Christmas Around the World in Omaha

We discover various cultural organizations in Omaha and learn how Christmas is celebrated in the Czech Republic, Ireland, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine. Our first stop is the Lithuanian Bakery where you will be greeted by owner, Lauri Mackevicius, while traditional Lithuanian music is playing in the background. Enjoy the taste of the famous Lithuanian Napoleon torte with a cup of coffee. The torte takes three days to make and is very a popular dessert during the holiday season.  During our visit the Mackevicius family will describe their family’s interesting journey to Omaha from Lithuania. They will also give a brief slide presentation on the location of Lithuania and the country’s history.

We then travel to Boys Town to celebrate an Irish Christmas at the Father Flanagan House. The prior 1920s restored home of Father Flanagan is decorated for the holidays according to Irish Christmas holiday traditions. Enjoy a guided tour of the historic house along with a guided tour of the Hall of History Museum. The Boys Town gift shop always pleases the shoppers in the group, especially around the holidays.

Lunch is at the Polish Home in Papillion, Nebraska. Experience a variety of traditional Polish homemade dishes presented in a large buffet. Learn about the Polish heritage of Omaha and the Polish holiday traditions and customs. St. Nicholas will greet us upon our arrival as well as a gentleman playing accordion polka music. After lunch we will visit the Omaha Czech and Slovak Cultural Museum which features many exhibits honoring Nebraska’s early Czech and Slovak immigrants. A guided tour will also give you an insight into Czech culture and holiday traditions. The museum offers an extensive gift shop featuring hand decorated eggs, cookbooks, glassware, ornaments, and more.

Our last stop on the tour is the Assumption Ukrainian Catholic Church for a Ukrainian Christmas presentation. Church representative, Olesia Reprichowskyj, will give a presentation on Ukrainian cultural traditions including the rushnyk cloth, a traditional embroidered linen passed down from generation to generation; Olesia’s family rushnyk dates back to 1912. Along with describing Ukrainian Christmas traditions, Olesia will also share her personal experiences growing up in Ukraine during World War II when the German army came to her village. Her family was forced to work as slave farm laborers in Germany. She was eight years old when she was separated from her family; her story of survival during and after the war is incredible. On previous tours, Olesia’s presentation has always been the highlight of the tour.