How to Celebrate a Latvian Christmas

In Latvia, Christmas is an important holiday. The celebration begins on December 24 and lasts for a full 12 days.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

1. Begin the season with the start of Advent; hang an Advent wreath in your home in honor of the occasion.

2. Make colorful ornaments in the shape of woolen mittens to hang from your Christmas tree. Given Latvia's cold weather, mittens are very popular there.

3. Bake almond Christmas cookies and gingerbread to share with your family and friends during the holiday season.

4. Attend church on Christmas Eve to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.

5. Remember that this time of year is also a celebration of the Winter Solstice, which is when the days begin to grow longer and the nights are shorter.

6. Prepare a Christmas meal of potatoes, sauerkraut and pork, small pies, and lentils with bacon.

7. Exchange Christmas gifts when the meal is done.

8. Be prepared to read a poem next to the Christmas tree before opening your presents.

9. Expect Father Christmas to leave gifts under the tree for each of the 12 days of Christmas.

10. Incorporate some of the old pagan traditions that still exist. For instance, roll a wooden block around your house to keep evil spirits away.

Tips & Warnings

• In Latvian, "Priecigus Ziemassvetkus!" means "Merry Christmas!"