In our bilingual family, we celebrate holidays three times during the winter break. We celebrate Christmas on December 25, New Year’s Eve, and Orthodox Christmas. That means many presents, cross-cultural traditions, and lots of delicious food from both cultures.
Following Russian holiday traditions, children are not just showered with gifts. Each child makes a handmade card, present. Often, older children use their savings to buy gifts for parents and siblings. For us, the holidays are about creativity, thoughtfulness, and family connection.
In Russia, gifts are traditionally exchanged on New Year’s Eve, the biggest and happiest celebration of the year, full of family, festive food, and joy. Orthodox Christmas, on January 7th, is quieter and more reflective, focused on family and traditional foods.
A fun detail many people don’t know about Russian Christmas events is that children usually don’t receive a gift right away. To earn a present from Ded Moroz and the Snow Maiden, children are expected to perform something first. Most often, they recite a short poem by heart, but sometimes they sing a song or join a small performance. It’s a sweet tradition that adds excitement, courage, and a sense of celebration to the moment, turning the gift into a reward for participation rather than just something handed out.
Celebrating both Russian and Western holidays helps children develop cross-cultural awareness, enjoy handmade holiday activities, and build lasting family memories.