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Hello! My name is Adam, and I’m from the Czech Republic. I enjoyed my Christmas holidays by indulging in traditional cookies (cukroví). While I don’t have a favorite Christmas fairy tale, I appreciated the chance to relax and take a break. My favorite gifts this year were a drone and a LEGO airplane, which made the holidays even more exciting! I also celebrated New Year’s Eve (Silvestr) really well, adding a great start to the new year.

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Czech Christmas: A Festive Season of Tradition, Faith, and Folklore

The Christmas season in the Czech Republic, known as Vánoce, is one of the most enchanting and tradition-rich times of the year. For Czechs, Christmas is more than just a religious holiday—it is a celebration of family, love, generosity, and the continuation of cherished customs passed down through generations. The season is marked by a blend of Christian beliefs, pagan roots, and unique Czech folklore, creating a holiday unlike any other.

The Advent Period: Anticipation and Joy

The Christmas season begins with Advent, a time of spiritual preparation that spans four weeks leading up to Christmas Eve. During this time, many Czech households display Advent wreaths, typically made of evergreen branches, adorned with ribbons and four candles. One candle is lit each Sunday during Advent, symbolizing hope, peace, joy, and love.

Advent calendars are another popular tradition, especially among children. These calendars often contain chocolates or small gifts, and each day brings a little more excitement as Christmas draws closer.

In the towns and cities, the festive spirit comes alive with Christmas markets, which are a beloved highlight of the season. Prague's markets, particularly those in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square, are among the most famous in Europe. These markets offer a wide variety of handcrafted gifts, traditional decorations, and seasonal treats. Visitors can enjoy mulled wine (svařák), roasted chestnuts, trdelník (a sweet, rolled pastry), and sausages while browsing the beautifully lit stalls.

The Magic of December 24th: Christmas Eve

In the Czech Republic, Christmas Eve (Štědrý den) is the pinnacle of the holiday season. Unlike in many other countries, where the main celebrations occur on December 25th, Czech families place the greatest emphasis on December 24th, which is considered a day of mystery, magic, and joy.

Morning and Daytime Customs

Traditionally, many Czechs observe a fast on Christmas Eve, with the belief that those who abstain from eating meat during the day will be rewarded by seeing a golden pig (zlaté prasátko), a symbol of good fortune. While this custom has become less common in modern times, the golden pig remains a playful and beloved part of Czech Christmas folklore.

During the day, final preparations for the evening’s festivities take place. Families put the finishing touches on their Christmas trees, which are often decorated with handmade ornaments, lights, and traditional straw stars. Some people add edible decorations like gingerbread cookies or candy.

The Christmas Eve Dinner

The centerpiece of Czech Christmas is the dinner on Christmas Eve. This meal is steeped in tradition, with specific dishes that have been enjoyed for generations. The main course typically consists of fried carp (kapr) and potato salad (bramborový salát).

The carp is usually purchased live in the days leading up to Christmas from street vendors, a unique Czech custom. It is not uncommon for families, especially those with children, to keep the carp alive in the bathtub before it is prepared for the meal. Children often name the fish and sometimes even grow attached to it, creating a bittersweet moment when it is time to cook it.

The dinner table is set with great care, often including an extra place setting. This empty seat is reserved either for an unexpected guest, symbolizing hospitality, or in memory of loved ones who have passed away.

Christmas Eve is also surrounded by various superstitions and customs meant to bring good fortune and insight into the coming year:

Cutting an Apple: After dinner, an apple is cut horizontally. If the seeds form a star shape, it symbolizes health and happiness in the year ahead.

Floating Walnut Shells: Small candles are placed inside walnut shells and floated in a bowl of water. The movement of the shells is said to predict the future; a shell that stays afloat suggests a long and stable life.

Pouring Lead: Melted lead is poured into cold water, and the resulting shapes are interpreted as omens of the future.

Shoe Throwing: Unmarried women throw a shoe over their shoulder. If the toe of the shoe points toward the door, it means they will marry within the year.

