Authors: florists Andrea and Monika, KvětinyExpres.cz · Updated: October 2026
Christmas Traditions and Customs: Bring the Magic of Christmas Home
Christmas is without a doubt the most beautiful holiday of the year. Most of us associate it with the scent of evergreen branches, gifts, and sweets. But in today's hectic pace of life, we often forget the small rituals that make Christmas feel like Christmas.
Take a moment to pause. We've put together an overview of the most beautiful Czech traditions and tips for Christmas décor you can try this year. Whether you're looking for luck, love, or simply peace of mind.
1. The Advent Wreath: A Symbol of Hope
It all begins on the first Sunday of Advent. Lighting the candle on the wreath symbolizes hope and the approaching light of Christmas (Christ).
Tip from florist Andrea: "Many people buy artificial wreaths, but they're missing the main thing – scent and living energy. A traditional Advent wreath should be made of fresh evergreen branches (fir, non-shedding thuja). The circle symbolizes eternity, and the green color symbolizes life. How to keep it fresh? Mist it gently with a water spray bottle every couple of days (careful around the candles). It'll stay beautiful all the way through Christmas Eve."
We tie our Advent wreaths from fresh, non-shedding fir greenery (Nobilis and Nordmann). The first Sunday of Advent this year is 29 November: for the wreath to arrive in time, order in Prague by Friday 27 November and for other cities by Thursday 26 November. You will find a guide to tying one yourself in the article How to Make an Advent Wreath.
2. Name-Day Traditions (Barbora and Lucie)
Christmastime isn't just about Christmas Eve – it's also about the December name days.
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December 4th (St. Barbara's Day): Single girls cut a cherry twig (a "Barborka"). If it blooms by Christmas, tradition says she'll marry within the year.
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December 13th (St. Lucy's Day): An old Czech saying goes, "Lucy takes from the night but adds nothing to the day." In the past, figures dressed in white (called "Lucky") would go door to door checking whether the house was tidy. Today, it's more of a symbol of light during the darkest days of the year.
What to Put on the Table, According to Tradition?
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Poinsettia: Its red leaves symbolize the Star of Bethlehem.
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Amaryllis: A symbol of pride and majestic beauty. It lasts without problems for 14 days in a vase.
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Christmas cactus: For long-lasting joy and color.
Christmas plants
Christmas bouquets
3. Mistletoe for Luck (According to Tradition, Only if Given as a Gift)
During the holidays, a home should never be without hanging mistletoe. The Celts believed it brought luck, fertility, and protected the home from fire.
You will find more about mistletoe, its meaning and traditions in the article Mistletoe, Christmas Traditions.
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A kiss under the mistletoe: Ensures mutual love for the whole year ahead.
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Mistletoe as a gift: Watch out for an important rule! Mistletoe only brings luck if you receive it as a gift. If you buy it for yourself, it works only as decoration.
4. Christmas Floral Table Décor
Tradition says the Christmas Eve table should be abundant and festive. Besides carp and potato salad, it's brightened by fresh flowers, which symbolize life even in the middle of winter. The floral décor should match the color of the Christmas tree.
5. Christmas Eve Fortune-Telling: What Awaits Us?
After dinner comes the time for a bit of magic. Try these customs passed down from our grandmothers:
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Cutting an apple: Cut the apple crosswise, perpendicular to the stem.
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A star shape: Means health and good fortune for the whole year.
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A cross shape: Warns of illness or hardship.
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Floating walnut-shell boats: Attach a small candle to a walnut shell and set it afloat in a bowl of water.
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Stays near the edge: You'll stay at home.
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Floats toward the center: You'll head out into the world.
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A scale under the plate: A classic that works. A carp scale placed under your plate (and then kept in your wallet all year) is said to ensure money stays with you.
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Honey on your cheeks: A lesser-known custom. If you want people to like you, dab a little honey on your cheeks before dinner. You'll be "sweet" and well-liked.
6. Throwing a Shoe (For Singles)
A young woman stands with her back to the door and throws a shoe over her shoulder.
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Toe pointing to the door: Means she'll marry and leave home within the year.
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Heel pointing to the door: She'll stay another year at her parents' home.
We wish you a magical Christmas. Whether you keep every single custom or just light one candle, what matters most is peace and comfort. If you want to skip the hassle of decorating, leave it to us.
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Christmas delivery 2026: We accept online orders until 5 p.m. on 23 December. On 24 December we deliver in the 9–12 time window and the shop is closed. We do not deliver on 25, 26 and 27 December and the shop is closed. From 28 to 31 December we deliver again, on 31 December in the 9–12 time window. We accept online orders for New Year's Eve until 5 p.m. on 30 December. The shop is open until 6 p.m. on 22 and 23 December and on 28–30 December, and until 12 noon on 31 December. On 1, 2 and 3 January 2027 the shop is closed and we do not deliver.
Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas Traditions
When does Advent 2026 begin and when do I light the first candle?
The first Sunday of Advent this year is 29 November. That is when the first candle on the Advent wreath is lit.
What does the Advent wreath symbolise?
A lit candle symbolises hope and the approaching light of Christmas. The circle of the wreath means eternity and the green fir life. More details in the article The Symbolism of Christmas Flowers.
When are the Barbora branches cut and what do they mean?
A cherry twig is cut on 4 December, on St Barbara's day. According to tradition, a single girl whose twig blooms by Christmas will marry within the year.
Who does mistletoe bring luck to?
According to tradition, only mistletoe received as a gift brings luck. A kiss under the mistletoe is meant to ensure mutual love for the whole year ahead. You will find more in the article Mistletoe, Christmas Traditions.
How do you cut the apple on Christmas Eve?
The apple is cut across, perpendicular to the stem. A star means health and luck for the whole year, a cross warns of illness or hardship.
How long does an Advent wreath last?
Placed away from heating and misted with water from time to time, the greenery stays beautiful for a full four weeks, that is, the whole of Advent. More details in the article How to Make an Advent Wreath.
By when should I order an Advent wreath?
In Prague order by Friday 27 November at the latest, and for other cities by Thursday 26 November. The first Sunday of Advent this year is 29 November. More details in the article How to Make an Advent Wreath.
Andrea and Monika, KvětinyExpres.cz
Related: Mistletoe, Christmas Traditions, Christmas Wishes, Christmas Trends 2026, Popular Christmas Flowers, How to Decorate a Grave at Christmas, Flowers as a Christmas Gift, Meaning of Advent Candles and the Wreath.
