What Russians do when they don’t drink or fight? — roughly a silly stereotype that some Russians do live up to, but there is so unknown—quite mysterious—what the rest are actually up to, especially at “da most wonderful time of the year” — yeah, talking about Xmas Hollidays. In Russia that Xmasy time is known as New Year Celebrations (NYE 31st of December, Xmas 7th of January – for all Christian Orthodox countries…based Gregorian calendar)

What is the standard plan for New Year and Xmas Hollidays in the heads of Russians? Interesting question if so to be curious what communists do on those Hollidays.

Xmas (Christmas) in Russia celebrated in mere sense: solely related to the religions stance/ based on the orthodox rituals and beliefs, from marching with clergymen around the church to Christmas dining : Xmas fasting for 40 days ( From 28.11 – 6.01, “NO” to meat, eggs and all dairy products.)

Everything that would be put in the bucket for Xmas in Western countries is actually picked up for New Year in Russia: Xmas tree (fir, pine), gifts under the tree, family dinner, adding to city’s fireworks. All fun that we — as Russians and other nations — happened to know about the Western Xmasy theme gradually overhaul the New Year event, ritual-wise:

  ! Gifts Packed: wrapped-up in colourful paper, placed under the Xmas tree, decorated with glassy plastic balls and tiny light bulbs that wriggle through the burlap garland. Standard : Fluffy/soft toy(s) usually in a form of the coming year Chinese zodiac sign. Yeah Russians do follow this Chinese astrology made of 12 animal signs; Chocolaty treats (Xmas theme) are also placed under the tree. 

  ! Red-green-gold colours: Well the gold was always popular in RUSSIA its like a thing if you are Russian you green came recently, like about after 90s when Hollywood  movies were exposing this Xmas holidays’ content in very fun way. Could say tahta the green-red combo pushed away the use of blue and white all its tints which was very popular back in USSR. Ded Moroz (Russian Santa)was wearing in those colours.   

  ! Santa Claus wearing white and red: basically what I said, Ded Moroz (Grandpa of cold) is no longer wearing blue and white…Now he puts on Coca&cola costume. 

  ! Add-in more outside decorations… more lights – grey, white, gold, green, red, blue… Plastic balls all kid of shape – you name it. Garlands of any size and colour enough to give you dizziness. 

  ! Food Food Food and Drinks: “Face in salad!” Classic saying for a good New Year eve. Russian salads go far beyond the letters in rancho dressing. Solid dish itself for its ingredient-stuffed consistency. And for that  matter the mix of vegetables(all kind) with meat or chicken or fish might surprise many foreigners especially from Western countries. Nah, its really tasty, you wouldn’t need to fetch your acid indigestion’s meds. 

“Unimaginable, ridiculous…how can it be that Soviet man and woman would buy those goods made by Yankees?”- one of those thoughts that bothered a big chunk of an entire social class whenever they wrap-up on how the New Year celebrated this days: countless fireworks, shocking size and form of toys…  Can blame ‘Yankees’ only for Xmas’s design that kicks the wallet’s zipper.  Most, if not all goods are made in China.