If you are losing a bit of that nostalgic feeling for the Christmas season, pack up and go somewhere else. We spent this past Christmas in the village of Birchiş, Romania, and New Year’s eve in Arad. The morning of 
Monday, December 24 began with a ceremony at the long standing village basilica, ornate with detailed, hand painted walls and ceilings. Children carried bags receiving fresh homemade bread, and a church crew dressed in traditional holiday costume performed. Completing the ceremony, the musicians began a march outside of the basilica complete with drums, wind instruments and vocals, at approximately 11 am. Throughout the day and into the evening, village children went house to house dressed in traditional costumes, caroling and acting out different religious scenes. They were complemented and rewarded with fresh bread and/or money.
After the traditional breaking of bread with money in each side to see who will be destined to have the best luck in the coming year, an abundance of traditional rich, fresh foods were served up: fresh pork, all homemade bread, cheeses, soup, various spreads of eggplant (Salata de Vinete) and vegetables (Zacuscă), prune dumplings (Găluşte cu Prune), and mini cakes. We ate, of course, too much.
Somewhere in the neighborhood of probably 4:30 to 5:30 am we were softly awoken by the distant chant of 
drums in a steady beat that was gradually growing closer. Soon the group of musicians from the basilica arrived, having marched non-stop from the previous morning, delivering traditional cheer with a short performance at every house on every street in the entire village throughout the night.
Christmas day included more food (too much), visits to friends and relatives, warmed with the local homemade hooch (Țuică). We visited the town of Săvârşin, where King Mihai of Romania (self exiled upon communist takeover) returns to his palace, and although 93 years old, visits the people of his former kingdom, bringing food and gifts to those in need every year.
Too much food, warmed from the cold with homemade drink and wood burning heat, a visit from Santa Claus, generous givings from one of the remaining real Kings of a previous era, and carolers in a traditional age old performance. It’ll revive your Christmas spirit.
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Hello Irina thank you for sending me this link to these beautiful pictures and this wonderful story of Romania and your travels! Peace and love to you
Joanne