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.

Presents Gifts 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