Polish Christmas traditions include: Santa Claus visiting on December 6th bringing presents; decorating Christmas trees before Christmas; hanging mistletoe which is believed to bring happiness throughout the year; having hay on the table to symbolize Jesus sleeping in a manger; and believing the first guest on Christmas Eve determines if the new year will be lucky or unlucky depending on their gender. The most important day is Christmas Eve when families exchange wishes while breaking holy wafer and attending Pasterka, the midnight mass. Celebrations continue on St. Stephen's Day and include singing carols while visiting relatives.

1. POLAND
Christmas traditions

2. Santa Claus
Santa Claus comes on December 6 and brings presents.

3. Christmas tree
Before Christmas we decorate trees.

4. Mistletoe
Mistletoe comes from park or forest. We hang it above our
door, cooker or Christmas table. It brings happines during all
year.

5. Hay
Hay on the table is a very important symbol. Jezus slept on hay
because his mother was poor. We hide hay under a white
tablecloth.

6. Luck
On December 24, in the morning, families wait for the first
guest. If it is a man or a boy, it provides fortune. If the first
comes a woman the coming year will be unlucky. The guest
who comes tells the wishes and gets a small gift. Now it is
usually money, but in the past it was food.

7. Christmas Eve
The most important day is Christmas Eve (24 December). We
wait for the first star in the sky. Then we exchange wishes
and break holy wafer with our family.

8. Christmas Eve
We usually have twelve dishes on the Chrismas table. They
symbolize the twelve disciples who sat with Jesus at the last
supper.

9. Pasterka
On Christmas Eve at midnight we go to church for a special
mass. It’s called Pasterka.

10. St. Stephen’s day
We celebrate Christmas on December 25 and St. Stephen’s
Day on December 26. We visit our relatives and spend time
together.

11. Carols
At Christmas we sing carols by the table. We like singing very
much. Carol singers go from house to house. They often
dress up. People give them treats or money.