Gift-Giving and Ježíšek

After dinner, families gather around the Christmas tree to exchange gifts. Unlike in many cultures where Santa Claus or Father Christmas delivers presents, Czechs believe in Ježíšek (Baby Jesus) as the bearer of gifts. According to tradition, Ježíšek secretly places gifts under the tree, and his arrival is marked by the ringing of a small bell.

Children eagerly open their presents, often with a mix of excitement and wonder. It is a magical moment that reflects the joy and innocence of the season.

Midnight Mass and Spiritual Reflection

For many Czechs, the day concludes with Midnight Mass (Půlnoční mše), a deeply spiritual tradition that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Churches across the country are beautifully decorated and filled with hymns and carols. Nativity scenes (betlémy) are also a common sight, often intricately crafted and displayed in homes, churches, and public spaces.

Christmas Day and St. Stephen’s Day

December 25th (Boží hod vánoční) and December 26th (Svátek svatého Štěpána, or St. Stephen’s Day) are quieter days dedicated to family and relaxation. These holidays are often spent visiting relatives, sharing meals, and reflecting on the blessings of the season.

Baking and Sweets: A Culinary Tradition

Baking Christmas cookies (vánoční cukroví) is an integral part of Czech Christmas. Families often begin baking weeks in advance, preparing a wide variety of cookies and sweets. Popular types include:

Vanilkové rohlíčky: Crescent-shaped vanilla cookies dusted with powdered sugar.

Linecké cukroví: Linzer cookies with jam filling.

Perníčky: Spiced gingerbread cookies, often decorated with icing.

These treats are shared with friends, neighbors, and visitors, symbolizing the spirit of generosity that defines the season.

The Spirit of Czech Christmas

Czech Christmas is a time of warmth, love, and togetherness. It is a season that beautifully combines faith, folklore, and family traditions, creating a sense of continuity with the past. Whether in bustling cities or tranquil villages, the magic of Vánoce is felt in every corner of the country, bringing people together to celebrate life’s most important values.

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Hello. I'm Zuzka. And i really like christmas! And even in Czechia we have some traditions. for example one of them is cutting an apple in a half. And when you cut it in a half you should see a star from the seeds in the apple and that means you will have good health in the next year. and if you don't, well...goodluck i guess. But that's not the only traditon! And of course we are also decorating the tree or bake gingerbread mans! Or we say that if you will not eat any meat 'till The christmas dinner you will se a golden pig! sound absurd? yea...kinda is. And we also watch a lot of Christmas movies! mostly the Czech ones. And for Christmas dinner (if you want the most traditional one) We usually have potato salad with schnitzel or carp. But ofc it's different in diffrent families. 100 people 100 tastes what can i say: :) and then presentsss!!!!!! yippieeee.

Alright. Thank you for reading and veryone have a great day!╰(*°▽°*)╯

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What did you think or have for Christmas? What did you get or receive? I got a phone, mic and headphones. How do you celebrate Christmas? We celebrate it by not eating all day so that we can give out golden pigs. At 6 o'clock we all sit down at the table and have dinner of schnitzel and potato salad or carp and then we open our presents.

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Hi my name is Ondra my favorite holiday are Christmas my favorite present is new bicycle im very happy my chrismas eve wos beautiful

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At CHRISTMAS,I WATCHED A CHRISTMAS MOVIE,DECORATED MY ROOM AND WE DECORATED THE CHRISTMAS TREE .

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For Christmas i decorated my room different lights, Christmas is important for mr and for our family.

I hope you enjoyed your Christmas as much as possible

BYE.

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hello!, i will tell you,a couple of Czech traditions about chrismas. The first is that we open an apple and if there is a star , it means i will have a luck.The second is that we eat the chrismas dinner, we are not allowed to get up from the table until everyone has finished,after dinner we are going to open your presents.

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hello!, i will tell you,a couple of Czech traditions about chrismas. The first is that we open an apple and if there is a star , it means i will have a luck.The second is that we eat the chrismas dinner, we are not allowed to get up from the table until everyone has finished,after dinner we are going to open your presents.

