Yuletide in Polandtraditional Christmas in our country

Typical Xmas activities: decorating houses and Christmas trees,singing carols,presents givingpreparing special meals

Christmas treesWe decorate our trees with lights, gaudy baubles and chains. At the top of a tree we traditionally put a star that symbolizes the star that led the Magi to Bethlehem. Many people decorate their trees with sweets and self-made ornaments.

Typical dishesRED BORSCH – a beetroot soupCABBAGE DUMPLINGSBIGOS –stewed cabbage with peaPOPPY-SEEK CAKE

Carols ‘Przybieżeli do Betlejem’ (Shepherds have come running to Bethlehem) - a Polish carol that dates back to the 17th century

Carols ‘Gdy się Chrystus rodzi’ (When Christ is born)

Christmas Eve - December 24In Poland, Christmas starts with the first star that appears on the sky. Then family gathers around a table and reads a passage of the Bible. After that, all members share a special wafer when exchangining Christmas wishes. They have dinner together, talk and sing carols. At midnight there is a mass called ‘pasterka’.

December 2525 December is a day reserved for family and friends. It’s time to relax and indulge yourself eating everything you’ve prepared (usually) in front of TV. We watch our must-be movies e.g. Home Alone, Shrek etc. When the weather is good, we go out to enjoy snow and brisk air.

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