Interesting. I know nothing about Christmas traditions in Slovenia and it would be really fascinating to learn how our boys might celebrate it. What do you usually eat at Christmas, do you give gifts, do you hang out with family etc.? ^^ Don't take any pressure though - answer only if you feel like it.
I'm probably not the best person to answer this question since my family isn't very typical Slovenian, but I will try
One set of my grandparents were very much "anti-Church" so they never celebrated Miklavž, hence no presents for little LadySLO
With my other grandparents, I would get little presents like I mentioned before, usually it's sweets and oranges or clementines. There are usually events for children in town market (or somewhere indoor) where St Miklavž comes to visit the children (similar to Santa).
For Christmas, it's usually just a family dinner. At midnight, many people go to midnight mass. If you only go to church once a year, this will be the day you go.
For Christmas dinner, it would often be cold cuts for starters (locally produced prosciutto, mortadella, different kinds of cured meat, cheese, olives. A very typical dish is something we call "francoska solata" (=French salad) Here's a funny piece of information. Abroad this dish is called Russ!an salad. I'd love to know how that happened, why do we call it french, but I have no idea
But if there's one thing I'm willing to bet is that the JO boys eat french salad together with their families during Xmas holidays/New Years. (unless if some of them don't like it of course but it's definitely on their tables)
For the main dish it would be either some roasted meat, ham... my grandmother would always make Steffani roast, if not for xmas then for NY evening. Not sure if this is known abroad, it's basically minced meat roast with a boiled egg in the middle. As a child, I was always amazed how she managed to get the egg in there.
Another typical and REALLY popular starter for NY eve dinner is Beef tartare. Some people make it themselves, but you can buy it freshly made in supermarkets too. They make extra during holiday season because it's really popular. Usually eaten with toasted bread. If you want to buy toast during holiday season, you better stock up before people buy every single packet! (it has happened to me that I was too late and I just stood in front of empty shelves in the amazement where did all the toast go)
Christmas markets are a thing in Slovenia as well, with vendors selling gifts, mulled wine, hot chocolate etc in the town markets. You know it's holiday season when half of the town smells like cinammon and clove. On the night of 29th, 30th and 31th there are usually concerts everywhere, even in small towns. In smaller towns (such as where I live) these are usually in big tents. I really really dislike that. (the humidity dripping from the ceiling
) JO has played in our town a few years ago in a tent like that too.
I think this year in Ljubljana it will just be an outdoor concert in the city square and hopefully the weather isn't bad. There's no way they can get a tent big enough anyway
Oh and for xmas dessert, typical dessert would be "potica" The traditional filling is wallnuts and raisins. But it can be also hazelnuts or tarragon or poppy seeds, and my favourite (not so traditional
) coconut & cream.
https://sl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slovenska_potica
Oh I forgot dedek Mraz.
https://sl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dedek_Mraz As much as foreigners often connect Slovenia with Russ!a, that salad and dedek Mraz are one of those rare direct connections.
Dedek Mraz is the last out of the three old men that bring kids presents.
Most of us have a bad childhood photo taken of us sitting on dedek Mraz's lap. I refused to sit so I am just standing next to him with a WTF look on my face. It would be fun to see JO's photos of this from their childhood.