Badnjak (Croatian)

The log is cut with great ceremony on Christmas Eve morning, which for Roman Catholic Croats is December 24.

The cutting, preparation, bringing in, and laying on the fire are surrounded by elaborate religious rituals, with many regional variations.

[1][dead link‍] This refers to staying awake throughout the night to tend to the badnjak and wait for the coming of the saviour Jesus Christ on Christmas Day.

Scholars regard the tradition as inherited from the old Slavic religion, where Christians began referring to the celebration of Christmas as the Feast of Lights.

Early in the morning, traditionally before dawn, the father or another male of the household goes into the forest to chop a piece of log, usually from an oak tree if it could be found, but, if the region does not have any, than beech, olive, or maple can be used.

When the perfect tree is found, the father would invoke God by reciting the Lord's Prayer several times and making the Sign of the Cross and would then cut it.

In the southern part, women would adorn the logs with leaves and flowers and wrap them around with red and gold ribbons.

In Istria, if wine or rakija is sprinkled on the badnjak, a family member toasts: "Drink to your health" (Pij u tvoje zdravlje) believing if they don't then ill fortune will come to them.

Other more traditional Croatian decorations include children hanging greenery throughout the home, such as holly branches, sage, ivy and evergreen wreaths, which are seen as a symbol of the strength of life in the middle of winter.

Traditional foods include lamb, roasted pig, sarma with sauerkraut and sausage, stuffed peppers, pita, salad, and freshly baked bread.

Some traditional Christmas desserts include fritule, kroštule, strudel, orahnjača, makovnjača, Bishop's bread, and gugelhupf.

A large supply of dried fruits, honey, and nuts (mainly walnuts and almonds) are always kept at home and eaten throughout the Christmas season.