5 Differences Between Slovak & American Christmas

[@nicksterba]

What other differences are there that I didn't mention? How do you celebrate your Christmas? I personally realy enjoy the Slovak Christmas traditions 🎄 If you want to support the channel, buy me a coffee! ko-fi.com/sterba

[@margaretavanekova4808]

Slovaks use stockings... but on December 6th. It's St. Nicolaus day.... it's mostly for kids... kids prepare their stockings under the Christmas tree.. or the place where the Christmas tree will stand. Slovaks usually prepare Christmas tree on St. Nicolaus day or day before, for kids to be able to put their stockings under it. Also we call it "čižmička" which means little boots... when I was kid we didn't have Christmas stockings. We used our real boots which we were wearing outside. The old tradition is about kids cleaning through their boots so St. Nicolaus can put treats into the kids boots... and meaning for it is to learn kids to clean their boots. Now it is more Americanized and we use Christmas stockings for it. Basicaly in America you put tradition about St. Nicolaus day and Christmas together in one day. In Slovakia we still hold the tradition that these two events are two different things. St. Nicolaus has nothing to do with Chritmas.... he was just and old guy who wanted to make children happy ... I don't remember which century it was... odl guy, wanted to make Children happy and put treats into their boots during the night, when kids woke find treats in them, that is original tradition. You can google more info about St. Nicolaus and original tradition, it's too much to write in coment about :D

[@Pidalin]

I absolutely forgot about this tradition, it's weird that you were doing a lot of things as a kid and now you completely forgot that such traditions existed. But I am Czech, maybe you keep traditions more in Slovakia. When I was kid, we were throwing petards to st Nicolas and his weird pedohpile group. 😀

[@MargarétaVargová]

I only remember it because that was the only workay in year when I was able to wake up early 😅 and I got treats, my parents couldn't afford treats often so St. Nicolaus day was almost like birthday, but with sweets 😅​@@Pidalin

[@mariasurikova702]

I live in Slovakia since I was born there 50 years ago - and I know plenty of Slovaks from different regions .... We do not use stockings on December 6th or ever - on St Nicolaus Day we use boots (and wash them before). Whoever uses stockings is following American or some western culture. We prepare Christmas tree on (or 1-2 days before) December 24th. Whoever prepares it sooner is trying to follow some western culture. We mostly put it down just after January 6th, but there are regions where keep the Christmas trees until the February 2nd. In last 30 years (since 1989) the habits changed and differentiated a lot - under the influence of western cultures. So its even harder to speak about Slovak traditions. I´ve heard that some people even keep the Christmas tree from the beginning of Advent (western influence) till February 2nd. But this is not Slovak "tradition". It´s just nonsense mostly made for the amusement of children.

[@janaelizabethsekelski]

You forgot nice tasty "kapustnica" we eat especially in East Slovakia and we havent štedrák or potato-mushroom soup :) We love homemade cheesecake, salmon, kapor fish too and nice tasty potatoes salad with🌟🎉🤩

[@nicksterba]

You are so right, I don't know how I forgot about kapustnica, my mom makes it every year and it's delicious. I think I have enough content from the comments when I talk about this again next year hah, Slovak Christmas is great🎄

[@janaelizabethsekelski]

@ thank you and HNY from Košice🤩🎉🌟

[@meadowlarkfine4646]

In our house, the Slovak Christmas goodies are makovník and, my favorite, orechovník.

[@nicksterba]

I've had both of those and they're super tasty. I like to have them with coffee. I hope you had a great Christmas 🎄

[@petermura9296]

Super video ❤❤😂

[@miooxavier6224]

Excellent video on the differences. In Slovakia, we know American traditions from movies, but for an American, the differences can be really shocking.

