WIGILIA - THE POLISH TRADITION OF A DINNER ON CHRISTMAS EVE

THE TABLE WAS COVERED WITH STRAW, THEN COVERED WITH A CLOTH.
A DINNER THEN WOULD BE SERVED WHICH CONSISTED OF 3, 7, 9, 11,
OR 13 COURSES. THE SIZE OF THE DINNER WOULD VARY DEPENDING
UPON THE FAMILY BUT THE NUMBER OF COURSES WAS ALWAYS AN ODD NUMBER. AN EXTRA CHAIR WAS ALWAYS PLACED AT THE TABLE IN THE
HOPE THAT THE CHRIST CHILD OR SOME POOR STRANGER WOULD JOIN THE
FAMILY AT THE MEAL.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT REMEMBERS A MODIFIED VERSION OF THIS DINNER IN HER
POLISH HOME IN MANITOBA, CANADA IN THE EARLY 1900'S.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM