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Svyatki

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One of the most popular Russian Orthodox Christmas traditions is fortune-telling on Christmas Eve. The time from January 6-19 (Epiphany) is called “svyatki” (from the word “holy”) – and has deep pagan roots, so deep in fact, that even the church couldn’t ban it outright. Slavic folks believed that it was the time when spirits would run wild – and used it to predict their future. While peasants tried to guess the weather and the harvest, young ladies thought of their grooms.And some girls still do it today!  Valentina from St. Petersburg says her favorite fortune-telling ritual is melting candle wax and then guessing the destiny, according to the resulting wax formation. Among other surest ways are burning paper and looking for ash – or laying out cards. Yulia from Nizhny Novgorod prefers to just light a candle and predicts the future looking at its shadows on the wall. She does it with her mother. Besides predicting, some Russians write plans for the next year and compare them with...
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What do people do on these dates?

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People in Russia celebrate Christmas Day with activities such as having a family dinner, attending a Christmas liturgy and visiting relatives and friends. There is a 40-day Lent preceding Christmas Day, when practicing Christians do not eat any meat. The Lent period ends with the first star in the night sky on January 6 – a symbol of Jesus Christ's birth. Many Orthodox Christians go to the church to attend a Christmas liturgy that evening.  The first star also signals the start of the Christmas dinner. For many secular Russians, Christmas Day is a family holiday but it is not as important, for many families, as New Year's Day. Many people visit friends and relatives, as well as give and receive presents, on January 7. 
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Christmas Gifts From Russia

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If looking for Christmas gifts from Russia, consider buying nesting dolls and Russian lacquer boxes. In Moscow,  can find them in Izmaylovo Market or in Revolution Square during the Russian Winter Festival. Should also be able to find them in most—if not all—souvenir shops throughout the country. Don't have space in your carry-on? You can also purchase these beloved gifts online.
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Traditions

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Some Orthodox Christian traditions in Russia mimic Christmas traditions in other parts of Eastern Europe. As is the custom in Poland, in Russia, people will cover their floors and tables in hay to represent baby Jesus's manger. A white tablecloth is then laid out to symbolize the clothes Jesus was swaddled in. Over the holiday season, Russians may also fast; this fast is to be broken at the appearance of the first star in the sky on Christmas Eve.  A Christmas church service, which happens the night of Christmas Eve, is attended by Orthodox church members. Even President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev have begun attending Moscow's solemn, beautiful services.
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Babushka

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Babushka To people in western Europe and the USA, one of the most famous things about Christmas in Russia is the story of Babushka. Babushka means Grand Mother in Russian. It tells the story of an old women who met the Wise men on their way to see Jesus.  However, most people in Russia have NEVER heard of the story as it was probably created by an American poet and writer called Edith Matilda Thomas in 1907! 
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Ирония судьбы or Ironiya sudby

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On New Year's Eve, a popular and now 'traditional' film to watch on TV is called 'The Irony of Fate' (Ирония судьбы or Ironiya sudby). It's also known as 'Enjoy your Bath' or 'With a Light Steam' and was made in 1975 during the Soviet era and was always shown on Soviet TV on New Year's Eve. It's a romantic comedy about a man who drinks too much and gets very lost after having a sauna with some of his friends. The Irony of Fate is also shown on Russian TV on New Year's Eve. It's also shown on New Year's Eve in Belarus.
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Cookies and Childrens

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There are Russian Christmas cookies called Kozulya which are made in the shape of a sheep, goat or deer.  In some areas, children will go carol singing round the homes of friends and family and to wish people a happy new year. They are normally rewarded with cookies, sweets and money.
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