In Bulgaria people celebrate Christmas according the Christian Orthodox traditions. They sing carols, prepare special food and other things connected with their history.

Still many people do not eat any animal products like meat, eggs, milk and cheese, during the forty days of Advent. Fasting ends on the Christmas day and after forty days the meat products come back to their meal. It is also believed  tat Mary bore Christ on Christmas Eve but announced that on the next day to the world (December25th).

On Christmas Eve in Bulgaria is prepared special dinner which consists at least twelve dishes, but all without meat as we already mentioned. Each dish represents a month of the year. The traditional meals are prepared with beans, dry nuts, dry fruits and etc.

Christmas in Bulgaria is known as Koleda and Koleduvane is a custom where young boys dressed in traditional costumes sings songs and spread Christmas cheer around the houses in the village. The songs are for wealth and health to the hosts. This tradition is still practiced in many villages, but it is not in the bigger cities. The woman in the house on the previous day prepare ring shaped cakes, called kolache and give each boy one. The boys come with long sticks and put the kolache on it. It is popular to give the koledari money, wine and so on.

 On the Christmas dinner is prepared similar cake and a silver coin is inserted into. It is believed that the person who finds it will be strong as the silver, the love and good fortune will be with him all year. Christmas in Bulgaria is celebrated three days. On the third day, which is called “Stefan’s Day” the people with the names Stefan, Stefka celebrate their name day and welcome guests.