July/Aug 2008


The Gift Tradition in Russia

Holidays by Month | Professional Holidays | Orthodox Holidays | Other

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What is Given on Russian Holidays

The gift tradition in Russia is very strong. It highlights a culture that is based on communal values, where society, friends and family are very important, and where one’s individual interests do not necessarily come first. As Russians like to say: “One is not a soldier on the battlefield.” In Russia, family is not simply the nuclear family of parents and children, but a much larger network of relatives. Family members all gather together for every holiday or important occasion. This is especially true of New Year’s.

In Russia, whenever someone travels overseas, family, friends and sometimes even co-workers expect that person to bring back presents. This likely stems from the Soviet era, when very few people had the wherewithal and freedom to travel outside the USSR. Thus, whenever someone went abroad, friends and acquaintances expected to hear stories of travel and to receive small presents and the story behind them.

There are many souvenirs and gifts that a traveler to Russia can bring back for friends or family at home. These include folk crafts ranging from small matryoshka dolls (available in a wide range of sizes and varieties, including with the faces of the Soviet General Secretaries and Russian Presidents) to more upscale items like Gzhel, Khokhloma, Faberge egg replicas, brooches, lacquer boxes, enameled jewelry, shawls and porcelain. High quality vodka or wine is also considered to be an appropriate gift in Russia.

Most holidays are celebrated at home; it is not customary to go to restaurants. Everyone gathers around the dining table, filled to overflowing with traditional dishes and deserts prepared by the women in attendance. The meal typically stretches throughout the evening and is peppered with toasts, jokes and anecdotes, sometimes a combination of all three! Some traditional dishes you would expect to find on the table include vinaigrette salad, Salad Olivier, fish aspic, kulebyaka, golubtsy and pelmeni.

After the meal, there may be dancing (especially at weddings or New Year’s) or going out into the city or for a picnic (in the case of Victory Day or International Women’s Day). On some holidays, many people like to visit museums and theaters.

The tradition of giving flowers as a gift is very widespread. Flowers can be given on any occasion (or even without any occasion) to a mother, wife, girlfriend, coworker or friend. From earliest childhood, Russian boys are taught the importance of giving flowers.

Holidays by Month

These are the most important Russian holidays and some ideas of gifts that can be presented for them (click on the month to show holidays for that month).

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

JUNE

JULY

SEPTEMBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

Professional Holidays

In Soviet times, a number of “special days” were created to celebrate certain notable professions. If you know someone in these professions, it would be considered a very astute (although also quite unexpected) gesture if you presented them with a small token gift on “their day”:

Other Orthodox Holidays:

There are many Orthodox Holidays throughout the year. In addition to those noted above, here are some others that have fixed dates from year to year:

Some Orthodox holidays change from year to year. These are shown below, with their dates for 2007:

Personal Russian Gift Giving Occasions