[@miroslavsimkovic4165]

Regarding the fish (carp mostly) as a traditional Christmas meal in Slovakia: Fish in Christianity and carp at Christmas - Fish as a symbol in Christianity The fish in Christianity carries a deep symbolic meaning. Its roots go back to the Greek word "ichthys", which translates as "fish". If we combine the initial letters of the individual words of the Greek creed "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour", we get the word "ichthys". With this simple acrostic, the fish became a secret symbol for the early Christians that both united them and protected them from persecution. Why carp at Christmas? The tradition of eating carp at Christmas has several contexts in Slovakia: Symbolism of rebirth: A fish that lives in water and breathes underwater symbolizes rebirth and new life. In the context of Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, this symbol is particularly significant. Ancient Slavic traditions: Eating fish was part of the ancient Slavic customs associated with the winter solstice. Fish was considered a source of strength and vitality. Availability: In the past, carp was relatively easily available and affordable, especially during the winter months. It was therefore a suitable choice for festive tables. Lent: Christmas falls at the end of the Advent fast, during which meat was traditionally not eaten. Fish was therefore a suitable alternative. Carp at Christmas in other countries The tradition of eating carp at Christmas is not exclusively Slovak. It is widespread in many other Central and Eastern European countries, such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and some parts of Germany. In these countries, carp has a similar symbolic meaning and is an essential part of the Christmas festivities.

[@Pidalin]

1:44 - why would they do it when Stanta doesn't put gifts into socks in Slovakia? 🙂 I don't know how in Slovakia (they are more traditional people then we are), but here in Czechia, the vast majority of people I know don't eat carp and definitely don't buy it alive, only some old people or villagers who follow traditions do it. Most of people these days eat schnitzel, also turkey is getting more popular. If you want to follow tradition that "real" meat it banned in 24th december, many people switched to salmon, it's better quality fish meat and you will not die because of bones, most of people hate eating carp and they were doing it just because they were forced to do that by their parents/grandparents, so now when they are adult, they absolutely hate it and don't eat it. When I visit my mom for christmas, we mostly have salmon in 24th december and then we visit grandma in 25th december and we have mostly turkey. Traditionally in Czechia and Slovakia, you are at home in 24th december and you visit grandmas or other relatives in next 2 days, but in last years, I pefer to have foreign vacation to skip all these christmas nonsenses. Christmas were never really holidays of peace and relax, it's exact opposite and my generation (people around 30) probably absolutely hate christmas because of bad memories from childhood.

[@MargarétaVargová]

I'm exactly 30yo and to tell the truth we have carp every christmas, but we also have salmon (I have small kids so I don't want them to choke with bones 😅) and we only have one small carp, so it's just for tradition to have one on table. But tell the truth I go to local fisherman with fish farm and he kills the carp for me, also cleanse it and empty it for me... he usually gives me prepared for cook carp and I also buy few trouts at his shop ..... trout is almost like salmon.... and Christmas are abit stressful... but I always care for my family happines and if I see them smile it makes me happy too... so it's only point of view... I love Christmas... bcs my kids are happy for it 😊

[@Pidalin]

@@MargarétaVargová I thought that Christmas with smiling where people don't want to kill each other exist only in american movies, don't tell me that some people have such christmas in real life, I don't believe it. 😀

[@PeterMikula]

Boxing day comes from UK. There the nobles or more wealthy used to give presents to the servants in small boxes. Therefore the boxing day.

[@nicksterba]

Hm that's a good explanation for it then. I imagined more something with boxing, like fighting, but knew it couldn't be that lol

[@miroslavsimkovic4165]

@@nicksterba Off topic and out of curiosity: Nick, isn't the original form of your name Štrba? I guess it was a bit modified to be easier to pronounce in English, becoming Sterba instead. 😊

[@nicksterba]

@miroslavsimkovic4165 Hi Miro, it probably is for the Slovak pronunciation, yes. Though it's from my dad's side, and my dad is Czech, the way it's spelt for him/me the Czech way is Štěrba. So, same name basically, but 3 different spellings/pronunciations 😅

[@miroslavsimkovic4165]

@@nicksterba Oh, my bad, I didn't realize that your name could actually originate in Czech! Yep, you're right, it is Štěrba in that case!

