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CHRISTMAS

IN UKRAINE, IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF YOU LEAN ON THE TABLE DURING
SUPPER ON CHRISTMAS EVE, YOU WILL HAVE BACK TROUBLE DURING HARVEST
TIME OF THAT YEAR.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM PARENTS.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): PREDICTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions

Date learned: 11-19-1967

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DISPOSITION

THIS BELIEF IS THAT WHATEVER YOUR DISPOSITION IS ON CHRISTMAS EVE,
THIS IS HOW YOU WILL BE THE REST OF THE NEW YEAR. THEREFORE, YOU
MUST BE CAREFUL TO BE OF A HAPPY DISPOSITION ON CHRISTMAS EVE.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT

Keyword(s): PREDICTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions

Date learned: 01-30-1968

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

AT THE END OF THE MEAL ON CHRISTMAS EVE, EACH PERSON LIGHTS A CANDLE
STARTING FROM THE OLDEST ONE PRESENT TO THE YOUNGEST AND IF THE
SMOKE(AFTER BLOWING THE CANDLE OUT) GOES UP STRAIGHT THE PERSON IS
SUPPOSED TO HAVE GOOD LUCK THE COMING YEAR. THIS IS A SLOVAKIAN
CUSTOM.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; SCRANTON

Keyword(s): PREDICTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles
BELIEF -- Use of Object
BELIEF -- Fate Destiny Luck Chance

Date learned: 04-00-1972

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DIVINATION--CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

AT CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER, A CANDLE IS LIT. IF THE SMOKE GOES UP, ALL
THOSE SEATED AT THE TABLE WILL BE BACK THE FOLLOWING YEAR. IF THE
SMOKE GOES TOWARD A DOOR, ONE OF THE GUESTS WILL DIE BEFORE THE
NEXT CHRISTMAS EVE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; COLLECTED BY LETTER

Keyword(s): DEATH ; PREDICTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- F652 F652.44

Date learned: 03-08-1970

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CHRISTMAS BELIEF

TWO CANDLES ARE LIT AND PLACED ON THE TABLE DURING THE CHRISTMAS EVE
MEAL. AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE MEAL BOTH THE FATHER AND THE MOTHER
WOULD BLOW OUT A CANDLE AND THEN WOULD WATCH THE SMOKE. IF THE SMOKE
WENT UP YOU WOULD LIVE ANOTHER YEAR. IF THE SMOKE WENT OUT THE DOOR
YOU WOULDN'T.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; TROY

Keyword(s): DEATH ; PREDICTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles

Date learned: 10-24-1970

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CHRISTMAS DREAM

ON CHRISTMAS EVE IN CZECHOSLOVAKIA, EVERYONE WOULD TRY TO REMEMBER
THEIR DREAM THAT NIGHT. IF IT WAS A GOOD ONE, GOOD THINGS WOULD
HAPPEN DURING THE NEW YEAR. IF A BAD ONE PEOPLE KNEW THAT EVIL
WOULD BEFALL THEM IN THE COMING YEAR.

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): PREDICTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions

Date learned: 03-02-1970

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

DURING SUPPER (OR AFTER) ON CHRISTMAS EVE, GIRLS SIT ON ONE SIDE OF
THE TABLE AND MEN SIT ON THE OTHER. THEN A CANDLE IS PUT BEFORE EACH
GROUP. ON THE SIDE THAT THE CANDLE BURNS OUT FASTER, A MEMBER OF THE
FAMILY WILL LEAVE.

Submitter comment: INFORMER RECIEVED INFORMATION FROM RELATIVES IN UKRAINE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): PREDICTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Table setting and clearing
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles

Date learned: 10-07-1967

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CHRISTMAS EVE SHADOW

AT THE END OF A POLISH, CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER, EVERYONE LOOKS FOR HIS
SHADOW. IF YOU DO NOT FIND IT, YOU'LL SUFFER AN ILL FATE AND WILL
NOT BE PRESENT FOR NEXT CHRISTMAS--BECAUSE OF DEATH MOST LIKELY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): PREDICTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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BELIEF

IT WILL BE A HAPPY YEAR IF THE FIRST VISITOR ON CHRISTMAS EVE OR
CHRISTMAS DAY IS A MAN. IF A WOMAN IT WILL BE MARRED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions

Date learned: 11-22-1968

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CHRISTMAS SUPERSTITION

ON CHRISTMAS DAY, IF A MAN WALKS INTO YOUR HOUSE FIRST, YOU WILL
HAVE GOOD LUCK, BUT IF A WOMAN WALKS IN FIRST, YOU WILL HAVE BAD
LUCK.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT HEARD THIS FROM HER PARENTS (1920'S) WHO BELIEVED IT. SHE
MAY MENTION IT NOW, BUT DOES NOT BELIEVE IT.

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS HOME ; PITTSBURGH

Keyword(s): FIRST FOOTING

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions

Date learned: 10-02-1971

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NEVER THROW AWAY TRASH ON CHRISTMAS DAY. IF YOU DO YOU ARE
"THROWING OUT" YOUR LUCK.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT SAID THAT SHE REALLY DOES NOT BELIEVE IT ALTHOUGH SHE
SAVES HER TRASH UNTIL THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. INFORMANT SAID THAT
THE PRACTICE DATES BACK TO HER CHILDHOOD.

