Yes, REAL moss for people to add to their nativity scenes at home. What I did see, though, was little kiosks and roadside stalls selling Croatian nativity sets and REAL moss. It makes me cross each year, but I know why shops do it, as fools like me always buy ‘ just this one thing‘ early. Each year in Australia, Christmas tree decorations and the myriad of green and red things begin appearing earlier and earlier. Even the Shopping Centers waited until well into December to put up the very meager amount of Croatian Christmas decorations. No department stores = no fancy window displays. So far, here in Croatia, the lack of Santa agrees with me. I’ll be having no Santa “the big fat lie” Claus in this house.Īll those lies and deception, for what? For my children’s imagination? We have all year to work on that, without creating a lie for which most parents force children to behave in place of gifts. There, I said it, and you can hate me back all you like. Those who know me in real life know that I hate the Santa lie. Just no Santa photos, no all-singing, all-dancing, in-your-face commercialism of any kind. My sad little face became all bright and cheery when, on December 17, we found our very first and real tree for sale on the side of the road.
Briefly, I thought I would ditch my idea for a real tree and grab a faux one, but that idea lasted all of two mins until I saw the sorrowful and ugly faux trees for sale. They told me that real trees are only sold from about December 20 and, traditionally, the tree is not decorated until December 24. I was a little sad when I asked why, as I really want to get my tree up and start to get in the spirit.
There were a few decorations here and there, but no massive section at the supermarket. What you will notice above everything else is food, lots and lots of food! No Christmas Tree Who Needs A Department Store, When You Can Have Handmadeĭecember 1 came and went, and there was zero sign of any trees, faux or real. Croatian Christmas traditions and customs have changed over the years, but some of the oldest ones have managed to stick and are still practiced today. Which Christmas Traditions In Croatia Are Different?Ĭroatia is overwhelmingly Roman Catholic in majority, so that should tell you that this time of year is a critical period on the calendar. A few things stood out to me concerning how we’ll celebrate our first Christmas in Croatia compared to Christmas in Australia. Of course, the differences are many, so Christmas time is no exception. My Very First Real Tree & My First One In CroatiaĪlmost everyone asks about how things compare between my here and your there when you’re an expat. So low-key, in fact, I can hardly believe that Christmas is just days away. But now what? Usually, there are so many parties and activities at this time of the year that I struggle to find the time to attend them all. Having my sister visit last week was brilliant it was a boost from home that both she and I needed. It’s been seven months since we moved from Australia to Croatia, and it feels like it was just yesterday in so many ways, yet a lifetime in other ways. It’s almost here, our very first Christmas in Croatia. Other Ways To Enjoy The Holidays In The BalkansĮditors note: I updated this post in 2018 with traditions, although this post was initially written in 2013 when I moved to Croatia.Christmas Story Of The Salaj Family: SalajLand.Check Out These Christmas Markets In Croatia For A Jolly Good Time.It’s A Long Christmas Season In Croatia.How Do You Say Merry Christmas In Croatian.Which Christmas Traditions In Croatia Are Different?.Christmas In Croatia – Christmas Traditions & Christmas Markets In Croatia.