Traditional Croatian Christmas Greeting: Sretan Bozic
On St. Nicholas Eve (Dec. 5), Croatian children leave out freshly polished boots or shoes. Good children's boots are filled with treats. St. Lucia Day is celebrated on Dec. 13. The female head of household plants wheat grains in a dish. By Christmas Eve, the grain has sprouted and is tied with ribbon of red, white and blue, the colors of the Croatian flag. Many Croatians abstain from meat on Christmas Eve - Badnjak - and enjoy an array of sumptuous fish dishes.
On St. Nicholas Eve (Dec. 5), Croatian children leave out freshly polished boots or shoes. Good children's boots are filled with treats. St. Lucia Day is celebrated on Dec. 13. The female head of household plants wheat grains in a dish. By Christmas Eve, the grain has sprouted and is tied with ribbon of red, white and blue, the colors of the Croatian flag. Many Croatians abstain from meat on Christmas Eve - Badnjak - and enjoy an array of sumptuous fish dishes.