Let me tell you about Christmas in Poland! It’s a huge deal here, way more than just a single day. It’s a whole season of excitement, family, and traditions that have been passed down for generations.
It all starts weeks before December 25th. You see, Christmas in Poland is less about Santa Claus and presents (though we have those!) and more about being together with the people you love. It’s about remembering the reason for the season and keeping those special traditions alive.
Mikołajki, December, 6th
One of the first things we do is get ready for Mikolajki, which is on December 6th. It’s like a mini-Christmas where we celebrate Saint Nicholas.
The custom is quite popular in schools. Kids draw each other’s names a few weeks before Mikolajki. They should buy a gift for a person they drew. The price limit is usually settled before or they simply agree on one type of present.
For example, in my daughter’s school, they agreed to buy socks to each other. So everyone got different socks. Placing a small candy inside was allowed.
On December 6th, the kids are bringing the gifts to the school and leaving it in a classroom. It’s quite fun guessing who you got the gift from!
At home, Santa usually comes himself or simply leaves gifts at the door or under the pillow. In some regions of Poland, Santa is leaving gifts inside the shoes.
I remember when I was a kid and together with my cousins we were waiting for Santa to come. When he was knocking at the door, we started to squeal with joy. Then our parents opened the door and he was no longer there. But he left a huge bag with presents for all of us!
Christmas Eve – Wigilia (the most important day of Polish Christmas)
As Christmas gets closer, the excitement builds. We start decorating our homes with beautiful Christmas trees, sparkly lights, and ornaments that are often handmade. We bake mountains of Polish Christmas food. The whole house smells amazing!
Then comes Christmas Eve, or Wigilia, as we call it. This is the most important day of the whole celebration. We spend the day preparing a huge feast with twelve different Christmas dishes, each one symbolizing a different month of the year or 12 apostles.
There’s fried carp (fish), pierogi (dumplings filled with all sorts of yummy things), and my absolute favorite creamy mushroom soup that’s just divine. Some people eat red borscht for Christmas. It’s always served with uszka dumplings.
We also have kutia, a sweet dish made with wheat, honey, and poppy seeds, and kompot z suszu, a warm drink made from dried fruits. Makowiec poppyseed roll is a must on every traditional Polish Christmas table!
Before we can eat, though, we have to wait for the first star to appear in the sky. It’s a magical moment that reminds us of the Star of Bethlehem.
Once we see it, we gather around the table, which has an extra place setting in case a stranger comes knocking. Traditional Polish Christmas tables should have white tablecloths with hay underneath. It’s a symbolic reminder of the humble beginnings of Jesus Christ, who was born in a manger.
We start Wigilia by sharing opłatek, a thin wafer that we break off and give to each other with good wishes for the coming year. It’s a really special tradition that makes me feel connected to my family and my heritage.
After dinner, it’s finally time to open presents! We usually find them under the Christmas tree, but sometimes Gwiazdor (the Starman) or an angel brings them. Then, we get bundled up and head to church for Pasterka, the midnight mass. It’s a beautiful service with lots of carols and a reminder of the true meaning of Christmas.
At night, some people try to talk to animals. It’s believed that they talk only once a year, on Wigilia.
One more custom that’s popular in some parts of Poland is being nice on Christmas Eve. Some people believe that the way you spend Wigilia defines your upcoming year.
Boże Narodzenie – Christmas Day
Christmas Day and the day after are all about relaxing and enjoying time with family. We eat leftovers from the Wigilia feast, play games, sing carols, and just enjoy each other’s company. It’s the perfect way to end a truly magical holiday.
I know this might sound like a lot, but trust me, Polish Christmas is an experience you won’t forget. If you ever get the chance to visit Poland during this special time of year, I highly recommend it. You’ll be welcomed with open arms and experience the true meaning of the Christmas spirit.
Oh, and don’t forget to say “Wesołych Świąt!” to everyone you meet. It means “Merry Christmas!” in Polish. You can also learn to sing kolędy, Polish Christmas carols.
What Are The Most Popular Polish Christmas Carols?
- Przybieżeli do Betlejem (Shepherds Came Running To Bethlehem)
- Cicha Noc (Polish version of Silent Night)
- Gdy Śliczna Panna (When The Pretty Virgin Was Soothing Her Son)
- Bóg Się Rodzi (The God Is Being Born)
- Lulajże Jezuniu (Hush-a-bye Baby Jesus)
- Pójdźmy Wszyscy Do Stajenki (Let Us All Go To The Little Barn)
Szczepana – Boxing Day
Szczepana falls on December 26th, and it’s a more chill day.
Here’s what we usually do on Szczepana Day:
- Visit friends: We go to their houses, say hi, eat some cookies, and just hang out.
- Sing carols: Sometimes we get together with friends and go singing Christmas songs around the neighborhood. It’s like a fun parade!
- Go to church: Some people go to church again on Szczepana to say thank you and keep celebrating.
- Relax: After all the excitement of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Szczepana is a good day to just chill out at home and relax.
For young people, Szczepana is sometimes a time to go to parties and have fun with their friends. It’s like the party after the party!
