Christmas customs in Poland

From Free net encyclopedia

Christmas is the most widely celebrated and the most important holiday season in Poland, full of rituals and merriment. Unlike other Christian countries, a greater emphasis is placed on Wigilia (Christmas Eve) than Christmas Day.

Preparations for Christmas start with the Advent. This is an especially important time for religious Catholics. The week before Christmas is very hectic, full of bustle and preparation for the impending celebrations. Every house or apartment needs extra cleaning and sometimes redecoration.

One must buy Christmas presents, food for the Christmas meals and a Christmas tree (usually a fir tree) that is lavishly decorated and placed in a prominent part of the living room.

The Polish Christmas season is an occasion for family reunions; everyone endeavours to spend the evening with their family. Traditionally, the Christmas Eve feast begins with the appearance of the first star in the sky. Everybody gathers together and wishes one another breaking with everyone a special wafer. After the wishes the feast starts.

Tradition states that a Christmas dinner should comprise twelve meals. This might seem excessive but because it is a fasting day all are rather hungry.

Meat is avoided; rather, fish, pasta, sauerkraut, mushrooms and beans are consumed.

Usually after the meals are finished it is time for Christmas gifts.

At midnight many people go to a special Mass in Roman Catholic churches called Pasterka (Shepherd's Mass).

The first day of Christmas is just celebrating in the family circle.

The second day of Christmas is for visiting friends and relatives.

See also

• Wigilia the Christmas Eve vigil supper
• Christmas around the world