Christmas Traditions Around the World (Part 3)

In the old days, Christmas would have been unthinkable without the customs associated with the holiday.
All of these are fond memories that have been revived with a tradition. 
However, Christmas is still the most intimate, sacred holiday for many today, which cannot be 
complete without temple ordinances and customs.

Christmas Habits - Luca's Day

The line of folk customs in December opens with Luca Day. 
It is believed that on December 13, with the long nights of winter, 
that is, the darkness, St. Luca was transformed into a witch. 
To deter the witches, garlic was inserted into the keyhole, a knife was placed in the door jamb, 
a cross with garlic was drawn on the door, or the broom was placed crosswise.

Nothing was allowed to be borrowed or given that day to prevent it from falling into the hands 
of witches. The girls predicted their future in Luca's day. 
Tradition has it that women could not work because if they spun or sewed on Luca’s day, 
the hens would not lay eggs. On Luca’s day, the boys set off to visit familiar houses and 
waited for donations in exchange for their good wishes. If this was not the case, 
then, in turn, curses were sprinkled on the house.