I grew up in the city of Bila Tserkva in the Kyiv region. One of the brightest childhood memories of Christmas time is carol singing. My friends and I would visit relatives and neighbors, dressed nicely, carrying a handmade nativity scene, and singing to celebrate the birth of Christ. Neighbors would generously give us candy and some money. A few days before, my mum and I would learn a song or a little poem for caroling, and we’d perform it on Christmas.

I loved singing these words: "In Bethlehem, the Son of God was born, Great joy came to all people. He who teaches not to sin has appeared for the happiness of mankind." Today, this tradition isn’t as widespread, but I always look forward to neighborhood kids coming over, and I keep candy and money ready in my hallway.

I adore carols and holiday songs and will pass this tradition on to my children.

Nataly Lutsenko, Kyiv, Ukraine

The preparation of the most popular dish on a traditional Transylvanian Christmas dinner table, Töltött káposzta, starts way earlier than December.

It is said that the best sour cabbage is pickled before November 1, this way by Christmas it has the best flavor and texture. Seasoned with dill and thyme, and preserved with salt and horseradish, it has a unique flavor that completes the minced meat which is the base of the food. It is cooked in a special handmade ceramic pot.

The pot has a unique shape and has to be soaked for a whole night to stop it cracking on the stove while the stuffed cabbage is boiled for hours over a low flame.

I can’t picture Christmas Eve without the smell and taste of this typical Transylvanian food.

Tibor Kalnoky, Micloșoara, Romania

Christmas traditions vary across different Slovak regions and families, but if I were to choose one that I like and have tried to keep alive over the years, it would be the tradition of Christmas fasting.

On Christmas Eve, we abstain from eating anything until Christmas dinner. Originally, this was meant to express gratitude for the birth of Jesus Christ, but for me, it always makes Christmas dinner feel so much more special.

Because everyone is hungry—even after spending so much time in the kitchen preparing the food—the anticipation for Christmas dinner feels even greater, and everyone truly enjoys the time spent together in each other’s company.

Even as a child, the gift-giving part became less important—what everyone looked forward to most was the shared experience of eating together and spending time with their closest loved ones.

Karin Filkaszova, Bratislava, Slovakia

Latvian Christmas (Ziemassvētki – direct translation is “Winter fest”) celebrations mix traditional folklore with Christian traditions.

From one side people celebrate the birth of Jesus, from the other side it is a celebration of the Winter Solstice, when you celebrate the shortest day and longest night of the year (usually the actual day is one or two days prior to Christmas Eve). One of the main examples of these traditions is the decoration of the Christmas tree.

Latvians proudly consider that this tradition originated in Latvia around the end of 15th century. Many people still don’t buy a spruce but instead find one in the forest. Many also prefer not to cut it down, but to decorate the live tree with carrots, apples or homemade gingerbread.

Christmas Eve is usually considered a quiet family gathering with presents under the Christmas tree, which are opened then and not the next day). To get a present one is required to recite a poem or sing a song.

Ugis Liebietis, Riga, Lativa