Transcript Christmas in Poland

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