Spend a pleasant evening with your loved one at Christmas. How to celebrate Christmas - interesting ideas. II. In pursuit of the spirit of Christmas: we are going to the New Year in Europe

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The homely smell of pine needles and festive dishes, colorful garlands, carols: all this action takes place on a magical holiday called Christmas , which is awaited with great impatience by believers all over the world.

About Christmas world traditions, about how to spend Christmas what signs should be observed to attract prosperity and happiness to the house, will be discussed further.

Holiday Christmas

This holiday, on the eve of which they celebrate Christmas Eve, waiting for people in almost 200 countries with great impatience. And this is not surprising, because Nativity- one of the biggest holidays in Christianity.

The holiday originates from pagan times. According to tradition, on Christmas Eve, food cannot be eaten until the first star.

Catholics celebrate Christmas Eve on December 24, while Orthodox people celebrate Christmas Eve on January 6. The word Christmas Eve comes from "sochevo" (means grains of wheat, which are soaked with juice from seeds).

The celebration begins with the rising of the evening dawn, which, according to legend, announces to the world the birth of the Son of God.

In modern times, the original meaning of Christmas is gradually being lost, but the main thing remains: the holiday is celebrated Houses, and at the same time, the family gathers at the festive table, celebrating Christmas in peace and love for each other.

Christmas traditions

According to legend, the birth of the Son of God Jesus Christ by the Virgin Mary is at the heart of Christmas.

This holiday is the most solemn, accompanied by three services for believers - at midnight, at dawn and in the afternoon. According to Christian tradition, the birth of Christ was able to save human souls and give eternal life to every believer.

This is one of the few holidays that closely intertwine folk and church traditions. There is still an interesting tradition caroling.

On the evening of January 6th and in the morning of January 7th children go from house to house, filling the floor with grains of barley and wheat. Children also sing carols, wishing the owners prosperity and peace. The hosts, in turn, give the children coins and sweets, which, according to legend, bring good luck for the whole year.

The tradition of the Christmas table, where it should be twelve courses by the number of Jesus' disciples.

In Russian-speaking countries it is brewed uzvar- a drink made from dried fruits and berries, symbolizing a happy and prosperous life. In addition, at Christmas it is customary to bake pies (or a pie), one of which is filled with a coin. The one who finds it will be lucky all the coming year.

Christmas in the Czech Republic

Baked carp, tsukrovi sugar cookies and potato salad are must-haves on the Christmas table for conservative Czechs. The Czechs never invite guests to the Christmas table, because this is a purely family holiday for them.

Under the Czech holiday table should be a head of garlic. Christmas divination is also a must for them.

Christmas in Poland

For Christmas dinner in Poland, Lenten dishes are certainly prepared. Before a festive dinner, Poles break round cakes called "oblatni" and wish each other good luck, happiness and health.

Christmas in Germany

In Germany, they give each other the so-called Christmas star - this is the plant "euphorbia", which in its shape resembles a star. It is traditional for Germans to give clover in a pot to invite good luck into the house, and to serve a gingerbread pig or chimney sweeps (squid in their own ink) at the Christmas table.

Christmas in Croatia

Croatians traditionally put candles in the center of the Christmas table, which they decorate with garlands. And on the table there must be small cookies in powdered sugar in the shape of red hearts.

Christmas in Bulgaria

The tradition of the Bulgarians is the modeling of the scenes of the birth of Christ from bread crumbs.

Christmas in Sweden

In Sweden, Christmas is called Yul, and they prepare for it 2-3 weeks in advance: they traditionally bake cookies, bread and brew beer. The Swedes believe in the healing properties of these products on Christmas Eve.

Christmas in Finland

Finns always sprinkle straw on the floor, while unmarried girls sleep on this straw on Christmas night so that they dream of their future betrothed.

Christmas in the Baltic countries

Many old rituals and traditions have been preserved in the Baltic countries.

AT Estonia, for example, according to a centuries-old tradition, citizens wear wreaths at this time.

Lithuanian Christmas dinner is traditionally made up of fish dishes. At the same time, the best place at the table remains for a possible unexpected guest.

