Christmas in Estonia is celebrated by the Catholics, Orthodox Christians, the Lutherans and the Atheists. Estonia being an erstwhile USSR country, Christmas was not celebrated openly but discreetly.
Today of course, the picture is totally different, as the changed power equations have made it possible for all to celebrate
Christmas without any fear. Christmas in Estonia is the most important holiday of the Estonians.
Christmas celebrations in Estonia are a mixture of the traditional, the modern, the secular, and the religious. Like in other Nordic states, Estonians celebrate Christmas Eve with great pomp and vigor. Christmas season officially starts with Advent. Most of the Estonian homes have an Advent wreath and an Advent Calendar. Christmas in Estonia means two things to the people. Firstly, it mark's the birth of Jesus Christ and secondly it signifies whole period of mid-winter holidays. Christmas in Estonia has some pagan influences. A tradition of making special Christmas crowns, imitating the church chandeliers, is present among the Estonians.
Christmas in Estonia means traditional Estonian food: pork and Sauerkraut (pickled cabbage) with potatoes, blood pudding and meat jelly. There are also fruit and different kinds of sweets and cakes. Gingersnaps are made by the majority of the families, it is part of Christmas festivities. Gingersnaps are made of different shapes - gingerbread men and women, little stars and moons, birds, cats, dogs and bears. Christmas tree is part of the Christmas festivities and a well-decorated Christmas tree is present on Christmas Eve in most households and the houses are filled with the scent of the candles and fir. There is exchange of presents and the whole family participates in the festivities. Connect to
Christmas Carnivals for more.
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