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hi my name is petra our chrismas tradition is not to eat all day to make a golden piggy bank we also have soup and schnitsel for dinner we eat cookies

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my name is Marek and My tipycal dinner is"potatos salád" for christmas with some chicken steak and i enjoy it,my mom makes the best food in the world (my pov) and the christmas gifts were good i got diary of the little scaredy boy 1 and i got pokemons cards and i got puma clothing

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Hi my name is Matěj  I got it for Christmas air force one It's my favorite present

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Hi my name is Matěj  I got it for Christmas air force one It's my favorite present

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my christmas is good me too in the toilet my gifts were expensive

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my christmas is good me too in the toilet my gifts were expensive

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hello i am Jara and im from czech: before christmas i decorate my tree AND then watch the tv with my family or spend some time with my friends on my new computer,but im always with family,sometimes we go to my old village,cut an apple and build a little boat out of flat wood and put the apple on it then it goes around on the water and sometimes we even caught some unfreezed fish that attacks the boat,thinking its food LoL,thats all and i hope you enjoyed your christmas,my favorite gift is new Gaming computer (it was for early christmas)

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Hello :)

I like Christmas very much, i love christmas decoratinon.

At the dinner me familly is complete and my grandmom is here too.

After dinner we are singing christmas songs. After thet we are going for presents.

At the end of the day we watch TV and eating ice cream.

Thank you.

Bye

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Hi!

Before Christmas me and my family we are decorating the Christmas tree. We listen to Christmas songs and bake gingerbread.

When the Christmas break start I spent time with my parents and siblings.

In the morning 24th of December I woke up and eat ceremonial breakfast. Next we have free time and in the evening we had Christmas Eve dinner. We didn't have much food but it was still delicious. After eating, we opened the presents and enjoyed the time spent together. 😍

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hi my name is Zuzia. Before christmas i pack my cousins gifts and i put them under the tree. i help my grandma and mom with christmas dishes and wait till 3 pm because i usually go to my other grandma. im picky eater so i eat only potato and borsch then im opening presents and after a while im going back to my other grandma where i do the same thing.

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Before christmas, we prepare everything for christmas. Food and Christmas tree. In my family, we spent christmas eve in my grandmother house, but the christmas tree is in my house (because my grandmother's living room is too small for my family and christmas tree). On the christmas eve, we split christmas wafer and wish good things between my family. Then, we eat traditional christmas soup called "barszcz czerwony" or "barszcz" in short version (English: Borsht, Czech: boršč). When we ate the soup, we have all twelve main courses. We eat f. e. vegetable salad, holodets (jelly with fish/meat and vegetables inside) and "Greek-style fish". At the end, my family and I go to my family house and give presents. I got little drum and 3 books. I like it.

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I don't celebrate christmas in my family. I watch Grinch and open my christmas presents

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Hi my name is Sonia. Before Christmas usually December 15, on my mother's birthday, I dress up a christmas tree with my parents. Every year I go to my grandmother in Wroclaw. I usually eat borsch, croquettes and Vagetable salad for Christmas.

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Polish holidays are rich in tradition and deeply rooted in culture. Christmas is one of the most celebrated holidays, marked by family gatherings and a festive meal on Christmas Eve, called "Wigilia." Twelve traditional dishes are served, and sharing "opłatek" (a wafer) symbolizes unity and forgiveness. So yeah that's it. I hope I helped you to understand polish holidays.

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Before christmas i decorate a christmas tree. On christmas eve i eat a christmas dishes with my family. My favorite dish is pierogi, vegetable salad and bread. After a dinner we open presents. After this i go to my room and texting with my friends.

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On christmas we eat pierogi ruskie or barszcz z uszkami. This dishes are very tasty! Before christmas eve we are decorate christmas tree. On christmas eve we eat 12 dishes. After eating dishes we unpacking presents.

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At the christmas time me and my family put hay under tablecloth and we share wafel.

It's super cool that we are connected with this traditions.

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Before christmas me nad my family decorate our christmas tree. on the first day we visit my grandmother and eat Breakfast

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Before christmas I decorate my room and christmas tree🎄🎄.I always listen christmas music. On the morning of the christmas eve. I help my parents with prepare food .What food we it in christmas? For example borsht with dumplings,special salad,a lot of types of herring.On evening of christmas we gather and we starter with wishes then we start eat.eat.Then we open presents from santa claus.claus.And finally we watch home alone.

