Novy God

Novy God (Russian: Новый Год, translation: New Year) is a lot like Christmas. It is the time when families and friends come together at a table covered with many favorite dishes, to celebrate something meaningful. Fir trees are decorated with beautiful glass ball ornaments, as well as tinsel. Grandfather Frost is said to deposit presents under the tree. However, this is where the similarities end. Grandfather Frost is not a "version of Santa". He is based on the god of cold weather in Slavic pagan pantheon, a son of the goddess of death and the god of forests and animals. He dislikes those who complain about the cold, and is extremely generous to those who accept him cheerfully.

Novy God is a major holiday in Russia, marked by a massively produced Novogodni Ogonek (New Year's Party): a televised celebration that includes performances from favorite pop singers and professional dance troupes, not unlike The Oscars or the MTV VMAs, with famous personalities and celebrities as presenters. It is also popular in many countries that were formerly part of the now defunct Soviet Union. The coming of the new year is marked by the Kremlin Clock striking twelve.

The actual Christian Orthodox Christmas celebrated by Orthodox Christians on 7 January.