When is Christmas celebrated?
The main celebration is Wigilia, the Christmas Eve supper on 24 December. 25 and 26 December are both public holidays.
Who brings the presents?
Presents are opened on Christmas Eve after supper. Depending on the region they come from Święty Mikołaj (St Nicholas), the Gwiazdor or the Aniołek (little angel).
Traditions
- Supper begins when the first star appears in the evening sky, in memory of the Star of Bethlehem.
- Before eating, everyone shares the opłatek, a thin wafer, and exchanges good wishes.
- Traditionally there are twelve meatless dishes on the table.
- An extra place is set for an unexpected guest, and hay is placed under the tablecloth as a reminder of the manger.
- Many families go to Pasterka, the midnight Mass.
What's on the table
- Barszcz, a clear beetroot soup, with uszka dumplings
- Carp
- Pierogi with sauerkraut and mushrooms
- Kutia, wheat with poppy seeds and honey
- Makowiec, a poppy-seed roll
- Kompot made from dried fruit