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SWEDISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

AT CHRISTMAS TIME THE SWEDES PUT ONE ALMOND IN RICE PUDDING. THE
PERSON WHO GETS THIS ALMOND IS SAID TO HAVE GOOD LUCK
IN THE COMING YEAR.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DEARBORN

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

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Predictions
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Single dishes

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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CHRISTMAS TREAT

MANY YEARS AGO, MY GRANDMOTHER'S FAMILY SERVED
APPLES (RUSSET APPLES) AT CHRISTMAS TIME TO GUESTS.
THAT WAS THE ONLY TIME THEY HAD RUSSET APPLES. THE CHILDREN
WOULD RECEIVE ORANGES IN THEIR STOCKINGS. THIS WAS
THE ONLY TIME OF YEAR THAT THEY HAD ORANGES SO THEY
WERE A REAL TREAT.

Where learned: TOLD AT HOME

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Single dishes

Date learned: 03-31-1971

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CHRISTMAS - FOOD, DRINK

IN UKRAINE, IT IS CUSTOMARY TO
EAT BOILED WHEAT MIXED WITH
HONEY AND POPPY SEEDS DURING
CHRISTMAS.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT RECEIVED INFORMATION PASSED ON BY RELATIVES IN UKRAINE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Single dishes

Date learned: 10-04-1967

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CHRISTMAS PARTY

LAST CHRISTMAS, WHEN I WAS AT A FRIEND'S HOUSE FOR A CHRISTMAS
PARTY, THEY HAD A CELEBRATION IN WHICH EVERYBODY IN THE HOUSE WAS
GIVEN A PIECE OF BREAD, LIKE MOTZA. EACH PERSON WOULD BREAK OFF A
PIECE OF BREAD AND PUT IT IN ANOTHER'S MOUTH AND, IF IT WAS A GIRL,
WOULD PROCEED TO KISS THE GIRL OR IF IT WERE A MAN HE WOULD SHAKE
HANDS.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Oplatki

Date learned: 11-18-1968

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BREAKING OF BREAD

DURING CHRISTMAS, BEFORE DINNER, THE FAMILIES GATHER TOGETHER AND
EACH MEMBER HAS A PIECE OF "ANGEL BREAD" (UNLEAVENED BREAD).
THEN EACH MEMBER BREAKS A PIECE OFF EACH OF THE OTHER MEMBER'S PIECE
OF "ANGEL BREAD" WHILE WISHING THEM THE BEST OF EVERYTHING FOR THAT
SEASON, FOLLOWED BY A KISS OR A HAND SHAKE. AFTER EVERYONE HAS
EXCHANGED, THE PIECES ARE EATEN.

Submitter comment:

IF A MEMBER IS OUT OF TOWN, THE OUT OF TOWNER SENDS A PIECE
OF "ANGEL BREAD" IN A GREETING CARD TO THE FAMILY FOR EXCHANGE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Oplatki
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Greetings, wishes, prayers, cards
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- Spring Planting

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

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EXTRA INCOME

IN POLAND AT CHRISTMAS THE CHOIRMASTER BROUGHT THE RECTANGULAR
HOSTS TO EACH FAMILY. HE WAS ALLOWED TO DO THIS AS A WAY OF
SUPPLEMENTING HIS INCOME, WHICH WASN'T MUCH. EACH FAMILY WOULD GIVE
HIM A GIFT WHEN HE BROUGHT THE WAFER.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Oplatki
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Church

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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A CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

AT CHRISTMAS TIME, THE FAMILY OBTAINS AN UNCONSECRATED HOST. THE
OLDEST MEMBER TAKES A BITE OF THE HOST AND WISHES A HAPPY NEW
YEAR. HE OR SHE KISSES THE NEXT OLDEST, AND THIS IS PASSED DOWN
THE LINE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; HOLDEN HALL ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; RELIGION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Oplatki

Date learned: 10-00-1967

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OPLATEK-UNLEAVENED BREAD

EACH PERSON TAKES A PIECE, THEN GOES
AROUND TO THE OTHERS BREAKING OFF A PIECE
OF THEIRS AND WISHES THEM GOOD LUCK,
HEALTH, AND HAPPINESS.

Where learned: LOCATION NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Oplatki

Date learned: 10-00-1968

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A POLISH CHRISTMAS

AT CHRISTMAS TIME EACH PERSON HAS AN UNCONSECRATED HOST WHICH IS
BROKEN IN HALF BY ANOTHER. AS THE PERSON BREAKS THE HOST,
THE ORIGINAL HOLDER OF THE HOST MAKES A WISH FOR THE ONE WHO
IS DOING THE BREAKING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; HOLDEN HALL ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; RELIGION

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Oplatki

Date learned: 10-00-1967

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

AT CHRISTMAS TIME, THE CHURCH ORGANIST OF ST. PETER & PAUL
SELLS A SMALL WAFER CALLED OPLATIKA. THEY ARE SQUARE
AND TASTE LIKE A COMMUNION TYPE HOST. AFTER MIDNIGHT MASS,
THE FAMILIES HAVE A DINNER AT WHICH EVERYONE IN THE FAMILY
BREAKS OFF A PIECE AND EATS IT.

Submitter comment:

[St. Peter & Paul is a] Roman Catholic [church.]

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; informant's home

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Oplatki
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Church

Date learned: 11-02-1969

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CHRISTMAS DAY

IN POLISH FAMILIES BEFORE EVERYBODY STARTS EATING, THE HEAD OF
THE FAMILY PASSES BREAD AROUND TO EVERYBODY WHICH HAS BEEN BLESSED
BY THE PRIEST OF THEIR CHURCH.

