Christmas in Belarus is celebrated with great warmth and gusto.

Kaliday (December 25 - January 7) is a pagan New Year celebration in Belarus that has been now included in the Christian tradition. People will dress themselves as animals carry the sun and the goat's head on a stick and visit different houses singing special carols.

Parties are thrown on New Year's Eve night. People exchange New Year gifts and wishes at the stroke of midnight. Houses are decorated and fireworks are lit to mark the begining of a New Year.

Straw is the most important aspect of the various New Year traditions in Belarus. Straw is used for parts of the fortune telling that takes place between Christmas and New Year. Adults draw straws from the Christmas table to forsee their future in the coming year. Belarusian traditions intended to bring good luck and fortune to people during the New Year.

Right hand text:

Wishing you a Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year