[@milanrastislavstefanik1918]

As a Slovak, I don't understand why our traditions are so shocking and surprising to you 😅 (except the carp in the water, I admit that's pretty weird, lol). I mean, Slovakia and USA are copletelly different countries, with both having their own history, language, culture, values etc., and being even on different continents, so obviously, our traditions will differ a lot from each other. Now, there have been some mistakes in the video, such with as Christmas days, because we only refer to 24. December as the official Christmas eve/day, while the following days, (being called "Prvý sviatok Vianočný" = first Christmas holiday day, and "Druhý sviatok Vianočný" = Second Christmas holiday day), are only additional holiday days, during which we just enjoy our gifts, eat leftover Christmas food, and spending time with family. 26th December has no other special name, like those you've mentioned. As for food, those cookies filled with jam are called Linecké koláče, and you have forgotten about Vanilkové rožky, which are made up of flour, sugar, and grinded up nuts, in a shape of crescent. The most popular in soup here is actually Kapustnica, made of cabbage, sausage, smoked meat, special type of pasta called Mrvenička, mushrooms, and sometimes even plums. Another popular soup for Christmas here is Mačanka, and here in Slovakia, we eat bread on the side together with most soup. Lastly, before the Christmas dinner, we all have a slice of apple, and a single unflavoured piece of waffer, drizzled with honey and few garlic cloves for good health and fortune.

[@wakda]

pupaky -> not sesame but poppy seeds

[@nicksterba]

Correct, I need to spend more time proof-reading some of the sources I use...

[@wakda]

Beautifull PC

[@krakatit7730]

Are you a gamer ?

[@mariasurikova702]

Sorry, I´m not going to watch this video (probably another one just picking some random things and making them general). Sorry if I´m mistaken. I only want to say this - in December we have found in our 10-members co-workers group more than 5 differences in what we eat and what are our traditions during Christmas. All of us are Slovaks and I dare to say Catholics - by faith or cultural tradition. E.g. the soup - I know 4 different kinds of fermented cabbage soup eaten in Christmas in Slovakia: 1 made from only fermented juice and mushrooms (plus additives like spice, onion, garlic etc.), 2 made from fermented cabbage and mushrooms, but without meat, 3 simmilar but with meat, 4 some white cabbage soup (probably with cream). My sister-in-law, who grew up some 3 km from our town, ate cabbage soup at Christmas first time in her life after the marriage, because her family comes from the nearby region (or rather valley?) where the fish soup is traditional at Christmas. Not mentioning another dishes. Actually, I´m writing this comment as an reaction to the opening picture of your video, where there are few dishes I have never eaten at Christmas in my 50 yo life. No offense. I wish you happy new year!

[@ashleyburnett9805]

I'm an American living in Trencín Slovakia lol😅

[@nicksterba]

Nice! Glad to know there's another American in Slovakia. I hope you're enjoying your stay here 😉 Trencin is nice, been there before.

[@miroslavsimkovic4165]

First of all, happy and prosperous new year to you, Nick! And thank you for your nice educational video. 🙂 Now, about the stockings: You're right, using stockings as a Christmas decoration is not a part of our tradition, however, as you know, we have another, rather minor holiday before Christmas, that is, St. Nicholas's Day and on that day there is a tradition of putting some small treats and gifts for children right into their boots and/or stockings in the evening before the St. Nicholas' Day. And, if I remember correctly, there used to be some decorations for the Christmas tree in the shape of small stockings some 40-50 years ago that we could use to decorate our trees, alongside the more traditional and common Christmas balls and "salónky", the special confectionery used as decorations.

[@margaretavanekova4808]

I wanted to write it too.. :D you forgot to mention that St. Nicolaus day is at 6th of December...

[@petermura9296]

Tie vaše ponožky sú len kópia topánky a traduje sa to od svätého Mikuláša. Ďalej Santa klaus je len výmysel coca coly pretože vianoce sú krastansky sviatok a oslavujú narodenie Ježiša krista. Starý pohania slávili zimnú rovnodennost a preto dávali stromček do domu aby chránili život. USA neexistovali keď my sme tu dávno slávili život. Príjemné sviatky 😊

[@matua8849]

Great video👍

[@petermura9296]

Ešte keď sláviťe 6 januára st. Mikuláša tak je to gregoriánsky sviatok. Všetko to mate pomixovane 😂😂😂

[@MartaMixa]

Christmas is religious holiday !!!!!! And ,please research more about Slovak Christmas !!! This video is very bad .

[@margaretavanekova4808]

it's not polite to be this acusing... this person is trying to learn about new country.... yeah negativity and nagging is the right way to motivate person to learn something... great work...

[@nicksterba]

Thank you for your feedback Marta, I hope you had a great Christmas 🎄

[@89itis]

LOL, Christmas used to be a pagan holiday of winter solstice. Christians just stole and renamed it 😉

[@miooxavier6224]

Your behavior is very bad.