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FRUIT AND NUTS ON THE TABLE

POLISH PEOPLE PLACE FRUIT AND NUTS ON THEIR TABLE CHRISTMAS EVE TO
SYMBOLIZE ABUNDANCE AND HARDSHIPS FOR THE COMING YEAR. THE
FRUIT SYMBOLIZES ABUNDANCE AND THE NUTS THE HARDSHIPS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

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

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

Date learned: 11-12-1969

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THE EXTRA PLACE AT CHRISTMAS

AT THE BIG CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL THE POLISH PEOPLE SET AN EXTRA
PLACE AT THE TABLE TO SIGNIFY THAT CHRIST WAS THERE. IF A BEGGAR
CAME TO THE DOOR HE WOULD NOT BE TURNED AWAY BUT WOULD BE SEATED
AT THE PLACE OF CHRIST BECAUSE HE WOULD REPRESENT CHRIST AND HOW NO
ONE WOULD GIVE HIM A ROOM.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Christ ; CHRISTMAS ; holiday ; POLISH ; SYMBOL ; tradition

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

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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GOOD LUCK AT THE CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER

IT IS GOOD LUCK TO SEAT AN ODD NUMBER OF PEOPLE FOR THE
CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; holiday ; LUCK ; SUPERSTITION ; tradition

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.4
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas
BELIEF -- Number Odd number (not specific)

Date learned: 03-24-1970

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HOLIDAY-FOOD CUSTOM

AN OLD ITALIAN CUSTOM AROUND CHRISTMAS TIME IS THAT ON CHRISTMAS
EVE AFTER THE MEAL IS OVER, BREAD FROM THE MEAL IS LEFT ON THE
TABLE AND IS BELIEVED TO NEVER GO GREENMOLD FOR YEARS.

Submitter comment:

THIS WAS SEEN BY INFORMANT IN 1946.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: NEW YORK ; PORT CHESTER

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

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.4
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas

Date learned: 11-28-1970

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A CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, WHEN THE TABLE IS SET FOR DINNER, AN EXTRA
PLACE AT THE TABLE IS SET. THE IDEA BEHIND THIS HABIT GOES AS
FOLLOWS: ALTHOUGH THE LORD IS NOT PHYSICALLY SITTING AT THE TABLE
SHARING A MEAL WITH US, HE IS THERE SPIRITUALLY AND THIS IS INDICATED
BY SETTING A PLACE FOR HIM.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Table Setting ; tradition

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

Date learned: NOT RECORDED

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CHRISTMAS TRADITION

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, AN EXTRA PLACE IS SET AT THE TABLE FOR CHRIST.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; THE QUAD

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Table Setting ; tradition

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

Date learned: NOT RECORDED

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CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM

AT THE MAIN MEAL ON CHRISTMAS EVE, ONE PLACE IS ALWAYS LEFT
VACANT FOR THE CHRIST CHILD WHO IS SUPPOSED TO COME THE NEXT
MORNING.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Table Setting ; tradition

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

Date learned: 04-04-1972

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Ethnic: Polish

A POLISH, CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER CALLS FOR EACH SERVING TO BE
SERVED SEPARATELY. THE NEXT SERVING IS NOT BROUGHT ON UNTIL THE
PREVIOUS ONE HAS BEEN CONSUMED BY ALL THAT WANT IT. GENERALLY,
THE SERVINGS ARE OF VEGETABLES. THERE IS NO MEAT EATEN. NOTHING
IS DRANK DURING THE MEAL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated 02-23-2011 / TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE ; CHRISTMAS ; Course ; CUSTOM ; Dinner ; DRINK ; ETHNIC ; Feast ; FOOD ; holiday ; meat ; POLISH ; Serve ; tradition

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

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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CHRISTMAS PLACE

AN EXTRA PLACE IS SET AT A POLISH CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER, IN CASE
AN UNEXPECTED GUEST DROPS IN.
THIS SYMBOLIZES THE FACT THAT MARY AND JOSEPH WERE TURNED AWAY
ON CHRISTMAS EVE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; POLISH ; Table Setting ; tradition

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

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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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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CUSTOM

ON XMAS (CHRISTMAS) EVE, A PLATE IS SET UP FOR EACH DECEASED
MEMBER OF THE FAMILY AT THE TRADITIONAL FAMILY DINNER.

