1. Christmas Eve Prepared by: Tadas Pavolis Arvydas Bagdonas Arvydas Bagdonas IIId IIId

2. Christmas Eve There are not many nations in the world that celebrate Christmas Eve so devotedly as the Lithuanians. Christmas Eve is more important than Christmas day in our country and in my family too. There are not many nations in the world that celebrate Christmas Eve so devotedly as the Lithuanians. Christmas Eve is more important than Christmas day in our country and in my family too.

3. In the evening on Christmas Eve all members of our family gather together and have a big dinner with twelve special dishes. In the evening on Christmas Eve all members of our family gather together and have a big dinner with twelve special dishes.

4. It’s necessary to have twelve dishes because Jesus had twelve apostles. All dishes must be without fat, milk, butter and meat, because it’s the last day of fasting. Usually we make dishes with fish, grains, green peas and mushrooms. The main dish is kuciukai – little cookies made from paste with yeast. It’s necessary to have twelve dishes because Jesus had twelve apostles. All dishes must be without fat, milk, butter and meat, because it’s the last day of fasting. Usually we make dishes with fish, grains, green peas and mushrooms. The main dish is kuciukai – little cookies made from paste with yeast.

5. Our family gathers at the dinner table as soon as the first star appears in the sky. Our family gathers at the dinner table as soon as the first star appears in the sky.

6. When everyone is assembled at the table we say the prayer. The father then offers his wafer to every family member or guest at the table. He wishes the best wishes for everyone. When everyone is assembled at the table we say the prayer. The father then offers his wafer to every family member or guest at the table. He wishes the best wishes for everyone.

7. In our family the Christmas Eve table is not cleared for the night, because we believe that the souls of our ancestors and others dead members of our family come home for supper on this night. In our family the Christmas Eve table is not cleared for the night, because we believe that the souls of our ancestors and others dead members of our family come home for supper on this night.

8. Christmas Eve is rich in prognostications. We draw straws from under the tablecloth. The longest straw means that our life will be very long, the thickest means that we will be happy. Christmas Eve is rich in prognostications. We draw straws from under the tablecloth. The longest straw means that our life will be very long, the thickest means that we will be happy.