A bundle of straw can easily be used for making Christmas tree decorations – an angel, a bull, or a star. Long ago, straw toys were the only New Year decorations used in Ukraine.

Now a green tree is a symbol of the New Year. But in the past people put Didukh up for the holiday. It was prepared in the summer and made from the last sheaf of the harvest.

[Irina Bilan, Master of Wreathing]:
"The last sheaf from the harvest is the closest to the first sheaf of the new harvest. In other words, it is a symbol of prosperity."

Such New Year Didukh was made from barley, oats, rye, wheat and flax. Didukh is a symbol of abundance.

[Irina Bilan, Master of Wreathing]:
"That means that people will have enough clothes to wear and food to eat."

Didukh was made by the whole family before the holiday. As for this toy, it's called the "spider". It consists of rhombs, which are in constant motion. According to ancient beliefs, it absorbs negative energy. At the end of the year people burned it and made a new one.

[Irina Bilan, Master of Wreathing]:
"When you have a bad mood or are in trouble, you can look at the spider and tell him everything. He absorbs everything and normalizes the energy indoors."

It is also great pleasure to make these straw products.

[Victoria Kostyuchenko, Wreathing Student]:
"I like the result and the process. I feel so emotionally re-charged. It’s so nice to make them, and then to enjoy."

And if you decide to make some straw decorations yourself, remember: before handling the material, it should be well moistened. And during the weaving it is important to tie the thread tightly.

NTD, Kyiv, Ukraine