Submitter comment:

(UKRAINIAN)

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: HOME

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Table Settings ; tradition

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

Date learned: 10-00-1968

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SOLUTION TO UNEVEN NUMBER AT TABLE

DURING THE UKRAINIAN CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL, IF THERE IS AN UNEVEN
NUMBER OF PEOPLE SEATED, AN EXTRA CHAIR IS SET TO SYMBOLIZE A
DECEASED RELATIVE OR FRIEND, OR SOMEONE OF THE FAMILY WHO IS UNABLE
TO ATTEND.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; SYMBOL ; Table Setting ; tradition ; UKRAINIAN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas
BELIEF -- Number Even number (not specific)
BELIEF -- Number Odd number (not specific)

Date learned: NOT RECORDED

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE INFORMANT'S FAMILY ALWAYS SETS ONE EXTRA
PLATE FOR DINNER. THE PLATE IS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR THE CHRIST CHILD.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Table Setting ; tradition

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

Date learned: 01-00-1968

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POLISH CUSTOM

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, STRAW IS PLACED UNDER THE TABLECLOTH AND AN
EMPTY PLACE IS LEFT SO THE CHRIST CHILD WOULD BE WELCOME TO COME.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; POLISH ; Table Setting ; tradition

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

Date learned: 12-01-1967

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CHRISTMAS EVE CUSTOM

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THEY PLACE AN AX UNDER THE TABLE, AND EVERY
MEMBER OF THE FAMILY MUST HAVE ONE FOOT ON IT.

Submitter comment:

JO'S BOYFRIEND IS SLAVIK (SLAVIC) AND (THEY PRACTICE THIS CUSTOM) IN
THEIR HOME.

Data entry tech comment:

ITEM REWORDED TO FIT FORMAT.

Updated by TRD

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; DORM ROOM ; MICHIGAN, ASSUMED

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Slavic ; Table Setting ; tradition

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

Date learned: 10-02-1969

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CUSTOM-UKRAINIAN

ON CHRISTMAS EVE AN EXTRA PLACE IS SET AT THE TABLE FOR ANY
MEMBER OF THE FAMILY WHO HAS DIED RECENTLY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Table Setting ; tradition ; UKRAINIAN

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

Date learned: 10-31-1968

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CUSTOM FESTIVAL

IN UKRAINE, A PIECE OF GARLIC IS PLACED UNDER THE TABLECLOTH
ON EACH CORNER OF THE TABLE DURING SUPPER ON CHRISTMAS EVE. THIS
SERVES TO KEEP THE FAMILY FREE FROM ILLNESS FOR THE YEAR (NEXT).

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT RECEIVED INFORMATION FROM RELATIVES IN UKRAINE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Table Setting ; tradition ; UKRAINIAN

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.4
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas

