After asking people in my community about their favorite traditions, overwhelmingly, the answer was Christmas. Because of that, I wanted to share some of the special traditions I’ve experienced here in North Macedonia.
What stood out to me right away is how much intention is placed on simple actions—sharing food, gathering with others and marking the season in historically meaningful ways connected with nature.
What I’ve come to appreciate is how closely these traditions are tied to the environment and the time of year. The food people eat, the way they celebrate and even the materials they use all reflect the land, the season and the history of the place. It’s a reminder that holidays don’t just come from culture—they also come from where people live and how they’ve lived over time.
One of the most interesting traditions I have been able to experience here in North Macedonia is called Badnik, which takes place on Christmas Eve. Early in the morning, people gather oak branches that are later burned as part of the celebration. The oak wood symbolizes warmth, light and new beginnings.
Another part of the tradition involves a special bread called pogacha with a coin baked inside. When the bread is shared, whoever finds the coin is said to have good luck in the year ahead.