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Hi,my name is Cara.

The first thing I do before Christmas is buy and decorate the Christmas tree and bake gingerbread cookies.On Christmas Eve I usually visit my family and we spend Christmas together.We also eat Christmas dinner prepared by my Grandma.On Christmas Day me and my family watch ,,Home Alone''.We usually go ice skating at least once.I open my presents on the 24th.The best present i got this year is probably my new tablet.

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hello!

Before my christmas I was dressing up the christmas tree with my parents. When my school break starts first few days I spent at home in Warsaw, but the next three days I spent in my grandparents house. On 24th I got a presents and they was fantastic. I'm really greatfull that I could rest on this Christmas break and spent this special time with my family.

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Before christmas we decore our christmas tree. On christmas eve we eat christmas food. My favorite one are pierogis, barszcz z uszkami and bread. After christmas dinner we open presents and i text my friends to tell them what i got. I really like christmas because its time to spend time with my family.

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So apparently my families christmas tradition is to spend the christmas eve with my Portugese/Romanian/French family. My family also has developed a habbit of buying a big pack of sushi as the 13th dish. my familly has also developed an habbit of spending the christmas at France where we do the fireworks at 24th of december around 8pm. even tho i am not in Polnad while the christmas eve the polish pierogi , barszcz and all other dishes are a must have

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before chritsmas we decorate christmas tre. On christmas eve in the evening we have a feast with tasty dishes. We usually probably open presents right after the feast (i dont know how other people open the presents) In 25 december at 00:00 people going to church to celebrate Jesus birthday. At 26 december i dont know what people do in this day but other people have other traditions. Now i will present you some dishes:

1. Barszcz z uszkami (borscht with dumplings)

2. Ryba po grecku (Greek fish)

3. makowiec (poppy seed cake)

Thats how we celebrate christmas in Poland.

:D

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So before the Christmas we decorate a Christmas three 🎄🌲 then we make some dishes and go to my aunt and uncle, there we eat some Christmas food for example borscht with dumplings or carp. Next we share the wafer and wish a wishes then we watch a Kevin home alone( this is our tradition). I love Christmas not because there are gifts but because there are my family and I can spend time together.

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hello!

before christmas eve me and my family decorate christams tree and home. we bake gingerbreads and make winter tea (honey, cinnamon, orange, cloves, ginger). on the christmas eve me and my parents go to my cousins house, we sit at the table in the evening and we eat dinner together. afterwards we unpack our presents and watch home alone ofc together. on 25th of decmber we drive to my grandparent's house and we continue to celebrate. i love chrtistmas because i can spend this special time with my family.

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Before christmas we all sit by the table, talk, children play and run. Right before dinner we share wafer and say some wishes. we eat dinner and then we open presents. Everyone is happy and look at the presents. Then we just sit for about an hour and everyone goes their seperate ways. On the next day me and my family go to my cousin's house. We spent the whole day we have to watch "home alone". children are playing with other children, teens are spending the time with teens and parents are talking with parents.

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In poland there is tradition to set one more place for homeless or some one like this. The next tradition is to place little bit of hay under tablecloatch. We also open presents after christmas eve, no like england or usa in the first day of christmas

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Before christmas we decorate our christmas tree. My grandma with my mum cooked 12 dishes. These dishes include red borscht with dumplings

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Before Christmas i decorate my Christmas tree. I also make gingerbread cookies. On Christmas eve we eat Christmas supper together. I eat croquettes and sandwiches with salmon. After the supper we open our presents and play games. I spend every Christmas with my grandparents.

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Hi, my name's Karolina.

Before Christmas I help out my mom with cooking and baking

I also sometimes help my parents pick out the presents for our family, and wrap them up. We decorate our small Christmas tree every year, and mostly spend the Christmas at our grandparents house with the whole family.

The classic things that always show up on my family's Christmas table is probably:

Smoked salmon, bread, gingerbread men,

Pies, some fishes, a jarzynowa salad.

Of course there's always a bit of potatoes for the picky eaters.

I really enjoy the food and the time with my family.

