Poland is a largely catholic country and Christmas Eve is a very important and busy day. It’s now often the most important day over Christmas – even though it’s not a holiday but Christmas and the 26th December are holidays!
How Christmas looks in Poland?
The decorations include glass balls, garlands, home-made ornaments and candles, with a star or a tree topper at the top. Fasting – Christmas Eve is a day of fasting, followed by a sumptuous dinner, consisting of 12 traditional dishes, which in most homes starts with the appearance of the first star.
Does Poland give gifts for Christmas?
Presents in Poland According to the ING International Christmas Survey, 52% of Polish people get practical presents at Christmas time. It’s pretty unusual to give cash instead of a gift, although 26% of those surveyed said that they got gift cards or money for Christmas.
What is Christmas Eve called in Poland?
Wigilia
Christmas Eve dinner, also known as Wigilia, starts when the first star appears in the sky. Nothing is to be eaten until all members of the family have broken the Christmas wafers (opłatek) together and exchanged wishes for good health and prosperity.
What do Polish people drink on Christmas?
Kompot Z Suszu (Dried Fruits Drink) Last but not least- kompot z suszu. It’s the only traditional Polish Christmas drink on this list. Kompot z suszu is super easy to make. You just need to put dried fruits (apples, pears, plums, apricots) to the big pot, add water, sugar, boil… and that’s it!
Who hangs Christmas trees upside down?
But it was southern Poland where the trend really thrived. In a tradition called podłazniczek, Polish people used “fruit, nuts, sweets wrapped in shiny paper, straw, ribbons, gold-painted pine cones” to decorate a spruce hanging upside down from the ceiling in the center of the room, according to The Spruce.
What are the most important Christmas traditions in Poland?
Christmas celebration starts in Poland on 24th of December and most of the traditions are connected with Christmas Eve. It’s the most special and meaningful day of the year. On 24th of December Poles gather around the table and eat Christmas dinner. After dinner family sits near Christmas tree, sing Christmas carols and exchange gifts.
Who is the real Santa Claus in Poland?
Polish Santa Claus is quite generous- he is coming again on Christmas Eve! Well, they speak more accurately, kids are getting presents again that day. Depending on the family customs, the gifts are brought by Gwiazdor (Starman Polish Santa), Aniolek (Angel), Dzieciatko (Baby Jesus), Śnieżynka (Snowflake), Dziadek Mróz (Jack Frost), or Santa Claus.
How many people go to Polish Christmas dinner?
Usually, there are more than 15 people at Wieczerza Wigilijna (Polish Christmas Dinner) so it takes some time until everybody wishes every single one of family member Merry Christmas. All wishes are personal. It’s the time when we say sorry for our mistakes and say thank you for everything that was good.
Why do Polish people go to church at midnight?
After the feast, at midnight, according to another important Polish Christmas custom, people go to church for the Midnight Mass (pol. pasterka) commemorating the prayer of shepherds who waited for the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Will you add any of the Polish Christmas traditions to your Holidays this year?