Because Hungary is officially a Christian country - though there Hungarians with a variety of beliefs and non-beliefs, Christmas turns out to be the most important holiday to celebrate. The emphasis is on religion. And so, Christmas Eve is called Holy Evening. The holiday is far less commercial than in the United States, and perhaps purchasing from the equivalent of a crafts fair or farmer's market is part of that. Doing so as a tourist or citizen helps keep the local economy and micro-businesses afloat.
For instance, a Christmas tree (a Germanic custom) is put up in the family home by the family on the Eve. Traditionally, the Christmas Tree was lit with candles. Candles, as well as sparklers (!) may be placed on the tree, something that most Americans would fear doing in case of fire. If the children are small and not participating, the tree can be a surprise to see. They may be told that the angels brought the tree. They will get their gifts that evening and will be told that they were brought by Jesus, or Jezuska (little Jesus). If they did not participate in decorating the tree and it's meant to be a surprise, they may be told to wait until their parents ring a little bell to announce the time to enter the room, glowing tree and presents awaiting. The presents are wrapped to make the discovery of what's inside more exciting.
Candles are also used to decorate around the house, but are not lit until Midnight (the first moments of Christmas Day) and this moment is called Silent Night.
All day during Christmas Eve the household is bustling with activities. Christmas carols may be sung. Food may be prepared.
A favorite desert is called beigli, which is called a nut roll. The beigli can be filled with walnuts, almonds, chestnuts, pistachio - or poppy seeds, which are seeds and not nuts. Fish soup or stuffed cabbage rolls are popular choices for meals. Pork, however, is not eaten in the lead-up to Christmas, advent, so it is not until Christmas Ever that it can be used as a filling for the stuffed cabbages.
On Christmas Eve the last candle of the four used in an Advent wreath is lit. Four candles, for four Sundays are used in the wreath. The first symbolizes faith, the second hope, the third joy, and the last one is for love. The first three candles are purple, the final one pink, in Catholic homes. Usually the candles are arranged in a circle among some pine branches.
