1. No Work Was Allowed During Christmas

Once the Christmas period began, all work stopped.

This meant everything had to be prepared in advance. Food was cooked ahead of time, usually seven to twelve dishes, a number believed to bring good fortune. Homes were cleaned thoroughly, tools were brought inside, and nothing that symbolized labor was allowed to remain visible outdoors.

Every household also had to brew its own beer before Christmas. Beer was considered essential, not optional.

Working during this sacred period was believed to bring bad luck for the entire year. Even borrowed items had to be returned before Christmas began. Leaving unfinished business behind was thought to invite misfortune into the home.

This belief reflects something still present in life in Estonia today: a deep respect for boundaries between work, rest, and seasonal rhythms.

2. Hosting the Spirits of the Ancestors

One of the most mysterious parts of ancient Christmas in Estonia involved welcoming ancestral spirits into the home.

People believed that during the Christmas period, the spirits of deceased family members would return to visit. To honor them, hay was spread across the floor so footsteps would make no noise. Silence was important. Spirits were said to dislike disturbance.

Beds were left unused because they were believed to belong to the spirits during this time. Instead, people slept on hay. Food was left uncovered on the table so spirits could eat, and every room was kept lit throughout the night.

Interestingly, the spaces under beds and dining tables were always kept dark, as spirits were believed to rest there.

On Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, families were encouraged to stay awake. If not everyone could manage it, at least one person had to remain awake to “guard” the household.

These rituals reveal how strongly ancient Estonians believed that the boundary between worlds thinned during winter.

3. The Christmas Goose of Estonia

Ancient Estonian folklore included a curious figure known as the Christmas Goose, a character similar to Krampus in German traditions or the Yule Goat in Scandinavian culture.

During Christmas, one of the elders would dress in an elaborate goose costume, complete with feathers and a beak. Carrying a stick, the Christmas Goose would follow children around the house, lightly striking them if they misbehaved or teasing them playfully with the beak.

This usually happened indoors and was meant to be humorous rather than frightening.

The purpose was simple. Christmas was a time of celebration, but discipline still mattered. Every member of the household had responsibilities, even during holidays. The Christmas Goose reminded children of that balance in a playful way.

4. Why Women Were Avoided on New Year’s Eve

One of the most controversial ancient beliefs involved who entered the house first after midnight on New Year’s Eve.

This tradition, known across many European cultures as “first footing,” held that the identity of the first visitor would determine the household’s fortune for the year.

In ancient Estonia, a tall, dark haired man was considered the best possible first visitor, bringing prosperity and good luck. A woman entering first was believed to bring misfortune.

However, Estonians found a workaround. If a woman had to enter first, she could drape a man’s trousers over her shoulders, symbolically transforming the omen and preserving good fortune.

While this belief feels outdated today, it highlights how symbolism once played a powerful role in everyday life in Estonia.

5. Salt in the Well for Health and Luck

Salt was incredibly valuable in ancient Europe, including Estonia. It was rare, expensive, and essential for preserving food. Because of this, salt was believed to carry magical properties.

Spilling salt was considered bad luck. To counter it, people threw a pinch over their shoulder, a belief that still survives today.

During Christmas preparations, salt was sprinkled throughout the house. But the most important ritual happened on New Year’s Day.

The head of the household would throw a large handful of salt into the well. Water was then drawn into a bowl containing a knife and a silver object. Starting with the eldest family member, everyone washed their face.

This ritual was believed to protect the household from illness and misfortune throughout the coming year.