Christmas in Poland

Typical Polish family is very traditional.

Everybody in Poland usually eats almost the same food and has the

same habits at Christmas time.

So, here are some traditions which we follow and respect…

Christmas tree Few days before Christmas,

we buy or cut a conifer like spruce, fir or rarely pine.

More and more often people buy Christmas

trees which are made in factories because they are less expensive than true tree and there is no work with them, we don’t have

to clean. Next, we decorate the tree with

Christmas baubles, chains, colorful fairy lights and sometimes something

sweet for instance candies for children.

PresentsGifts are either put under the Christmas tree or parents give

presents to a member of family dressed up as Santa

Claus. If you want to get your present you have to sing a

song or reel verse off. We get presents when the first star

appears in the sky. We usually get presents from aunts, uncles, grandparents and

godparents.

Wafer

Before dinner people share wafer with one another.

We give one’s best wishes. We wish money, happiness and health. Sometimes it’s

embarassing because every aunt kisses us and wishes us to have good

grades and a rich husband or beautiful wife. But not

only before dinner we wish something. When we go, for example to a shop, we

always say „Merry Christmas”.

Christmas Midnight Mass

At midnight people often go to church. We take part in a holly mass. It’s

Christmas Midnight Mass. Church is

very crowded and there are a lot of people. They feel

tired but it is a tradition.

Empty place

When we prepare dinner we have an

extra plate and seat for an

unexpected guest. When somebody

knocks on the door we should invite

him and offer food.

Hay

Under the tablecloth we put hay. It symbolizes the

place where Jesus was born – a crib

and hay.

„Home Alone”

It is almost a tradition. On Christmas Eve we watch movie Home Alone. One the TV channel didn’t want to

televise this movie and people wrote a petition to bring it back! Everybody

knows Home Alone by heart but it

doesn’t bother us to watch it again.

Carol singers

When you are in Poland don’t be suprised when some children

knock on your door and start to sing Christmas Carol.

They can look strange because

they dress up. You should give them

some money.

Twelve dishes

On the table there are twelve dishes which symbolize the

twelve apostles.

Beetroot soup with ravioli

Dumplings with sauerkraut and mushrooms

Herring

Croquette

Mushroom soup

Carp

Hotchpotch

Sauerkraut stew

Poppy-seed cake

Dried fruit compote

Cheesecake

Gingerbread

Christmas time is a special time for every Polish family. We spend precious moments together sharing and appreciating our company.

The End