How to Preserve Polish Christmas Traditions

In Poland, Christmas is a time to put aside grudges and hard feelings and celebrate the holiday. There are many ways to revive and preserve the lovely seasonal Polish traditions.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Christmas Cards
• Polish Phrase Books
• Christmas Decorations
• Polish Christmas Carol CDs
• Internet Access

1. Contact Polish relatives or Polish pen pals via the Internet. Ask how they celebrate Christmas and to share their memories of Christmases past.

2. Read stories about Christmas in Poland and share these with your family. Some Polish tales describe the story of Christ's birth in a Polish setting.

3. Buy recordings of Polish Christmas carols ("koledy"). Polish carols, usually based on lively folk tunes, incorporate folklore, legends and religion. Popular Polish carols include "Midst Quiet Night" and "Let Us All Go."

4. Send Polish-language Christmas cards. Wish friends and relatives a "Wesolych Swiat" (Merry Christmas) via e-mail with a Polish Christmas card at PolishWorld.com. Or find Polish cards in specialty stores or catalogues, or on the Web.

5. Celebrate Christmas Eve ("Wigilia") with a traditional tree trimming, 12-course dinner and gift exchange.

6. Compile a folder of Polish traditions, folklore, song lyrics, holiday recipes and stories.

Tips & Warnings

• Search the Internet for relevant sites, which provide great information about Polish holiday traditions, to find links for ordering Polish recordings, foods, books and other materials.