People have always been engaged in fortune-telling at Christmas time during Christmas time. Christmas time is a holiday from December 24 to January 6, which is considered a time for divination. And it doesn't matter if you believe in divination or not, but this is a tradition among many Christians.

Regardless of what traditions You will meet the bright holiday of Christmas, know that it brings peace and love. On this day, you need to think about your place in life and how to become better.

Signs for Christmas

From time immemorial, the celebration of Christmas has been inseparable from various beliefs and signs, according to which it was possible to predict the weather, bring good luck, prosperity and prosperity to the house. Main omens for christmas consider below.

• Our ancestors believed that a snowstorm on Christmas Eve would bring early spring.

• Warm and clear weather at Christmas - to a cold spring.

• The young month at Christmas is financially unlucky.

• Frosted trees at Christmas indicate a good harvest of grain, while a starry sky is a sign that there will be a rich harvest of legumes.

• Meeting Christmas in casual clothes brings misfortune.

• New acquisitions for the Christmas holidays - to well-being.

• A family round dance around the New Year tree, which is traditionally removed on January 19 (that is, on Epiphany), will bring family happiness and health.

• It is customary on New Year's Eve to attract joy and wealth to open a window at exactly midnight and light candles, and this should be done by the head of the family.

• Well-fed pets for Christmas are good luck.

But! There are signs that promise trouble and evil in the new year.

• Hunting at Christmas is unfortunate.
• Sewing for Christmas - to the blindness of one of the family.
• Doing housework - to illness.

Believe or not believe in omens for christmas- a purely personal matter, but in any case, on this bright holiday, you must be open, kind, sympathetic, and then luck will definitely look into your house.

02.01.2015 | 1548

Christmas is, unlike the New Year, a quiet family holiday, which you often want to celebrate with just the two of you. We have prepared for you some tips on how to make Christmas with your loved one truly unforgettable.

Where to start preparing?

The very first and most important thing you should do is discuss with your significant other how you both would like to spend this day. If you ignore this moment, it is likely that your loved one will invite someone to visit, or vice versa, will gather with you to visit friends. And the point is not that he does not want to stay with you alone - he simply does not know about your plans. Therefore, to avoid such an awkward situation, let your lover know in advance that you want to celebrate Christmas only with him.

If your wishes coincided, it's time to discuss the festive menu. If you are believers, then Christmas for you is the moment of the end of fasting, so food can be varied and tasty. And even if you are far from religion, then Christmas, nevertheless, suggests a good festive table.

What to cook?

But when compiling the menu, you need to take into account that there will be only two of you, so five salads, three hot dishes and two desserts are hardly needed. Yes, and spending the eve of the holiday in the kitchen is not the most pleasant experience. Therefore, limit yourself to two or three of your favorite dishes. Treat yourself and your loved one to something that you do not allow yourself in everyday life. And do not forget about the traditional Christmas dish - kutya.

The Christmas table is not only dishes, but also serving appropriate for the celebration. Choose an elegant tablecloth, arrange beautiful dishes, light candles. The table can be decorated with figurines of angels, stars, napkins with thematic drawings. Take care of the decoration of the room. It is better not to turn on the light in the room, instead you can place candles everywhere and light festive garlands.

What outfit to choose?

The choice of attire must be approached very carefully. At the celebration of Christmas, your favorite soft robe or insanely comfortable sweatpants will be out of place. And the image of the fatal beauty may also seem somewhat inappropriate for this holiday.

Instead, give preference to a delicate dress in pastel shades, apply light shimmering makeup. Don't forget to make sure that your lover is also dressed in accordance with the holiday dress code.

Things to do?

When the main preparatory activities are completed, it's time to think about the holiday program. Just eating at a beautiful table and going to bed is boring and doesn't capture the spirit of Christmas at all. Instead, remember the carefree days of childhood and go caroling. This occupation only at first seems to be something ridiculous for an adult. But one has only to see first surprise, and then sincere joy in response to your songs and poems, as this feeling will disappear. Plus, this fun Christmas tradition will let you finally get to know your neighbors.

