Holy Eve (Sviatvechir) in Ukraine is celebrated on 24 December: since 2023 the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church follow the Revised Julian calendar, so Christmas Eve and Christmas now coincide with most of the Christian world. It is the warmest family evening of the year: with the first star people sit down to twelve meatless dishes, taste kutia, set up the didukh and sing carols. Below are short and longer Holy Eve wishes, poems and gift ideas for the festive table. Wishes for other holidays of the year are in our holiday wishes calendar.
Happy Holy Eve! May the first star bring peace to your home and kutia bring plenty for the whole year.
Christ is born! Warmth, light and family comfort on this holy evening.
May there be twelve dishes on your table and twelve months of joy in your heart.
Happy Holy Eve! May carols reach every home and bring peace and victory with them.
Wishes for family
Mum and Dad, thank you for every Holy Eve when we gathered around one table. May our home smell of kutia again this year and may all our family be close.
Grandma, your kutia is the best in the world. Good health, strength and many more holy evenings together!
My dear family, even if we are far apart tonight, may the first star connect our hearts.
Wishes for friends and colleagues
Friends, may this evening be quiet, warm and bright, and may Christmas bring hope to every home.
Colleagues, I wish you a good rest with your families and a light heart for the holidays. Christ is born!
May the didukh in your home guard all that is good and carollers bring only joyful news.
For those far from home
You are far away now, but there is a place at our table and a spoon for kutia waiting for you. Come home soon!
To our defenders: deep respect and the warmth of loving hearts. May Holy Eve bring you calm and faith in a swift victory.
Traditional greetings
"Christ is born!" — "Let us glorify Him!" This is how Ukrainians greet each other on Holy Eve and at Christmas.
Happiness and health, and may the New Year be better than the last! — an old carollers' wish for the hosts.
What to write on a holiday card
Happy holiday! May your home always be filled with warmth, peace and joy.
Best wishes! Bright thoughts, good health and people around you worth celebrating with.
May this day bring calm and every day after it a reason to smile.
With warmth and best wishes to you and your family on this holiday!
A small bouquet goes well with a card: flowers turn even a few lines into a special gift.
Greeting loved ones from afar
A video call — agree on a good time so the whole family can talk without rushing.
A voice message — a real voice feels warmer than text, especially for grandparents.
Flower delivery — a bouquet with a card delivered on the holiday morning makes a lovely surprise.
A family video — collect short wishes from all your relatives and send them as one clip.
Poems for Holy Eve
A star has lit the evening sky, The kutia steams upon the plate, May all your wishes multiply And peace and joy be at your gate.
A carol drifts above the eaves, The snow is sparkling by the door, May love be warm as Christmas Eve's And bless your home for evermore.
What to give on Holy Eve
On Holy Eve people visit with small gifts for the table: sweets, a cake or a festive arrangement. White roses symbolise the purity and light of Christmas and look lovely on the festive table next to the didukh. If you cannot come in person, order flower delivery for your family in advance.
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
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