Tablescape
Traditional Polish households tend to take inspiration from past generations and passed-down customs. Begin with a bare dining table—disperse hay throughout the surface to echo the spirit of the manger. Then, gently place an embroidered white tablecloth with a lace finish over the dried grass to emulate the country’s passion for hand-stitching. In terms of place settings, simplicity is key. On a lace placemat, place a soup bowl over a dinner plate, adding flatware to the sides. White dinnerware or porcelain china presents a tasteful finish for the holiday. As drinking is usually avoided during the Polish Christmas dinner, opt for an old-fashioned glass or water goblet instead of wine glasses. For a more modern take on the holiday, consider a more minimalist table. Lay out a linen tablecloth or gold table runner over the forage. Create an eye-catching yet traditional place setting with a gold charger plate, dinnerware with gold rims and coordinating flatware. As a nod towards hospitality, Polish households traditionally leave out an extra place setting for an unexpected guest such as a family member, friend or traveler. As for the centerpiece, keep things minimal with tapered candles in candle holders or a bouquet of poinsettias.
Food
Known as the largest meal of the year, Polish Christmas dinner has 12 dishes. It’s customary that every member at the table tries a bit of each, so be sure to wear a comfortable pair of pants. As a starter to the evening, beet borscht with mushroom dumplings is presented in a large serving bowl. Once the first meal is done, the remaining 11 dishes are displayed on the table. Instead of water, one of the dishes is a fruity compote guests sip on throughout the night. Moving to food, three varieties of cooked cabbage are prepared—with mushrooms, beans and noodles. The dishes are made by boiling the cabbage in a pot over the stove. Tasty extras are added in after 3 minutes, and the pot is left to steam for another 15 minutes. Once the serving platters are filled with food, they’re placed throughout the table. Fish also play a pivotal role in the festivities. Given that Polish families typically fast from meat on the 24th, carp, herring and cod are go-to’s during the holiday season. Whether they’re fried, baked or grilled, each fish should receive its own serving tray to add to the numerous courses. No Polish dinner is complete without pierogi. Filled with berries, mushrooms, or potatoes and cheese, the dish is a favorite amongst kids and adults alike. Moving towards the final few bites of the evening, croquettes with mushrooms begin to wrap up dinner. Leftover borscht is poured into a teacup as guests enjoy one or two wrapped rolls with the drink. As a final treat, noodles with poppy seeds and a gingerbread cake are served for dessert.
Tradition
Apart from the incredibly filling meal, families observe many other customs during Wigilia. Parents wake up early in the morning to begin preparing the food—kitchens are typically stocked with numerous timers since adequate prep time is essential for success. In customary Polish households, families don’t decorate the Christmas tree until a few days before the big day, so don’t be surprised if you see the little ones adding the final few ornaments to the evergreen. As close family and friends begin to arrive, dinner can’t be served quite yet. The kids’ most important job of the night is to keep an eye out for the night sky. Guests can only begin to eat when the tots spot the first star in the sky. Once they find the faint flicker, individuals begin to head towards the dining room. Before everyone gets comfortable in their seat, Polish Christmas dinner calls for breaking bread amongst one another. Typically placed on an appetizer plate over hay, each individual takes a thin wafer and goes around the room wishing everyone luck and fortune in the new year. After each individual says their wishes, they break off a small piece of the other person’s wafer and eat it. Transitioning past dinner and carol singing comes the kids’ favorite part: opening presents. Instead of opening them on Christmas morning, Polish households open gifts after their dinner.
Are you celebrating a Polish Christmas dinner? Show us how you’re preparing for the evening using #CrateStyle.
