Christmas in Czech Republic is celabrated on the 24th December when dinner is held in the in late afternoon early evening, according to a custom with the first coming out star. Presents are put under the tree, and the family gather round whilst the children sing traditional songs (no sing no presents!!). Czechs like many other nations like their sweet cakes and nibbles at Christmas and these include cookies of varying shapes and tastes and a traditional cake not heavy or rich but light with saltanas and currents.
tend not to indulge in savouries like sausage rolls (don't ask me) .
Many churches are now open for singing Christmas carols, many charities put their money boxes to collect some money mostly for children. How does Christmas praparation look like in a common family?
Czech women tend to tidy the flat (as many families live in a flat instead of a house), make the cookies, decorate the place but Christmas tree is done just few day before Christmas day.

Now we have a closer look on customs and what they mean not that all people still do it though.

Cutting the apple;
After the Christmas dinner take an apple and cut it across, and the importing thing is how is th apple gonna look from the insind resp. the star. If the star will have five or more hands everyone will meet at the dinner table next year in health, if the star looks like a cross someone may day or be ill. But do not worry and choose nice big healthy apples.

Throwing a shoe;
To find out what is going to happen to the unmarried girl in the house she is supposed to stand and throw a shoe behind her tho the door. If the shoe turned with the heel to the doorstep the girl will stay at home, if the other way the girl will get married and leave.

Scales;
Some scales from the fish that is served as a main dish on Christmas day should be put under the table. It means luck and everybody should have enough money all year round.

Golden pig;
On Christmas day, 24th December, is no eating day until dinner. Small childrem are told that if they manage to do that they will see a Gold Pig. To dinner table family sits down when the firtst star comes out.

Do not forget to set for one person more, in case an unexpected guest will pass by.