Though Russians decorate a tree for the holidays, their tree is a New Year's tree, not a Christmas tree. The Russian New Year comes before Christmas in Russia, but the tree is typically left up through Christmas. This is the case with public New Year's trees, like the one in Moscow that decorates the Kremlin's Cathedral Square. This special tree, selected months in advance, is over 100 years old and was cut down in one of Russia's vast forests (RT).

Winter Landscape photo credit: iStockphoto/nadiusha

Christmas Eve, December 24th, is a special day in most Eastern European and East Central European countries. On this day, many families prepare meatless meals and wait for the first star to appear in the sky before dining. Some families will tell fortunes and follow superstitions according to regional customs, attend mass, decorate the Christmas tree, and remember family members who have passed on. Children will receive gifts delivered by one of many different Christmas gift-giving characters - whichever most suits the traditions within their home country, region, or family. In some countries, Romania and Bulgaria in particular, caroler will go from house to house and sing songs that recall the pagan era. Croatians will tie a ribbon around live sprouted wheat, and Czech families will enjoy their Christmas carp.

• Christmas in Eastern Europe

Christmas Decorations photo credit: iStockphoto/Ginaellen

Russian winter weather is famous for being bitterly cold. Russian winter festivals, like those in Moscow, celebrate the winter weather and even take advantage of the cold. Sculptors can carve out glittering creations from ice in the open air. This year, a a miniature replica of the tsar bell was a main attraction at the Moscow Russian Winter Festival.

Aspects of Russian culture focus on staying warm. While Russian vodka is the most well-known remedy against winter weather, Russians also employ samovars (Russian hot water heaters), valenki (Russian felt boots), fur coats and hats, and other means of keeping the freeze at bay.

Russians are extremely resilient against the cold weather, though a traveler to Russia may find the sub-zero temperatures shocking. If you're traveling to Russia during the winter season, whether for the Christmas in Russia, or for another reason, follow tips for winter dress to protect yourself from the discomfort and danger of frostbite.

Christmas traditions in Croatia, in part, mimic the Christmas customs of Eastern Europe's other countries, with a Croatian twist. Popular Christmas tree decorations in Croatia are licitars - handmade and hand-decorated edible treats given to loved ones on special occasions. Croatians also sprout wheat and tie it with national colors along with other traditions. Christmas lights in Zagreb and other cities in Croatia create a holiday atmosphere for locals and tourists alike.