Christmas is the most important time in Poland and the most traditional one. What is the most important we celebrate it two days when it is a public holiday for everyone.
Poles do not really start celebrating Christmas until Christmas Eve, but then the Christmas season in Poland finishes much later than in America. The Christmas season in Poland starts with the end of Advent (Christmas Eve) and finishes with Candlemas on Feb. 2.
Gift Giving
The custom of gift giving can be a little confusing, especially for children, since St. Nicholas / Santa Claus gives presents approximately three weeks before Christmas. So who is responsible for the gifts received on Christmas Eve In the region of Lesser Poland and in Silesia ( where I permanently live), it is the baby Jesus or his messenger, a small angel, that brings the presents and, since they are invisible, their presence is signaled by the ringing of a bell. The children are supposed to remain silent during Christmas Eve dinner so that the gift givers would not be afraid to enter the house.
For Poles, Christmas Eve ( 24th December) is a night of magic when animals are said to talk and people have the power to predict the future. For Poles, Christmas Eve is a night of magic when animals are said to talk and people have the power to predict the future. It’s a time for families to gather and reconcile any differences, and to remember loved ones who have gone before them.
It’s a time for families to gather and reconcile any differences, and to remember loved ones who have gone before them.
But traditions at my home are different because I come from family who were born in America and France and lived in different continents.
What traditions do you have? It is very interesting....
Your Polish Christmas if very different to ours in Australia and it varies here.
ReplyDeleteIn our house and in many, Santa comes Christmas Eve down the chimney, and if you don't have one he comes anyway. Milk and Christmas Cake are left on the dinning room table for him to eat. When the children wake up Christmas Day morning the 25h December, they undo their gifts usually first thing. After Christmas Dinner which in our house is about midday, we all gather as a family (those that can come) and undo our gifts to each other. However, some people go away for Christmas, some people give gifts Christmas Eve and so on.
As for the meal on Christmas Day, we have a hot meal of Turkey, Lamb, Ham, baked veggies, sweets, then tea or coffee. Evening meals consists of salads and meat. Many people have barbecues, some people go out for Christmas dinner to a Hotel, Restaurant, beach. Some people don't bother at all.
Margaret thanks for a long answer. You are very nice blogger friend and so loyal . Thank you very mych. The world is difffeent but it is beautiful..
DeleteThanks again for our cultural update on Christmas, Gosia. It's so much fun to see how Christmas is observed in a different place. Turkey and ham will be on most menus here, but many serve soups. There are also some traditions for New Years EVe.
ReplyDeleteLinda, at my place Christmas is almost the same in each houise. But it is definitely different in big cities - where I ive and in small villlages. Here where I live it is the richest part of my country so Christmas is celebrated like in Western Europe.
Deleteinteresting traditions! here, so many people decorate for christmas at thanksgiving (end of november) or even earlier. then the day after christmas, they're putting it all away.
ReplyDeletemy family used to keep the creche scene up until january 6th so the 3 wise men could be displayed.
It's interesting to learn about the Christmas customs of other countries. My family gets together both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to eat and exchange gifts. We follow Norwegian traditions for food because my grandma on my mom's side was Norwegian. Santa comes for the kids overnight on Christmas Eve and they leave carrots for the reindeer and cookies and milk for Santa.
ReplyDeleteCythia it is wonderful you have had tradiotions which came from your ancestors. I love multicultural countrie because it is a melting which is very interisting for me..
DeleteWe do mass on Christmas eve, Gifts and dinner on Christmas day, and leave all the decorations up until January 6 for the wise men to arrive!
ReplyDeletePat, at my place decorations up untill 6th January. Most of us go to church... In my opinion your Christmas is similar to ours but food is diffferent...
DeleteVery interesting and nice blog post, Gosia.
ReplyDeletethanks a lot
DeleteI love to see the different Christmas traditions in different countries. Here in Southern Spain, Epiphany (Three Kings Day) is the time traditionally reserved for the exchanging of gifts. Santa Claus (Papa Noel) is not a traditional figure here. The Three Kings are the gift-givers and most cities have a Three Kings Parade where candies are thrown to the crowd. I have a feeling I'd really love that poppy seed cake!
ReplyDeletepoppy seed cake is great and delicious. You must try one day..
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