Date learned: 10-07-1967

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CHRISTMAS IS A BELOVED HOLIDAY FOR POLISH PEOPLE. BEGINNING AT
SUNDOWN THE FAMILY SITS DOWN TO THE EVENING MEAL. THIS MEAL IS
MEATLESS AND CONSISTS OF NINE COURSES. WHEN THE FIRST EVENING
STAR APPEARS THE MEAL BEGINS. STRAW IS PLACED UNDERNEATH
A WHITE TABLECLOTH TO SIGNIFY CHRIST'S BIRTH IN A MANGER. A
CHRISTMAS WAFER CALLED "OPLATEK" IS SHARED WITH EACH MEMBER
OF THE FAMILY BEGINNING WITH THE FATHER. GOOD HEALTH, GOD'S
BLESSINGS AND JOY IS EXTENDED TO ALL. THIS COMPLETED, THE MEAL
BEGINS. THE SOUP IS CREAMED MUSHROOM. FOLLOWING WE HAVE PIEROGI
(DUMPLINGS) WITH CABBAGE OR POTATO AND CHEESE. WE ALSO HAVE A
VARIETY OF FISH. COLD HERRING, FISH IN GELATIN (GALARECIE),
BAKED FISH, RYE BREAD AND SAUR KRAUT (SAUERKRAUT) PREPARED WITH
MUSHROOMS. COFFEE AND BABKA FOR DESERT. AFTER THE PEOPLE RETURN
FROM MIDNIGHT MASS THEY BRING OUT THE BAKED HAM AND HOMEMADE
KIELBASA WHICH EVERY GOOD POLACK MAKES HIMSELF AND THEY EAT, DRINK
AND MAKE MERRY.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; SAINT CLAIR SHORES

Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: 122 Christmas
686 686.1.9
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Church

Date learned: 11-10-1971

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POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

THE CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER CONSISTED OF THE TRADITIONAL RED BEET
SOUP CALLED "KIVAS" SERVED ONLY WITH WHITE SLENDER EGG-NOODLES.
HERRING FISH CALLED "SLEDZIE" AND ONLY ONE PIECE OF WHITE HOMEMADE
BREAD WERE ALSO SERVED. THESE WERE THE ONLY THINGS ON THE TABLE.
WHITE DISHES COULD ONLY BE USED TOO. OPLATKI (UNLEAVED (UNLEAVENED)
BREAD) WAS SERVED FIRST. EVERYONE SHARED THEIR PIECE WITH EVERYONE
ELSE. THE BREAD SLICE WAS CALLED "CZERWONI KIVAS" AND WAS ONLY
ONE PER PERSON.

Submitter comment:

MY MOTHER TOLD ME ABOUT THIS CUSTOM. SHE HEARD IT FROM HER
GRANDMOTHER MRS. KATHERINE ANDZYEWSKI IN TOLEDO ABOUT 1930. SHE
WAS 60 AT THE TIME AND DIED 13 YEARS LATER.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: OHIO ; TOLEDO

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

Subject headings: 122 Christmas
686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82

Date learned: NOT RECORDED

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THE TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER (POLISH TRADITION)

A GROUP OF RELATIVES AND FRIENDS WOULD BE INVITED TO PARTAKE
OF SEVEN, NINE, OR ELEVEN MEATLESS FOODS (ALWAYS AN ODD NUMBER).
THE MEAL USUALLY CONSISTED OF SOUPS, DUMPLINGS, FISH, PICKLED
HERRING, BOILED POTATOES, SAUR KRAUT (SAUERKRAUT) WITH MUSHROOMS,
BOILED RICE, COOKED PRUNES. THE TABLE WAS COVERED WITH A
TABLECLOTH, WITH SOME STRAW UNDERNEATH, THERE PRESENTS FOR THE
CHILDREN WOULD BE HIDDEN. THE CHILDREN WERE NOT ALLOWED TO
LOOK FOR THEM UNTIL AFTER THE DINNER. AT THE MEAL EVERYONE WOULD
TAKE A PIECE OF ANGEL BREAD (WAFER) AND SHARE IT WITH OTHERS,
WISHING THEM GOOD HEALTH AND LUCK FOR THE COMING YEAR.

Submitter comment:

SOME PEOPLE STILL PRACTICE THIS CUSTOM TODAY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; RESIDENCE ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; LUCK ; Vegetarian

Subject headings: 122 Christmas
686 Seven / Sevenths / Several
686 Ninths / Nine
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.82
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Gifts, gift giving at Christmas
BELIEF -- Number P686.1.11
BELIEF -- Number Odd number (not specific)

Date learned: NOT RECORDED

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