Where learned: UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; RENO HALL

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Oplatki
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Church

Date learned: 11-14-1968

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SHARING BREAD

ONE OF THE CUSTOMS OF THE POLISH PEOPLE AT CHRISTMAS TIME
WAS TO SHARE BREAD (MADE OF FLOUR AND WATER) WITH HONEY. THE
FATHER WOULD START BY GIVING HIS WIFE A PIECE OF HIS BREAD AND
AT THE SAME TIME WISHING HER A MERRY CHRISTMAS. THEN EACH CHILD
WOULD FOLLOW ACCORDING TO AGE. THEN THE WIFE WOULD GO
THROUGH THE SAME PROCEDURE.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share the same surname.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Oplatki

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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AT CHRISTMASTIME OR AT OTHER BIG
GATHERINGS, SOME UNLEAVEN BREAD IN
SHEETS IS ON THE TABLE. WHEN A
PERSON WALKS UP TO YOU WITH A
SHEET AND WISHES YOU VARIOUS
BENEFICIAL THINGS, YOU BREAK OFF
A PIECE OF BREAD FOR EACH WISH AND
EAT IT. THIS IS DONE IN POLISH COMMUNITIES.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; HOLDEN HALL ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Oplatki

Date learned: 11-00-1967

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POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

AT CHRISTMAS TIME MANY POLISH PEOPLE
GATHER TOGETHER AT A PARTY. EVERYONE HAS A
BLESSED WAFER MADE OF OPWATKI. TWO PEOPLE
BREAK A PIECE OFF EACH OTHER'S WAFER, EAT IT, AND
WISH EACH OTHER GOOD LUCK.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM ; OPLATKI

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Oplatki

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

BEFORE DINNER EVERYONE HAS A PIECE OF A
WAFER SIMILAR TO THE COMMUNION WAFER.
THIS WAFER MAY BE WHITE, PINK, OR BLUE AND
USUALLY HAS AN IMPRINT OF THE NAVITY
SCENE, THE THREE WISE MEN, OR THE SHEPHERDS
ON IT. EVERYBODY TAKES A PIECE OF EACH
OTHER'S WAFER AND WISHES THEM HEALTH,
HAPPINESS, AND A MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Oplatki

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

AMONG THE LITHUANIANS, THERE IS A TRADITIONAL MEAL ON THE
EVE OF CHRISTMAS. ON THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT (FOUR WEEKS
BEFORE CHRISTMAS) THE LOCAL PRIEST WOULD VISIT EVERY HOUSE
FOR A YEARLY VISITATION. AT THAT TIME HE WOULD GIVE EVERY
FAMILY A PIECE OF UNLEAVENED BREAD, RESEMBLING THE HOST USED
AT MASS. THIS BREAD WOULD BE DECORATED WITH BRIGHT COLORS AND
WITH SCENES OF THE NATIVITY. THIS BREAD WAS TO BE SAVED FOR
THIS CHRISTMAS EVE MEAL. THE PEOPLE WOULD GIVE THE PRIEST
A DONATION FOR THIS PLOTKA. ALONG WITH THE PLOTKA, SOLE
AND FISH WERE ALSO SERVED. THE DESERT WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT
PART. EXTRAVAGANT DESERTS WERE SERVED, WHICH WOULD NORMALLY
NOT BE SERVED AT ANY OTHER TIME (E.G. GOATS MILK WITH POPPY
SEEDS.)

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Oplatki

Date learned: 09-23-1971

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CHRISTMAS NIGHT (EVE)

ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT (EVE) IN IRELAND, CANDLES ARE LIT AND PUT ON THE
WINDOWS. THE FATHER OF THE FAMILY LEADS THE CHILDREN, FOLLOWED BY
THE MOTHER, INTO EACH ROOM TO LIGHT THE CANDLES. THE ROSARY IS
RECITED DURING THE PROCESSION, AND PRAYERS ARE SAID FOR THE DEAD, THE
LIVING AND "THE BORN TO BE." THEN FOOD IS LEFT ON THE KITCHEN TABLE
BECAUSE JESUS, MARY AND JOSEPH MAY DROP IN DURING THE NIGHT FOR
SOMETHING TO EAT. THE KITCHEN DOOR IS LEFT OPEN ALL NIGHT TO RECEIVE
THEM OR ANY OTHER TRAVELER WHO MAY NEED LODGING FOR THE NIGHT.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

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

Date learned: 11-00-1970

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CHRISTMAS

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, FATHER OF HOUSEHOLD
MUST FEED ALL THE LIVESTOCK THE BEST
FOOD, BECAUSE IT IS BELIEVED THAT
THAT NIGHT LIVESTOCK CAN SPEAK, AND SO
MIGHT COMPLAIN TO GOD.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM PARENTS.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share same surname.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ANIMALS ; FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve F122.4
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw

Date learned: 11-17-1967

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CHRISTMAS

AFTER SUPPER ON CHRISTMAS EVE,
THE MOTHER TAKES 3 TABLESPOONS
OF EACH FOOD ON THE TABLE, AND
PLACES THEM IN A DISH FOR THE
SPIRITS OF THE DECEASED IN THE
FAMILY.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM RELATIVES IN UKRAINE.

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 Christmas
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Straw

Date learned: 11-19-1967

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THE UKRAINIANS PUT ONE EXTRA PLACE SETTING AT
THE CHRISTMAS EVE SUPPER TABLE FOR ALL THE DEAD MEMBERS
OF THEIR FAMILY, AND WILL FILL IT WITH FOOD SO
THAT THE SPIRITS WILL NOT GO HUNGRY ON THIS
"SVIAT VECHIR" OR HOLY EVENING.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

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

Date learned: DATE NOT RECORDED BY COLLECTOR.

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