Traditional Polish Christmas

Christmas Tree

As in most countries around the world we have adopted the German tradition of decorating a Christmas tree. However, an old Polish custom exists, observed to this day in small villages: a treetop of a pine tree is cut off and then turned upside down and hung from the ceiling. Most people use fir trees smelling of the forest and decorate them with lights (originally candles), tinsel, baubles, candies wrapped in coloured wrappers, gilded walnuts, fruit and ornaments (snowflakes, snowman, icicles, bells and angels imagery are popular choices). An angel or star is often placed at the top of the tree, representing the host of angels or the Star of Bethlehem from the Nativity. Another old custom is to hang the mistletoe under the ceiling, it is a symbol of love, peace and goodwill and is believed to be the most magical, mysterious, and sacred plants of European folklore bringing good luck and health. Decorations create a unique ambiance in the house and make the festive mood more vibrant.

Nativity Scene

A representation of the Nativity Scene is also often displayed in the house, it exhibits figures representing the infant Jesus, his mother Mary, and Mary's husband, Joseph and other characters from the Biblical story such as shepherds, the Magi, and angels. The figures are usually displayed in a stable. and people are encouraged to compete and create most original or realistic ones. Kraków szopka (pron.: shop-ka), or nativity scene is a Christmas tradition dating back to the 19th century. Unlike traditional Nativity Scene, Kraków szopka portrays historical buildings from Kraków.


Christmas Gifts

We too adopted the tradition of Santa Claus. However, in our tradition he comes a day earlier--on Christmas Eve and we don’t open presents on Christmas day but after the traditional Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve.

The Christmas Eve Dinner

Traditionally we sit down to the dinner when the first star appears in the sky. Before dinner we break and share with the wafer, the holy bread usually blessed by the priest, while wishing one another all the best. That bread comes in small squares with pictures portraying moments from the life of Jesus or the saints. We traditionally have 12 dishes on the Christmas Eve table. We leave one set of plates extra on the table to show that we are happy to welcome any unexpected guests. Another custom is to put hay under the tablecloth. In my house we also used to put small coins under the table cloth or a fish scale in the wallet - both to bring prosperity. Among traditional Polish dishes there are: red borsch from red beets served with small dumplings filled with mushrooms or mushroom soup, pierogi-traditional Polish dumplings with cabbage and mushroom filling, herrings, and carp which is an absolute must and is served in all sorts of ways: fried, a la Greek, in aspic, Jewish style etc. For pudding there are traditionally cakes made with poppy seeds, my favourite is the so called kutia as it has plenty of nuts, figs and raisins and also other cakes like gingerbread or cheese cake. There are also some other regional dishes that vary throughout Poland.

“Pasterka” - the midnight mass on Christmas Eve

It literally means "the Shepherds' Mass". We traditionally go to church at midnight in memory of the shepherds who were the first people to find Jesus and sing Christmas carols together.

Christmas Day

We traditionally spend the Christmas day with family and the meals still have a festive character with the whole family gathering around the table.