When should one give gifts in Ukraine?
While gifts can be given at any time and for any reason, there are certain days when they are somewhat expected from people who one is close to.
New Year’s Eve: This is one of the most important celebrations in Ukraine and it has taken on an added significance in the past century because during Communist times, Ukrainians were only allowed to celebrate the 31st of December and not Christmas. Gift and flower-giving are deeply associated with this holiday.
Birthdays: In Ukraine birthdays can be a big affair and can even last for several days. People are known to go out of their town or city with friends and have big parties with lots of presents and champagne.
Women’s Day:
A Public Holiday and a very important day in the Ukrainian calendar. On this day, women just relax at home and the men present them with different gifts and look after them. Forget about giving a gift to the woman in your life on this day and you will probably find yourself in an unrecoverable situation.
Valentine’s Day:
Due to TV and the internet this holiday has gained quite a lot of popularity over the past ten years or so. As a result, Ukrainian women do now expect romantic gestures on this day and it is celebrated almost identically as in the West.
Major National Holidays in Ukraine
Jan 1 New Year’s Day
Jan 7 Christmas Day
Jan 14 Orthodox New Year
Jan 22 Ukrainian Unity Day
Jan 25 Tatiana Day
Feb 14 Valentine’s Day
Feb 23 Men’s Day
Mar 8 International Women’s Day
Mar 20 March equinox
Apr 1 April Fools
Apr 20 Orthodox Easter Day
May 1 Labor Day
May 9 Victory Day / Memorial Day
May 11 Mother’s Day
May 17 Europe Day
May 25 Kiev Day
May 25 Cultural Workers and Folk Artists Day
Observance
Jun 8 Orthodox Pentecost
Jun 21 June Solstice
Jun 28 Constitution Day
Jul 7 Kupala Night
Jul 8 Family Day
Jul 27 Navy Day
Aug 24 Independence Day
Sep 23 September equinox
Oct 5 Teacher’s Day
Dec 6 Army Day
Dec 21 December Solstice
Ulyana – Jan 3
Anastasia – Jan 4
Evgenia – Jan 6
Klavdia – Jan 6
Lidia – Jan 19
Maria – Jan 19
Tatyana – Jan 25, celebrated like Students’ Day, very popular among students
Nina -Jan 27
Ksenia -Jan 31
Inna – Feb 2
Anastasia – Feb 4
Ksenia – Feb 6
Maria – Feb 8
Anna – Feb 16
Maria – Feb 19
Valentina, Anna – Feb 23
Marina, Kira – March 12
Antonina – March 14
Galina – March 23
Maria – March 31
Svetlana – Apr 2
Larissa – Apr 7
Alla, Anna – Apr 8
Maria – Apr 14
Tamara – Apr 28
Irina – Apr 29
Tamara – May 2
Alexandra – May 6
Elizaveta – May 7
Irina – May 14
Varvara – May 19
Alexandra, Julia, Faina – May 31
Julia – June 16
Valeria, Maria – Jun 20
Maria June 22
Alexandra, Antonina – June 23
Angelina – July 14
Anna – July 18
Olga, Elena – July 24
Valentina, Alevtina – July 29
Marina, Margarita – July 30
Maria – Aug 4
Darya -Aug 17
Natalia – Sep 8
Elizaveta, Raisa – Sep 18
Ludmila – Sep 29
Vera, Nadezhda, Lubov – Sep 30
Veronica – Oct 17
Taisia – Oct 21
Zinaida – Oct 29
Anastasia – Nov 11
Alexander – Nov 19
Ekaterina – Dec 7
Varvara – Dec 17
Anna – Dec 22
Angelina – Dec 23
Marina – Dec 29
