Deda Mraz

        Hi!  My name is Danica. I live in Canada but my parents came from a country called Serbia.  My family and I are getting ready for Deda Mraz.  You know him as Santa Claus.  I'll show you some of our Serbian  Christmas traditions.

Earlier today, Tata (dad) went into the forest to cut down an oak branch. It is called a Badnjak. It is our Christmas tree.  He also brought in hay to have in the house just like baby Jesus had when he was born.

We celebrate Christmas on January 7th,  We already had Christmas for 2022.  

Did you know, that 2000 years ago everyone who celebrated Christmas did so on January 7th?  About 500 years ago, it was changed to December 25.  My family doesn't celebrate the 25th of December.

Mama and I have been busy baking sweets and all the traditional food like sarma (cabbage rolls) and tortes we eat at Christmas.  I can't wait to try them all!

Tata and I have put up some decorations and a few gifts by the hay.  All the cooking, cleaning and gift wrapping is done.  I guess I should get to bed before Deda Mraz comes.