Christmas in Romania

Description:

Christmas is a very important holiday for Christians, is the feast of the Nativity, peace and spiritual tranquility. It is a time when we receive and we give much love and heartfelt warmth. This enthusiasm is remarkable and they are preparations for the celebration.
For 40 days before this celebration Advent Christians meet they do not eat meat or dairy products as preparing to celebrate. 

Killing the pigs is a very important moment that anticipates Christmas. Then, preparing meals becomes dimensions of ancient ritual. Traditional foods: "sausages', "chisca", "drums", "aspic", "roast pig", "jufla" and customery cake will reign on the table at Christmas, being a place of honor with everyone honest red wine. 

One of the most important moments of the series is December 24 Christmas fir tree decoration, which is common to all family members participate. At night, Santa Claus will slide through the chimney and leave gifts for everyone in stockings or under the fir tree. If you look in the sky could see to Santa Claus moving sleigh pulled by eight reindeer.

Carol is one of the most popular winter traditions. Long ago, bands of singers consisted of children who, after 24 to midnight of December 25, went from house to house, making wishes for health, happiness and luck that he wandered householders.
Winter Carols are sung to celebrate Christian ritual texts, dedicated to Christmas and New Year. Over the centuries have become more beautiful and have taken a great variety throughout the country. They emit the festive atmosphere and good humor with which all Romanians face Christmas and New Year holiday.

"Pluguşorul" is an ancient custom, that, New Year's Eve, groups of young men going on to people's homes and speak different wishes. They are accompanied by a small "plug", hence the name of the carol.
Thus, news is spread Christ Nativity each year carols coming in every home through colindătorilor. They are rewarded by the hosts with fruit (apples, walnuts), breads, candy and even money.