Photo by Tim Douglas taken from LINK

Christmas Eve is the most beautiful and wonderful time of the year. It’s a time for family gatherings, magical moments, and shared traditions that have united people around the world for years. 

So, what  Christmas Traditions are celebrated in Poland? 

Christmas tree – families decorate the tree with ornaments, tinsel, and fairy lights. It usually stands in the living room where the family gathers for Christmas supper. It’s a time for conversation and the magic of the holiday. 

Sharing a Christmas wafer – shared at the first star, it symbolizes reconciliation, kindness, and closeness. For many, it’s a touching moment. 

Photo by Maria-Theodora Andrikopoulou taken from Pexels: LINK

Preparing 12 dishes – tradition says that one must try each of the dishes to have good luck in the new year. Christmas dishes are as follows: borscht with dumplings, dumplings with cabbage and mushrooms, carp, dried fruit compote, herring, poppy seed cake and gingerbread cookies. 

First star – Christmas Eve dinner begins when the first star appears in the sky. This symbolizes the star of Bethlehem that guided the wise men to do homage to Jesus. It’s a sign that the most important time for family gatherings of the year is approaching. 

Gifts from Santa Claus – we give our loved ones gifts that bring smiles and joy; children get toys, and everyone is happy. 

Leaving one empty place at the table – during Christmas Eve, a spare seat is left at the table in case an unknown guest arrives who has no one to spend the holidays with. This is a tradition that demonstrates generosity and openness. 

Midnight Mass – this is a church mass, usually held at midnight on December 24th. Carols are sung, and it’s a magical time. 

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Photo by Odalv * taken from Pexels: LINK

WORDBANK: 

Bethlehem – Betlejem 🏠

Borscht with dumplings – barszcz z uszkami 🥣

Carols – kolędy 🎶

Church – kościół ⛪

Christmas Eve – Wigilia 🎁

Christmas supper – Kolacja bożonarodzeniowa 🍽️

Christmas tree – choinka 🌲

Christmas wafer – opłatek

Do homage to Jesus – oddać hołd Jezusowi ⭐️

Dried fruit compote – kompot z suszonych owoców 🍷

Fairy Lights – światełka choinkowe 🎄

Gingerbread cookies – pierniczki 🍪

Magic Christmas – Magia Świąt 👪

Midnight Mass – Pasterka 🕯️

Ornaments – bombki ⛄

Poppy seed cake – makowiec 🍰

Santa Claus – Święty Mikołaj 🎅

Tinsel – łańcuchy choinkowe 🌟

Wise men – Trzej Królowie 👑

🎅 🌲 2025/2026 ©  Julia Machyńska, 2 rok, Pedagogika,  Akademia Nauk Stosowanych w Koninie