If carol entertainment does not suit you, take your loved one and go to the city ice rink. Where there are a lot of people, music plays and a beautiful Christmas tree glows with colorful lights. And be sure to take a thermos of mulled wine with you. Teach each other to skate, fall and rise together, warm up with spiced wine and have fun.

Well, for those who think going to the skating rink is no less extreme than caroling, we suggest staying at home, wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket and watching a good Christmas movie.

After all, the most important thing is that on this holiday you feel the warmth and love of your loved ones and be absolutely happy.

Without a doubt, a holiday at Christmas should be fabulous and memorable. This bright joyful holiday gives both children and adults moments of happiness, love and hope that everything will be much better in the new year than in the past. Right now, our children are waiting for surprises and gifts, make wishes, and believe that dreams come true. Christmas is the best time for family events and joyful moments. All over the world on this day, young and old are waiting for miracles! Country hotel "Lachi" offers a bright festive program for adults and children. No one will be left without a gift, pleasant emotions and impressions!

Christmas holidays are not only a feast and concerts, but a lot of interesting adventures, quest programs, competitions, sports games and New Year's adventures. When planning your vacation for the Christmas holidays, think about what your children will be doing? After all, this is an unusual weekend for them, this is a night when you can make a wish and believe that it will come true.

The hotel hosts themed celebrations. Children will be able to get acquainted with the history of this holiday in a playful way, learn how our ancestors celebrated it, what traditions have survived to this day. Many educational and exciting games have been prepared by the organizers of the hotel for adults as well.

Every year "Lachi" invites guests to spend Christmas holidays together. Modern pop performers are waiting for you, folk artists will congratulate you, talented illusionists and showmen will give you a storm of emotions. There will be sure to be organized matinees for the youngest guests of the hotel, where Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden will delight the kids with fun contests and gifts.

It is impossible to imagine winter holidays without fun winter walks, without sleigh rides, entertainment that residents of our region can afford only in winter. For lovers of winter nature, the hotel offers a colorful photo session. Experienced photographers will take great pictures, help you save the brightest moments of your life.

How to celebrate and where to relax at Christmas

The best option to celebrate Christmas is considered to be a trip out of town. Taking into account all the advantages of the nature near Moscow, and the high level of services provided, you can be sure that these holidays will become unforgettable. Try to book in advance, as the popularity of the hotel attracts thousands of vacationers who have taken care of their Christmas leisure long before the start of the winter holidays.

In addition to the concert program, various competitions, master classes and competitions, the club-hotel offers to participate in the creation of the holiday itself. Guests can independently choose the most interesting entertainment and activities. Themed holiday shows and concerts are held daily on the territory of the hotel, the chef indulges with delicious Christmas dishes, and the animators surprise children and adults with unusual tricks, soap parties and gifts.

When choosing where to relax for Christmas (Christmas holidays), most Muscovites, as a rule, do not want to travel far, but at the same time they dream of a real winter fairy tale. Now you do not have to look for entertainment somewhere outside our capital, because just 35 km from the Moscow Ring Road there is one of the best hotel-clubs. This is where you can meet the New Year and Christmas holidays. Comfortable rooms, houses unique in their design and interior, a cozy and well-equipped bath complex are at guests' disposal. Each of the nine baths has its own unique interior, designed according to a certain sign of the zodiac, which will allow everyone, without exception, to take a steam bath in “their own” Russian bath, which is optimally suitable according to all the laws of astronomy. The ancient traditions of bathing are observed here. Professionals have made sure that you can relax and feel all the benefits of relaxing with fragrant steam.

A high level of service and a wide variety of entertainment programs will help create a festive atmosphere and give a lot of pleasant impressions and emotions.

"Lachi" is an ideal place for a family holiday. For the youngest guests there are amusement parks, for active citizens there is a rope park, a laser tag area and well-equipped sports grounds. For nature lovers, we offer an excellent opportunity to enjoy a delicious winter barbecue, take part in various recreational activities, including winter sports and entertainment.

So that the children do not get bored, animators work at the hotel, children's discos, bubble shows, master classes in making Christmas crafts are organized. Many interesting entertainments are available in the winter season, especially if the weather is snowy. The ingenuity of the organizers of the hotel "Lachi" will envy any animator or presenter.

The program is worked out to the smallest detail, which in combination gives a certain bonus: the guests do not get bored, the children have fun, giving joy and smiles to their parents.

In a country hotel you can have a great rest with friends in a noisy company or celebrate Christmas with your loved one, secluded in one of the romantic corners. You can learn more about the program of events for the Christmas holidays in advance by looking at the hotel website. In order not to miss important news and announcements, do not forget to subscribe to the newsletter. This will allow you to be among the first to know about new events and book the best places in the hotel, and you are guaranteed to receive a number of benefits and pleasant bonuses.

Christmas has always been considered a family holiday. Invite your loved ones to the most comfortable and interesting hotel, where each guest receives maximum attention from the staff and administration of the institution.

Do you want to give an unusual gift to your colleagues? On the territory of the hotel you can rent a specially equipped comfortable banquet hall. Delicious treats will be prepared on an individual basis, a special musical arrangement will be organized, and a script for the upcoming corporate event will be drawn up for you personally.

Christmas holidays are not far off. It's time to think about how to spend them brightly and unforgettable!

The aroma of Christmas dishes, the amazing smell of green needles, bright garlands - this indicates the onset of Christmas, which everyone is waiting for with great impatience! This magical religious holiday has become a favorite with people all over the world. Christmas is a family celebration that gathers all relatives around the table. They exchange gifts and give the warmth of the soul to each other. That is why it is important to take care of how to spend Christmas.

For a friendly company

In Russia, it was customary, starting from Christmas Eve, to go caroling and guessing. If you are going to a youth company, choose a couple of types of fortune-telling. Popular are:

• on wax - the candle should be melted and the wax should be dripped into a plate of water. The resulting figures need to be deciphered, judging by what they look like;
• on the ashes - a crumpled sheet of paper is lowered onto a dish, moved to the wall. They set it on fire and wait for it to burn completely. A lit candle is placed nearby so that the shadow is reflected on the wall. It is also easy to decipher them, for example: a stroller - there will be a child soon, a heart - you will meet love, etc.

You can offer your friends more such entertainment. Arrange on the table items corresponding to professions:

• pen - teacher,
• disk programmer,
• book - writer,
• syringe - doctor, etc.

Close the eyes of the fortuneteller, and let him choose any item on the table. He will predict to him the profession of a betrothed.

Another fun idea is caroling. Dress up the whole company in bright things, wigs and maxi that hide your face. Approaching the threshold, sing carols to the owners, wishing health, peace, prosperity. In return, ask for sweets, fruits, a kiss, a hug!

Romance for two

Couples in love tend to spend Christmas together. Many people prefer to just be at home in a cozy environment. In this case, prepare fragrant mulled wine, turn on your favorite Christmas movie and wrap yourself in a soft blanket. Love to read? Open the story "Gifts of the Magi". This is a wonderful story about lovers who prepared gifts for the holiday.

Dreaming of celebrating a holiday away from home? Call your soul mate to the forest for breakfast or dinner. Prepare a thermos of hot tea and delicious treats. Ask your friends to prepare the place for your arrival. Order a magical photo session as a gift.

Are you afraid of frost? Get a tour to Serbia to get acquainted with local traditions. In this country, Christmas is also celebrated from 6 to 7 January. It is customary for Serbs to burn oak branches right in front of the church before the start of the liturgy. They prepare a huge chessnica pie, which is enjoyed on all Belgrade streets.

Fans of extreme travel should pay attention to trips to Goa and Bali. In these places, they adore Russian tourists who celebrate Christmas with noise and fun. For them, cities are specially dressed up, Christmas trees are made from bamboo, coconuts and other tropical plants. Our tourists cook kutya with fruit, spend their holidays carefree and enjoy pleasant communication.

Family celebration

If you are a supporter of a home celebration, the best solution would be to hold a celebration in a cozy circle of your relatives. Watch Christmas movies. Do you want to be the organizer of the event? Come up with an interesting scenario, call your friends with children. Prepare surprises and original contests for adults and kids.

