Polish Christmas Traditions

Hello my hungry friends,

As the scents and flavors of Thanksgiving are lingering in our minds and on our toungs, I am excited to start thinking about Christmas and my menu for the 3 days of celebrating. As you may know, here in Poland, we celebrate Christmas for 3 days: Wigilia Christmas Eve, 1st Day of Christmas and then the 2nd Day of Christmas. The menu will be considerably different for Wigilia and the rest of the holidays. Wigilia is traditionally pescatarian and heavy with plant-based dishes and the following days can (and are) be filled with succulent meat dishes and a bit more variety.

In one of my cookbooks: “Polish Your Kitchen; A Book of Memories, Christmas Edition” I talk more about the traditions and symbolism of the items on our Christmas Eve dinner, the meaning of the first star on the evening sky and why oranges remind us Poles of Christmas.  

Polish Christmas Traditions – what is Wigilia? 

Christmas in Poland is more than just a holiday—it’s a time steeped in rich tradition, deep-rooted customs, and centuries-old rituals that have been passed down through generations. If you’ve ever wondered what makes Christmas in Poland so special, here’s a guide to some of the most cherished traditional family recipes that fill the our holiday season with great memories of our family members that may not be around us.

Unlike many Western cultures that celebrate on Christmas Day, Poles’ main day to celebrate and the one that everyone is looking forward to, is Wigilia meal. It is incredibly significant, and typically includes twelve dishes—each representing one of the twelve apostles.

These twelve dishes are not just about food; they are a symbol of abundance, peace, and goodwill.  Here’s a glimpse into some of the iconic dishes you might find at a traditional Polish Wigilia table, ones that were always served in my family home:

– Beetroot soup with mushroom dumplings barszcz z uszkami – A vibrant beetroot soup served with uszka, small dumplings filled with mushrooms. The soup’s deep red color matches the flavor. 

– Fried fish (normally carp) karp – Carp is a classic Polish Christmas dish, often fried as one of the hot dishes. When I was a child, we would keep our carp  alive in the bathtub leading up to Christmas Eve, and the fish is prepared fresh for dinner. Now, stores offer filets and it is a bit more hassle free. 

– Pierogi – our Christmas version of pierogi will normally be filled with sauerkraut and mushrooms or perhaps potatoes and farmer’s cheese. Some families opt for ones filled with buckwheat and farmer’s cheese or other meatless versions. 

– Dried fruit drink kompot z suszu – a sweet, spiced fruit compote made from dried fruits like prunes, apples, and pears. It’s served as a drink and is considered a healthful and delicious way to cleanse the palate. It can be served hot or cold and is a must-have addition to the Wigilia dinner table. 

– Poppyseeds with grains kutia or poppyseeds with dumplings kluski z makiem – A sweet grain dish made from wheat (or noodles), honey, poppy seeds, and nuts, often served as one of the twelve dishes.

These are just a few of the 12 dishes served during Wigilia in my home. You can review the full list in the Christmas section of the blog or in my cookbook “Polish Your Kitchen; A Book of Memories, Christmas Edition”

Polish Christmas Traditions – the Christmas Tree and Decorations

Polish homes are beautifully decorated for Christmas, often with intricate ornaments, candles, and festive garlands. The Christmas tree choinka, is typically adorned with handmade decorations like straw stars, paper angels, and wooden or glass baubles. When I was a child, the choinka normally didn’t go up until the 23rd of December and that tradition was not unusual for many Polish homes. These days, you can see the trees decorated a few weeks before the big day. 

Polish Christmas Traditions – Opłatek

One of the most meaningful rituals of Wigilia is the breaking of the opłatek—a thin wafer that is shared between family members as they exchange Christmas wishes. The opłatek tradition dates back centuries and is a moment of reflection, gratitude, and reconciliation. Before dinner begins, each person breaks off a piece of the wafer and offers a warm wish to everyone at the table.

Polish Christmas Traditions – Christmas Day: Family Time and Relaxation

Christmas Day itself is a more relaxed affair. While Wigilia is the big celebration, Boże Narodzenie (Christmas Day) is often spent with close family, reflecting on the blessings of the season, and enjoying a hearty Christmas lunch. This meal often includes dishes like duck blood soup czernina,  bigos (hunter’s stew), roasted duck, or another family favorite.

If you ever have the chance to celebrate Christmas in Poland or with a Polish family, you’ll find that these traditions will not only fill your stomach but will also nourish your soul, connecting you to something much larger than just the holiday itself. I hope that you put Poland on your trip calendar and visit during Christmas. Not only to taste the food but also to see the beautiful Christmas markets that every big city puts on, and experience the beauty of this important holiday the Polish way… and if not, please bring a bit of Poland into your home, cherish the family memories and make new ones with the ones you love. 

Wesołych Świąt Bożego Narodzenia ~ Merry Christmas!

From Poland with love,

Anna and Mark 

Polish Christmas Traditions Polish Christmas Traditions Polish Christmas Traditions Polish Christmas Traditions