Where learned: HOME ; MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; TOLD AT

Keyword(s): HOMEOPATHIC MAGIC

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions

Date learned: 11-12-1971

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REMOVAL OF THE EVIL EYE

ON ONLY ONE DAY OF THE YEAR CAN A PERSON BE TAUGHT HOW TO REMOVE THE
EVIL EYE. THE TIME IS BETWEEN MIDNIGHT AND 2:00 AM CHRISTMAS
MORNING. THE WORDS HAVE TO BE MEMORIZED SINCE THEY ARE NOT WRITTEN
DOWN AND CANNOT BE WRITTEN DOWN. IT IS TAUGHT BY AN OLD WOMAN TO A
YOUNG WOMAN; OR AN OLD MAN TO YOUNG MAN, BUT NOT BY A MAN TO A
WOMAN; OR A WOMAN TO A MAN. AFTER THE PRAYERS ARE TAUGHT, A DISH
OF OLIVE OIL AND A DISH OF WATER ARE PREPARED. THE PERSON MAKES THE
SIGN OF THE CROSS ON SOMEONE'S FOREHEAD WHILE SAYING A PRAYER. THEN
HE DIPS HIS FINGER IN THE OIL AND DROPS THE OIL IN THE WATER. IF
IF THE OIL SEPARATES INTO BALLS, THE PERSON HAS AN EVIL EYE AND MORE
PRAYERS ARE SAID. THEN THE DISH OF WATER WITH THE OIL IN IT IS
THROWN IN THE STREET WHERE BUGGIES (TODAY CARS) CAN RUN OVER IT;
AND THE SPELL WOULD BE BROKEN.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; WORK

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions

Date learned: 07-00-1964

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SOLVAK CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS

DON'T LOOK OUT THE WINDOW ON CHRISTMAS EVE OR ONE MAY BE SEEN BY
SOMEONE ELSE. IF YOU DO ANYTHING SHEAKY DURING THE YEAR YOU WILL GET
CAUGHT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions

Date learned: 11-22-1968

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BELIEF CONCERNING CHRISTMAS

IT IS BELIEVED THAT IF YOU ARE SPANKED ON CHRISTMAS EVE, YOU WILL BE
SPANKED ALL YEAR LONG. I GUESS WE WERE TOLD THIS TO BE EXTRA GOOD
ALL DAY LONG IN PREPARATION FOR CHRIST'S BIRTH, AND ALSO SO AS TO
STAY OUT OF THE BUSY MOTHERS' WAY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): PREDICTION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions

Date learned: NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

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CHRISTMAS

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE MOTHER OF THE HOUSEHOLD PLACES A FEW GRAINS
OF VARIOUS SEEDS, AND VARIOUS SILVER COINS INTO A LINEN NAPKIN,
PUTS THE BUNDLE ON THE TABLE, COVERS IT WITH SOME HAY, AND THEN
COVERS ALL WITH A TABLECLOTH (THIS PREVENTS STARVATION AND POORNESS
ALL YEAR).

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM PARENTS.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share the same surname.
 

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD ; MONEY ; SUPERSTITION ; SUPERSTITION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.2
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw

Date learned: 11-19-1967

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POLISH SUPERSTITION

THE FIRST PERSON AT A CUSTOMARY POLISH CHRISTMAS VIGIL (VIGILIA)
MUST BE A MAN, OR THE HOUSEHOLD WILL EXPERIENCE BAD LUCK.

Submitter comment:

THIS DATES BACK TO THE EARLY 1900'S IN WARSAW.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.2
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas

Date learned: 10-05-1967

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HEALTH BELIEF

IF YOU EAT A PIECE OF GARLIC AND SOME HONEY ON CHRISTMAS EVE, YOU
YOU WON'T BE ILL FOR THE NEXT YEAR.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ; TOLD AT INFORMANTS DORM ; COUZENS HALL

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Predictions
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Table setting and clearing

Date learned: 03-10-1970

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CHRISTMAS EVE BELIEF

AT THE CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL SET THE TABLE WITH THE EXACT NUMBER OF
UTENSILS. IF THERE ARE MORE THAN SUPPOSED TO BE THERE WILL BE
AN INCREASE IN THE FAMILY. IF THERE AREN'T ENOUGH, THERE WILL
BE A DEATH.

Submitter comment:

THIS WAS BELIEVED BY THE INFORMANT'S FATHER STRICTLY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: OHIO ; CANTON

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; Holiday: Christmas ; Lore ; SUPERSTITION ; Table Setting

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.2
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas
BELIEF -- Number

Date learned: 02-11-1972

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A BIT OF EVERYTHING

IN BULGARIA THE WHOLE OF CHRISTMAS EVE DAY IS SPENT IN PREPARATION
FOR THE CHRISTMAS FEAST. FOR THE FEAST A LITTLE OF EVERY FOOD IN THE
HOUSE IS PREPARED.

Submitter comment:

THE INFORMANT SAID A LITTLE OF EVERY FOOD IN THE HOUSE IS FIXED TO
GUARANTEE PROSPERITY AND SUCCESS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: TOLD AT HENDRICKSONS PHARMACY

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday

Subject headings: 122 Christmas
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.2

Date learned: 03-21-1970

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SLICE OF BREAD

AT THE BEGINNING OF A POLISH, CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER, EVERYONE
IS GIVEN ONE PIECE OF BREAD. THIS ONE SLICE MUST LAST THEM
FOR THE ENTIRE MEAL.
IT IS BAD LUCK TO CONSUME THE BREAD BEFORE THE MEAL HAS BEEN
COMPLETED; YOU WILL GO HUNGARY (HUNGRY) OR NOT FULFILL SOME
DESIRE DURING THE COMING YEAR.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ETHNIC ; FOOD CUSTOM ; holiday ; LUCK ; POLISH ; tradition

Subject headings: 122 Christmas
686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.2

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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