Hi everyone!
In this post I will share my knowledge with you about
what to expect when you go to Lithuanian celebrations, and hopefully help you
find something that you can't find somewhere else on the web.
If
you are interested in Lithuanian public holidays
you
can read about their meanings and traditions on various
Sadly,
Christmas in Lithuania has become quite westernized, and much more importance
is put on gift-giving, but I believe that there are still some families left
that do decorate Christmas trees (at least fake ones if not real) and prepare
12 dishes, from which very importantly you must have "Kūčiukai"
and "Kisielius". (Recipe link: http://goo.gl/zUQgnb and http://goo.gl/AdptmZ).

If someone does invite you to visit them during one of these three days of Christmas, don't forget to bring something with you (depends on who you will be visiting). Some suggestions?
- A nice dish (but don't experiment, better to make something that you
have made and liked before);
- If you are from a culture that usually has eggnog during the celebrations,
make some of that, Lithuanians will be surprised as it is not traditional
for our culture;
- Bake ginger cookies or gingerbread, smells and tastes delicious;
- Some people bring Christmas tree decorations, especially cute if it's
hand made!;
- Winter socks or gloves! even if it seems weird, in the end the
receivers will wear them when the cold winter days come and they will be
saying how thankful they are for those;
- And lastly if you really have no creativity or cooking skills, just
buy a bottle of whisky or vine, a box of chocolates will also be just
fine.
Exciting! The Lithuanian superstition says "The
way you'll meet the new year is the way you will spend it". Some take it more seriously than others, but believe
me, especially among the youth it is (at least subconsciously) very important
to look your best, drink the best drinks, eat the best food, have the best
fireworks, and be at the best party. Of course not everyone has the opportunity
to do so, especially after the usually expensive, costly Christmas
celebration.
about traditional New
years in Lithuania, but I will put it in a more
simplistic
and more current way of celebrating for students.
If you go to a New years party in Lithuania, which is not a club event or some New Years Mascaraed ball (usually happens annually in one of the cities in Lithuania), you will have to dress appropriately, formal shirts, dresses, chic outfits, party tops and so on. Do not forget to bring your alcohol, some even ask you to participate on chipping in for the commonly bought food for everyone, as this is purely treated as a get together and just drinking the night away with fun and dancing.
And remember DON'T fall asleep before midnight so be a responsible drinker! Not only will you miss amazing fireworks and the most fun part of the night, but also, it is said that it is bad luck to do so, because you will be tired and lazy all year. It is also believed that you have to return all borrowed money and things before the new year, and start the year fresh, with no debt or hard feelings.
If you are invited to a birthday party in Lithuania, usually the details are given quite clearly about the dress code, place, drinks, gifts and food. If not, make sure you are aware of the surrounding that you are going to. Some parties are really low-key and chill, where you can wear casual clothes, bring a simple symbolic gift and eat some food and have some drinks. But most parties are actually quite the opposite, that is why I tell you to be aware. Some people go to the extreme and rent out a club and invite up to 50 people to their birthdays. Make sure you don't do much damage if you get super drunk, you might be asked to pay the next morning for the damage you've caused. And remember mind the neighbors, you don't want the police to arrive. Also, think about a sleepover, will there be one?, should you bring something to sleep in to be more comfortable? is an extra blow-up mattress needed, for you not to end up sleeping in a bathtub?
An advice for a birthday gift from me would be: if you don't know the person very well, try to chip in on a gift that the closer friends are buying. :)

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