Location: Northern Asia
Tree Type: Cultural

Since most Russian Christians belong to the Orthodox church that uses the old Julian calendar to schedule holidays, Christmas celebrations in Russia are often 13 days after the ones in the United States. They do bring with them many special traditions.

For several weeks before Christmas, Russians observe a period of fasting during which they don't eat any meat products, from meat itself to milk, eggs, and anything containing animal fat. The Christmas Eve meal itself, after evening mass, is a meatless feat with 12 main dishes for Jesus' 12 apostles. Russians typically enjoy foods such as fish, borsch (beet soup), millet-stuffed cabbage, dried fruit soup, and especially Kutia. Kutia is a whole-wheat porridge seasoned with honey and poppy seeds meant to promote long life, unity, and good fortune during the Christmas season.

The Yelka, or Christmas tree, is also a traditional Christmas symbol in Russia. Most Russians decorate their trees with lights as well as real and silk flowers.
After supper, some families have their gifts delivered by Grandfather Frost. Saint Nicholas used to deliver presents to Russian children, but Grandfather Frost took over the task in honor of the New Year during communist rule. Today he still prevails. On the other hand, the legend of Babouschka is one that has returned to Russia full-force. Babouschka is said to be a woman who helped to direct the Three Kings to Bethlehem to visit the baby Jesus, but declined to join them because of the cold. By the time she had changed her mind, they were gone, and Babouschka spends Three Kings Day delivering presents to children as she searches for Jesus' crib.