This is in reply to a PM,but it may be of interest to others.
For many people here,Xmas is not a time to relax and be with their families as they have to work.This happens everywhere of course,with emergency services etc doing their jobs,but the difference here is that many shops are open despite little if any sales.The staff,usually female, often have no choice as labour laws are not enforced.I was here last Xmas and spoke to many ladies who were working in shops selling clothing,shoes etc,until perhaps 6 or 7 pm,when they would go home to their families. Many of them had children that they could not share most of the day with-the attitude of many employers is that if it is the turn of that member of staff to work that day,then the shop will be open,at the same rate of pay as any other day and no extra days off.
For us foreigners it gives us something to do and somewhere to go of course,with even markets selling fruit and veg ( Limited selection) working part of the day.It really reminded me of something from a Charles Dickens novel.
Greetings card shops do not exist in the way we have in UK(Business opportunity for someone?),perhaps partly because of the unreliable postal service,where mail might never be seen again after posting,especially if it has interesting stamps on it!Many small shops sell gifts and packaging with a few cards,so Xmas is a big event despite the communist years,and official decorations are in evidence around the streets from late November.
Some businesses close down for a week or two like UK,but they are the exception.New Year is a bigger event,with official fireworks and lots of parties in homes,bars and clubs.