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BREAKING BREAD

IT IS A POLISH CUSTOM TO ALL GATHER THE
WHOLE FAMILY ON CHRISTMAS EVE, AND HAVE
UNLEAVENED BREAD, CALLED OPLATEK, A WAFER.
THE WHOLE FAMILY EACH HAS A PIECE AND THEY
GO AROUND TO EVERY OTHER MEMBER, BREAK OFF A
PIECE AND EXCHANGE IT, WISHING THEM A MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share same surname.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 17344 ROWE ; TOLD AT INFORMANT'S HOME

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 03-12-1970

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CHRISTMAS

EACH PERSON, BEFORE DINNER ON CHRISTMAS EVE, RECEIVES A
PIECE OF WHITE WAFER (ANGEL BREAD). EACH PERSON GOES TO
EVERY OTHER PERSON AND MAKES WISHES FOR HIM FOR
THE NEXT YEAR. WITH EACH WISH THE WISHER MAKES FOR
HIS PARTNER, HE BREAKS A TINY PIECE OF WAFER OFF. WHEN
HE IS FINISHED WISHING, THE WISHER EATS THE BITS
OF WAFER HE HAS BROKEN OFF. THE RECEIVER OF THE WISHES
THEN WISHES THE 1ST PERSON IN A SIMILAR WAY.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share same surname.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 8160 LANTZ ; TOLD AT COLLECTOR'S HOME

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 03-10-1970

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CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, USUALLY BEFORE THE EVENING MEAL, THE
OLDEST MEMBER OF THE FAMILY BREAKS UNLEAVENED BREAD
AND WISHES GOOD LUCK AND GOOD HEALTH TO EACH MEMBER
OF THE FAMILY. HE USUALLY STARTS WITH THE OLDEST MEMBER AND
CONTINUES DOWN THE LINE TO THE YOUNGEST.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share the same surname.

Where learned: 135 FERNWOOD DR ; ILLINOIS ; GLENVIEW ; TOLD AT INFORMANT'S HOME

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 11-29-1970

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

OPLATEK IS A CUSTOM PRACTICED BY POLISH-AMERICANS.
A THIN WAFER OF UNLEAVENED BREAD (LIKE A EUCHARISTIC
HOST) IS DIVIDED AMONG THE FAMILY PRESENT ON CHRISTMAS
EVE AND THE INDIVIDUALS SHARE THEIR PIECE WITH EACH OTHER
WISHING ONE ANOTHER GOOD LUCK FOR THE COMING YEAR.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SOUTHFIELD ; 25275 BRIARBANK ; TOLD AT COLLECTOR'S HOME

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 10-25-1970

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CHRISTMAS

DURING THE CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER THE "OPLATKE" IS PASSED TO ALL THE
PEOPLE AT THE TABLE. THIS IS A HOST LIKE BREAD IMPRINTED WITH
THE SCENE OF THE LAST SUPPER. WHEN THIS BREAD IS PASSED FROM ONE
PERSON TO ANOTHER EACH PERSON WISHES HEALTH AND HAPPINESS TO THE
RECIPIENT. THIS IS A POLISH CUSTOM.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant is collector's mother.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 5274 GRAYTON ; TOLD AT INFORMANT'S HOME

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 03-19-1970

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OPLATEK - ANGEL BREAD

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, ANGEL BREAD IS BROKEN AND
DIVIDED AMONG MEMBERS OF A FAMILY
TO SYMBOLIZE FELLOWSHIP, GOOD WISHES, AND
CHRISTIAN UNITY.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 4598 E. OUTER DRIVE

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 01-30-1968

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

AT DINNER ON CHRISTMAS EVE, EVERYONE IN THE INFORMANT'S
FAMILY SHARES A PIECE OF ANGELS' BREAD (UNLEAVENED WAFER) WITH
SOMEONE ELSE AT THE TABLE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 01-00-1968

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CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM

POLISH FAMILIES BREAK AND SHARE
A CHRISTMAS WAFER AMONG THE
RELATIVES.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share same surname.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 11-00-1965

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CHRISTMAS EVE BREAD

OPLATKI-(O PWAT'KEY) - IS UNLEAVE[NE]D BREAD WHICH NUNS MAKE IN
POLAND FOR CHRISTMAS EVE. IT HAS A NATIVITY IMPRINT ON IT. THE
HEAD OF THE HOUSEHOLD AND HIS MATE BREAK ONE PIECE INTO TWO HALVES,
THE CHILDREN THEN WISH EACH OTHER HEALTH, WEALTH, ETC. SOME OF
THESE PEOPLE SET A PLACE FOR STRANGERS.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT LEARNED FROM PARENTS.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; UNLEAVENED BREAD

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

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CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM

IN OUR FAMILY, EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE BEFORE THE MAIN
MEAL, THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY TAKES A SMALL PIECE OF
WAFER BREAD, SIMILAR TO THE HOLY COMMUNION HOST AND
BREAKS A PIECE WITH EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY, WHO
IN TURN BREAK BREAD WITH EACH OTHER. THIS IS DONE
TO SYMBOLIZE THE SIMPLE GIVING OF GIFTS AT CHRISTMAS.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share same surname.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; RELIGIOUS

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 03-31-1972

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CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM

ON CHRISTMAS EVE AT SUPPER WE TAKE BLESSED WAFERS (IN
LITHUANIAN THEY ARE CALLED "PLACALUE") AND DISTRIBUTE THEM
TO EVERYONE PRESENT. EACH PERSON BREAKS A PIECE OFF HIS OWN
AND THEN ALL OF THEM ARE PASSED AROUND, WITH EACH PERSON TAKING
A PIECE. WHILE THIS IS GOING ON, WE WISH EACH OTHER A MERRY
CHRISTMAS.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: EARLY 00001950'S