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BEFORE CHRISTMAS WE DECORATE OUR CHRISTMAS TREE.

ON CHRISTMAS EVE WE WATCH TV AND UNWRAP CHRISTMAS PRESENTS.

WE CUT THE APPLE TO SEE A STAR..

I LIKE CHRISMAS

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We before Christmas decorate our christmas tree and house 🎄. I bake with my mom and grandma biscuits🍪 . On the Christmas Eve after the unwraping presents we watch TŘI OŘÍŠKY PRO POPELKU together 🥜. Before watch the TV we cut the apple and we pour lead into the water 🍎. And for dinner on the Christmas Eve we have chicken strips (ŘÍZEK) and potato with my brother and our parents have fish with potato salad 🥗🥔🍗🐟. On the 25th we celebrate Christmas with our grandparents 👵🏻👴🏻. My favourite present for this christmas 2024 is mirror 🪞.

Lucy🫶🏻

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Before Christmas I bake Christmas biscuits.

On Christmas Eve I eat Christmas dinner and unwrap presents.

I like Christmas.

My best present is a Watch, clothing.

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Before christmas I decorate the christmas tree.🎄

On Christmas Eve I watch TV. I love fairy Tales! And my favorite Fairy tale is: 3 oříšky pro Popelku.🌰🌰🌰

And on the christmas Eve we go to bed at half past one/ 0:30.🎀

On the 25th December I visit my dad in Prague, and I am in Prague to the 29th December.✨

And at 29th December, I go to Home to Silvester.🎆

I like christmas🎄❤️

My best present of the Christmas 2024 is:

Skin care🎀✨

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I usually go out and buy the presents, wrap the presents and help my mother with preparing dinner before Christmas. I watch Christmas movies on Christmas Eve, My favourite movie is “home alone “ it’s a classic. We don’t do anything special on Christmas Eve but we hang out with our loved ones. Do u want to know a fun fact? Mongolian people actually don’t celebrate Christmas on 25th, we celebrate Christmas on the 31th right before New years. It’s really fun and i loooveee Christmas 🩷 and my favourite present is my camera actually and thanks for reading this and taking your time!!

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I watch TV my favorite movie is "Pelíšky". We cut the apple to see a star and pour lead into the water. We decorate the Christmas tree.

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Before Christmas I usually buy Christmas presents. On Cristmas Eve I watch TV. On 25th Deceber I usually vist my grandparents. I like Christmas.

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Before chrismas i decorate my room and bake chrismas biscuits. On Christmas Eve I usually watch tv but i dont have favorite and eat chrismas food, unwrap presents.

My favorite present is elektrick scooter 🫶🏼🎄

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Before christmas i decorate Christmas tree. And I bake Linz cookies with mom and dad 

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On Christmas Eve, my family and I watch animated fairy tales. Our favorites are The Grinch and the Three Brothers. I eat christmas dinner. I unwrap presents.

We cut the apple to see a star.

I am visiting my grandparents.

I Like christmas.

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Hi i am Honza

Before Christmas I decorate my room.

On Christmas Eve we eat Christmas dinner.

I watch TV.

We cut the apple to see a star.

On 25th December we usually visit my grandparents.

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Before Christmas i bake Christmas biscuits. On Christmas Eve i eat Christmas dinner and unwrap presents.

On 25th December we usually visit my grandma and grandpa. My best present is Melanie Martinez cd.

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Before Christmas i decorate Christmas tree. I watch tv with my family. I don't do anything special on Christmas Eve. I don't visit anybody on 24th/25th December. I like Christmas. My best present Is PlayStation. and best present i give was phone.

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Before Christmas we decorate our Christmas tree 🎄

And bake classical sweets (my favorite is “vosí hnízda” in English wasp nest.

I watch TV with my family my favorite fairy tale is “Mrazík” it’s not from Czech Republic, it’s from Russia we were in the Soviet Union when they were recording it.

On Christmas Eve we just eat, eat, eat and eat then we unwrap presents 🎁

And that’s all from me. 🎅🎄

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Hi i am Honza.

Before christmas i decorate my room.

I watch tv.

On 25th December we usually visit my grandma.

I like christmas.

My best present is electric guitar.