FREE SEAT AT THE TABLE

On 24th  December we all sit around the table and have a dinner with our family. We always have an extra seat left at Christmas table in case a stranger would knock at the door. It is because Poles believe nobody should be alone that day. We also put some hay under the tablecloth

WAFER

Very important custom in Poland is sharing 'oplatek' during the Christmas Eve dinner (24th of December). 'Oplatek' is a kind of wafer.

We cannot start the celebrations of Christmas Eve before the first evening star ('gwiazda' in Polish) appears in the sky. Then we break the  wafer with our family. We all kiss, hug, and share wishes of good health, love, thanks, forgiveness and good luck. I like it very much.

GIFTS

In Poland, we celebrate St. Claus Day on 6th of December. It is a social event. There are parties at schools and offices. Every child gets a small gift. Who places the gifts under Christmas tree on Christmas Eve (24th of December) then? It depends on the region you live. Some children get gifts from a Starman (a man with the star, in Polish 'gwiazdor'), some from Father Frost, others from  from Child Jesus or the Angel. However you have to be good. Otherwise you only get a birch (Polish 'rozga') :)

COURSES

On 24th of December we all sit around the table and have a dinner with our family. There are many dishes (7, 9 or more). On our Christmas table you can find fish (the most popular is carp), red borscht (soup from red beets) with dumplings filled with mushrooms,  and dried fruit compote. There is also poppy seed cake and kutia. Kutia is a dessert made from  poppy seeds, honey, walnuts and figs. It is very sweet.

Do you like Christmas?

What's your dream Christmas present?

Have you got snow during Christmas?

What is your favourite dish?