of Christ, but it is merely a religious holiday now.
The New Year
New Years on the other hand is celebrated similarly to our Christmas. It is a celebration with a decorated tree (a Yolka) and gifts are exchanged. As well, they have parties to bring in the New Year. So it is a New Years/Christmas party wrapped up all in one – and from what I have seen, Russians really know how to party!
New Years Eve somewhere in Russia
A Little History
Santa Claus is originally known as St. Nicholas. The Soviets did away with religion during their rule, so St. Nicholas was replaced by the Russian people and named Dedushka Moroz (translates to Grandfather Frost) the Russian Spirit of Winter who brought gifts on New Year’s. By his side is Snyegurochka, the Snowmaiden, who helps deliver the gifts.
Russian Santa - Ded Moroz
Snyegurochka - Ded Moroz's daughter and helper
Christmas trees (Yolka) were also banned during the Soviet era. People instead decorated New Year’s trees. Ornaments were typically very expensive and hard to find, so family trees were decorated with homemade decorations and fruits. Yolka comes from the word which refers to a fir tree. The custom of decorating Christmas trees was introduced to Russia by Peter the Great, after he visited Europe during the 1700′s.
Yolka in Red Square
Nowadays…
Well, here in the USA, we like to leave cookies and milk and maybe a carrot or two for Rudolph. I didn’t find much about similar traditions in Russia. But, I can certainly make some suggestions. Ded Moroz would probably like a couple shots of vodka and maybe a Baltika 9 or two. I am sure that would make him happy. I know it would make me happy. More to come once my wife lets me how this works…
Typically Ded Moroz wears a blue coat
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on Dec 2nd, 2009 at 2:50 pm
>>Christmas trees (Yolka) were also banned during the Soviet era
They had yolka in Kremlin and in the people’s houses during most of the Soviet era (at least after 1935) It (as Ded Moroz himself) was successfully disassociated with Christmas though