One of the Christmas traditions in Croatia is the growing of wheat on the run-up to the big day. Known as Božićna pšenica, or Christmas Wheat, the wheat is normally planted on the 4th of December, St, Barbara’s Day, and is left to grow up until the holiday period.

The wheat seeds are placed in a round bowl and sometimes decorated with red, white and blue ribbons. It's believed that the taller the wheat grows, the more prosperous the coming year will be. This tradition dates back to times when agriculture was the main economic activity and is connected with fertility cult.

Homes around the country will already be full of Christmas Wheat as the festive season draws ever closer.