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Christmas in Serbia isn’t just a holiday — it’s a celebration bursting with joy, tradition, and irresistible flavors. Curious about how Serbs mark this magical day, when they celebrate it, and how to say Merry Christmas in Serbian?
We’ll guide you through it all! Here’s the tale of one of the most joyous days for Serbian people, so get ready for unique rituals, festive vibes, and tons of food. Let’s get started!
Yes, Serbian Christmas is much different from what you see in the movies or the way you may celebrate in your country. So, here’s everything you need to know, from greetings to the traditions and all the tasty food.
If you’re asking this question, you already know it’s not on December 25. So, when is it?
In Serbia, most people celebrate Christmas on January 7. Sounds weird?
The thing is, the Serbian Orthodox Church follows the Julian calendar, which is 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar used in most of the world.
In other words, while Serbs agree that Christ was born on December 25, they celebrate it in January because of the calendar difference.
Technically, Merry Christmas in Serbian is Srećan Božić.
That said, Serbs use the following greetings much more often:
Greetings: Hristos se rodi.
(Christ is born.)
Response: Vaistinu se rodi.
(Indeed, he is born.)
So, Christmas greetings follow the same pattern as those for Easter. If you’re curious, check out our article on the topic.
Also, people tend to say Mir Božji, which means God’s peace. Therefore, if you want to wish someone Merry Christmas the Serbian way, say — Mir Božji. Hristos se rodi!
As for the other things Serbs say around Christmas, you may hear Srećni praznici! (Happy holidays). Since this phrase is universal, you can use it for Christmas, New Year, or any other holiday.
Another thing Serbs often say (or text) is — Sve najlepše tebi i tvojima! (all the best to you and your family!)
Now that you know what to say and when, let’s dive deeper into the customs.
Surprisingly, it all begins not with a feast but with fasting. The firmest believers prepare for Christmas by abstaining from animal products, alcohol, and bad habits for 43 days. Some do it for a week.
Either way, this practice is known as Božićni post (Nativity fast), and those who observe it get to receive the holy communion (pričest) on Christmas morning.
Don’t worry, though. Fasting is optional, so you can skip it if you’re not into ascetic traditions.
As for the Christmas tree, Serbs do decorate it. That said, they typically do it with the New Year celebration in mind. Interestingly, there’s a different tree for Christmas, but we’ll get into that in a minute.
Christmas Eve (Badnje veće) in Serbia is on December 6, and most Serbs fast on that day — even non-religious folks.
After all, Christmas Eve food is pretty irresistible. The aroma of fried fish, baked beans, and grated radish salad fills Serbian homes, spreading holiday vibes.
In addition to the food, families enjoy fun rituals in the evening. After the sunset, a family member (typically dad) gets badnjak (small oak tree) and knocks on the door. After a brief forth and back, he’s let inside, and other family members shower him with wheat or corn kernels. Naturally, he retaliates.
Next, the children search for goodies like candies or fruits hidden inside hay heaps while impersonating chicks. Then, the family shares a meal.
With all that over, it’s time to burn the badnjak. Some people incinerate the oak tree at home, while others do it at a church event at midnight.
Finally, it’s Christmas. But, like most celebrations in Serbia, it doesn’t last one but three days.
That said, it’s the first day (January 7) when most of the magic happens.
In the early morning, Serbian families welcome a položajnik. This is typically a young neighbor who visits their home first, bringing them good luck for the coming year.
Položajnik also uses a leftover badnjak twig to poke around the fireplace or a woodstove. The resulting sparks symbolize wealth, good fortune, and health.
Then, it’s time to say prayers over incense (tamjan) and break a special bread called česnica. From the outside, it looks like ordinary homemade bread. But there are all sorts of surprises inside.
Namely, whoever bakes česnica hides various items in the dough, so after breaking the bread, you can find seeds or pieces of wood that symbolize luck, health, and more. Of course, everyone hopes to get the coin since it represents wealth.
Finally, it’s time to relax and dig into that bountiful božićna trpeza (Christmas spread). There are no rules on what to serve, but these are some of the staples:
While food is a big deal, what truly matters is sharing these joyous moments with loved ones in peace and harmony. Of course, no one minds if an uncle gets rowdy after his fifth shot of rakija — it’s all part of the fun.
Another thing — some Serbs go wild with firecrackers (petarde), so don’t be alarmed. Just ignore the noise, protect any pets you might have, and, well, enjoy Christmas.
As you can see, Christmas in Serbia is all about family, tradition, and the festive mood infused with the subtle incense scent. Of course, like with most holidays, Serbs love savoring good vibes and even better food. Now that you’re in the know, you’re ready to join the festivities (and the feast), so grab a plate and a glass and celebrate Christmas — Serbian style.
And in the spirit of giving, we’ve got a gift for all Serbian language learners. Sign up here and receive our carefully prepared study materials twice a month — for free. Srećni praznici! 🎄🎁🎉
Christmas in Serbia isn’t just a holiday — it’s a celebration bursting with joy, tradition, and irresistible flavors. Curious about how Serbs mark this magical
Ever dreamed of studying in Serbia? The quality yet affordable education, exciting nightlife, and laid-back Serbian lifestyle might tempt you to book a ticket and