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CHRISTMAS EVE

AFTER THE CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER, BREAD RESEMBLING
THE HOLY HOST WOULD BE SHARED
BY THE FAMILY. THE BREAD WOULD BE PASSED
FROM THE ELDEST, TO THE YOUNGEST, EACH
BREAKING OFF A PIECE AND EATING IT.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT SAID THIS TRADITION WAS FOLLOWED
EVERY CHRISTMAS EVE, WHEN HE WAS A YOUNG BOY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 02-20-1972

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CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM

A TRADITIONAL POLISH CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM IS THE SHARING OF A BLESSED
WAFER CALLED OPLATKI. EACH MEMBER OF THE FAMILY BREAKS OFF AND
EATS A PIECE OF THE WAFER WHICH IS DISTRIBUTED USUALLY BY THE
GRANDMOTHER OR THE HEAD OF THE FAMILY. THE WAFER IS SIMILAR TO THE
COMMUNION WAFER. CHRISTMAS GREETINGS AND BEST WISHES ARE OFFERED
AS THE WAFER IS RECEIVED. THIS PARTICULAR PRACTICE FOLLOWS A FAMILY
MEAL OF ALL POLISH FOODS.

Submitter comment:

THIS CUSTOM IS STILL BEING FOLLOWED AT MY HOUSE ON CHRISTMAS EVE.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.

Where learned: NEW YORK ; POUGHKEEPSIE

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

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CUSTOM

IT IS A POLISH CUSTOM TO BREAK OPLATEK (BREAD)
ON CHRISTMAS EVE. WHEN THOSE PRESENT EXCHANGE
BREAD THEY EXCHANGE A GREETING.

Where learned: informant's residence

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Greetings, wishes, prayers, cards

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

THIN WAFERS OF UNLEAVENED BREAD ARE DIVIDED BETWEEN THE GUESTS AT
A CHRISTMAS EVE GATHERING. THE PEOPLE WISH EACH OTHER
TRADITIONAL GREETINGS.

Submitter comment:

THE WAFER IS MEANT TO SYMBOLIZE THE EUCHARIST AND BASICALLY THE
COMING OF CHRIST.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share the same surname.
 

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GARDEN CITY

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 00-00-1950

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POLISH-AMERICAN XMAS CUSTOM

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, POLISH-AMERICANS HAVE THE TRADITIONAL CUSTOM
OF BREAKING BREAD-LIKE WAFERS CALLED "OPLATKI" AND EACH PERSON
TAKES A PIECE OF THE WAFER AND GOES UP TO ANOTHER PERSON. AS ONE
PERSON WISHES THE OTHER GOOD HEALTH, HAPPINESS, AND GOOD LUCK,
THE PERSON DOING THE WISHING BREAKS OFF A PIECE OF THE OTHER'S
WAFER FOR EACH WISH THAT HE MAKES. EVERY
PERSON PRESENT ON CHRISTMAS EVE IN THE HOME MUST GO UP TO ALL
THE OTHERS PRESENT AND WISH THEM ALL WELL. THIS CUSTOM ARISES OUT
OF STRONG FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS AND EXPRESSES THE GOOD WILL THAT ONE
PERSON IN THE FAMILY HAS IN HIS HEART FOR ALL THE OTHER MEMBERS
OF THE FAMILY ON THE JOYOUS OCCASION OF CHRISTMAS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; TROY

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 10-03-1969

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CUSTOM

I WAS INTRODUCED TO THE CUSTOM AS A CHILD,
THEREFORE I GIVE NO DEFINITE YEAR. AT A
TRADITIONAL DINNER ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE HOSTESS
DISTRIBUTES THIN WAFERS. EVERYONE GOES TO
EVERYONE ELSE, WISHES THEM "MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR", AND THEN TAKES PART OF THEIR
WAFER AND EATS IT.

Submitter comment:

Polish custom.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share same surname.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 5782 OAKMAN BLVD

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

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A CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, EACH MEMBER OF OUR
FAMILY HAS A WAFER OF BREAD. WE GO TO EACH
OTHER, TAKE A PIECE OF THE OTHER PERSON'S WAFER,
AND EAT IT. WE THEN WISH EACH OTHER GOOD
FORTUNE AND KISS. WE KEEP REPEATING THIS
UNTIL WE HAVE PERFORMED THIS CEREMONY
WITH EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 9907 YORKSHIRE

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

IT IS THE CUSTOM OF THE POLISH AND SLOVAK PEOPLE TO BREAK OPIATKI [OPLATKI]
(CHRISTMAS WAFER) ON CHRISTMAS EVE AND TO WISH EACH OTHER WELL.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; 19225 STOTTER ; TOLD AT INFORMANT'S HOME

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 03-19-1970

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"WEGILIJA"

EVERY YEAR THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS AT SUPPER, A WAFER IS
BROKEN AND DISTRIBUTED. THE WAFER IS CALLED "OPLATEK." THE
DINNER STARTS AFTER THE FIRST STAR SHINES. YOU HAVE TO HAVE
AN ODD NUMBER OF PEOPLE AT THE TABLE WITH AN EMPTY SEAT.

Submitter comment:

THE INFORMANT STILL HOLDS TO THIS CUSTOM AND GETS THE OPLATEK
FROM POLAND EVERY YEAR FOR THIS CUSTOM.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: 03-05-1972

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