Recently it has become fashionable to go to the villages for Christmas. Even if you don’t have friends and relatives, you can rent a cozy house, decorate it with Christmas wreaths, paper angels, stars and delicate snowflakes. Take ready meals with you and organize a real feast for the whole world! After it, you can offer outdoor games, carols, skiing, dancing and singing until the morning.

Whatever the holiday of Christmas, may it become joyful, kind and cheerful for you. The main thing on this wonderful day is to give warmth and care to others!

Let's decide where it is better to go to celebrate the New Year. We offer you a selection Top 10 Options, where you can cheaply fly on vacation on holidays in 2020. Get ready to celebrate the upcoming New Year in a place that will make you happy!

Forget about the herring under a fur coat, forget about the launch of fireworks on a frosty night, finally forget these blurry faces of stars broadcast from all TV channels! We've had enough of this fun. It's time to celebrate the main holiday of the year in a fundamentally different setting and a new place - so that the new year becomes truly new.

So, here, on the good old, we have compiled for you a selection of the best places to go for the New Year - 2020. Each of these places is beautiful and one is better than the other for celebrating the most joyful holiday there. Choose your option and go on a journey!

Below we list non-standard directions. If you want classics, choose:

Advice: do not put off booking tickets and hotels for later - the closer New Year, the higher the intensity of passions.

Attention: Airfare prices are given for New Year's dates (end of December - beginning of January), and hotel prices are for a double room on New Year's Eve.

How to find cheap flights? We recommend search engines Skyscanner and Aviasales. Check prices in both to find the best deal for your dates.

Hotel search. Use the service that compares prices among all leading booking systems - Roomguru.ru.

I. Where to go on New Year's Eve at sea in 2020?

Do you want the sea instead of snow? Nothing complicated. The choice of destinations where you can fly in winter to enjoy the warm sea and the warming sun is very large: these are Asia (Vietnam, Bali, Philippines, India, etc.), South America, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Caribbean islands. It will be somewhat colder in the Canary Islands and in the Mediterranean region, but still much warmer than in Russia.

1. New Year in the Canary Islands

Why here? A great option to go to celebrate the New Year - 2020: romantic, not the most typical and relatively cheap. The set includes the sea (more precisely, the ocean - the Atlantic), the diverse nature of the Canary Islands, Spanish flavor, black volcanic sand on the beaches. Read more about holidays in the Canary Islands (prices, reviews, travel tips).

In winter, in the Canary Islands, the air temperature during the day is around + 25 ° C, and the water is warmed up to + 20 ° C - the very thing for a comfortable stay, no heat and stuffiness.

Question price. Getting to the Canary Islands is relatively inexpensive (the main thing is to buy tickets in advance): you can fly with traditional airlines from Moscow or St. Euro). Read more about this in a separate article.

Prices for NG - 2020:

• Tours from Moscow to Tenerife for the New Year cost from 100 thousand rubles (7-8 nights, 3 * hotel).
• Air tickets to Tenerife from Moscow and back on New Year's dates are more expensive than usual - from 35 thousand rubles. Search tickets →
• The cost of a double room in a 3* hotel in Tenerife on a festive night starts from $53. Find a hotel →

(Photo © stuart-buchanan / flickr.com)

2. Happy New Year, Cuba!

Why here? Liberty Island is one of the best places to go on New Year's Eve 2020. In winter, the weather here is wonderful: very warm (but not stuffy like in summer), the sea is perfect, and the sky is almost always cloudless. Cheerful and always cheerful locals, the best cigars in the world, almost antique cars driving around the streets.

Question price. Holidays in Cuba (including the New Year) cannot be called excessively expensive: housing, food and entertainment cost a little, but, alas, you will have to spend money on a flight. You can try to catch an inexpensive last-minute tour on the site, and if you prefer exclusively independent travel, then you should start catching air tickets 2-4 months before the trip.

Prices for NG - 2020:

• You can find a tour to Cuba from Moscow from 150 thousand rubles for two (2-3 * hotel, 7 nights).
• Usually tickets cost 60-80 thousand, but sometimes you can find about 45 thousand rubles. Search tickets →
• In Havana, you can find decent 3 * hotels at a price of $ 80 / night for New Year's dates. Find a hotel →

(Photo © dogpong / flickr.com)

3. New Year in the Maldives

Why here? This is one of the best places where you can hide from all worries and not worry about anything. Real paradise. Ideal for a complete lazy holiday. And the period of the New Year holidays is perhaps the best time for this. Let the whole world remain somewhere far away, thousands of kilometers of ocean waters! Turn off the phone and forget about the Internet - why distract yourself from true pleasure?

Prices for NG - 2020:

• Tours in the New Year to the Maldives cost from 280 thousand rubles for two (10 nights, 3-5 *).
• Flying to the Maldives usually costs from 26 thousand rubles. But flying for the New Year - 2020 will not work out just as cheap - prices for flights in late December - early January do not fall below 60-90 thousand rubles. Search tickets →
• 3 * hotels in the Maldives (not on the coast) cost from $55. Find a hotel →

However, the Maldives are traditional package destinations, and if you don’t want to bother with organizing a vacation, it’s easier to buy a tour to and - all documents will be sent to you by e-mail.

(Photo © nattu / flickr.com)

4. Seychelles

Why here? For the same reasons as the Maldives. Seychelles is a place for those who appreciate privacy and comfort.

Question price. As in the case of the Maldives, now the Seychelles have become more accessible. Try to catch a burning tour on.

Prices for NG - 2020:

• The cost of tours is from 180 thousand rubles. (if departures are on December 26-27) and from 200 thousand - for departures on December 30-31.
• Flight Moscow - Mahe usually costs from 30 thousand rubles. (for a round trip), but for the period of New Year and Christmas holidays, the price increases significantly - from 50 thousand rubles. Search tickets →
• The price tag for 2-3 * hotels in the Seychelles for the New Year period is from $ 60 per night, which is quite good for relaxing on the islands, and even during the holidays. True, such an inexpensive hotel will not be located on the very shore - you will have to walk to the beach. Find a hotel →

(Photo © jmhullot / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0)

II. Chasing the spirit of Christmas: we're going to Europe for the New Year!

The sea is good. The sea is wonderful. Perhaps there is nothing better in the world than the sea, but one way or another, during the New Year period, many people really want to be in the center of the holiday and feel the spirit of Christmas. If this is about you, then the best option for where to go to celebrate the New Year 2020 would be Europe.

The magical New Year and Christmas atmosphere can be enjoyed in many European countries: Great Britain, France, Germany, Scandinavian countries - any place where people celebrate Christmas and snow falls will do.

(Photo © Alessio Mesiano / flickr.com)

1. To Europe for the New Year inexpensively

Europe is not the cheapest region in terms of holidays, but even here there are several countries where you can have a relatively inexpensive holiday during the New Year holidays and fully enjoy the magical Christmas atmosphere. For those who want to relax as cheaply as possible on the New Year and Christmas in Europe, such countries as Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Poland, Slovenia. Basically, Germany- also not the most expensive European country.

2. To Europe for Christmas and New Year, sparing nothing!

More expensive options where you can meet and have a great New Year - 2020 and Christmas - are France, Switzerland, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Ireland, UK and Sweden. In the countries of the Alpine region (in Switzerland, France and Austria) you can ski, visit Christmas markets, admire the decoration of shopping galleries and city streets in general.

In most cases, when people imagine the Christmas atmosphere, an image arises in their head. London. The capital of England is really one of the most suitable places to go here for the New Year and Catholic Christmas. At this time, London turns into a real fairy tale! In fact, going on a trip to England is a completely feasible task for any person: getting a visa is not as easy as getting a Schengen visa, but flights from Moscow to London are quite inexpensive (thanks to low-cost airline easyJet). So Christmas London is much closer than you thought.

You can search for flights to cities of interest to you on Skyscanner and Aviasales search engines.

Intro image source: © alfonsoaguirre / flickr.com.