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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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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE CHILDREN ALL STAND BY THE WINDOW AND WATCH
FOR THE FIRST STAR TO APPEAR BECAUSE NOT UNTIL THEN IS EVERYONE
ALLOWED TO EAT SUPPER.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector are the same person.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD ; METEOROLOGICAL

Subject headings: 686 686.1
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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START OF CHRISTMAS FEAST

THE POLISH PEOPLE DID NOT START TO EAT THEIR CHRISTMAS MEAL UNTIL
THE FIRST STAR SHONE AS A SIGN THAT CHRIST WAS HERE OR COMING.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD ; METEOROLOGICAL ; RELIGION

Subject headings: 686 686.1
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER

THE DINNER ON CHRISTMAS EVE SHOULD NOT BE STARTED TILL THE FIRST
STAR FALLS.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant and collector share the same surname.
 

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE

Keyword(s): FOOD ; METEOROLOGICAL

Subject headings: 686 686.1
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas

Date learned: 00-00-1920

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE MOTHER PUTS A FEW VARIETIES OF EACH FOOD ON
THE TABLE IN BASKETS, AND THE CHILDREN TAKE THE BASKETS TO THEIR GOD
PARENTS.

Submitter comment: INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM RELATIVES IN UKRAINE.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): FOOD CUSTOM

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Table setting and clearing
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Santa Claus

Date learned: 11-19-1967

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IN THE UKRAINIAN VILLAGE,
ON CHRISTMAS EVE, PRIOR TO THE EVENING MEAL, A SPOONFUL
OF EACH DISH IS MIXED INTO THE FEED OF THE DOMESTIC
ANIMALS, BECAUSE ANIMALS WERE THE FIRST TO BEHOLD
THE NEW-BORN CHRIST.

Data entry tech comment:

Informant is collector's mother.

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 Feeding animals, spirits of trees

Date learned: 10-00-1970

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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

Subject headings: 122 Christmas
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 24 Christmas Eve Christmas

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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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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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CUSTOM-UKRAINIAN

THERE IS NO MEAT EATEN ON CHRISTMAS EVE, BUT A SPECIAL
12 COURSE DINNER IS SERVED ON CHRISTMAS DAY.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; FOOD ; FOOD CUSTOM ; tradition ; UKRAINIAN

Subject headings: 122 Christmas
122 Christmas

Date learned: 10-31-1968

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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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CHRISTMAS

CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER ALWAY(S) CONSISTED OF OYSTER STEW AND
WHITE WINE.

Submitter comment:

(GRANDMOTHER'S CUSTOM)

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; FOOD ; FOOD CUSTOM ; holiday ; Oyster ; SEAFOOD ; Wine

Subject headings: 122 Christmas

Date learned: UNKNOWN

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BREAKFAST BEFORE CHRISTMAS

THE FIRST MEAL ON THE DAY BEFORE CHRISTMAS THE POLISH PEOPLE
HAD ONLY A GLASS OF JUICE AND A PIECE OF BREAD. THEY DID THIS
AS THE LAST DAY OF THEIR FASTING BEFORE CHRISTMAS IN THE
SEASON OF ADVENT. IT WAS ALSO A MEANS OF SAVING FOR THE COMING
FEAST IN CELEBRATION OF THE ARRIVAL OF CHRIST.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: DETROIT

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

Subject headings: 122 Christmas

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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VIGILIA

CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER SHOULD BE WITH THE ENTIRE FAMILY AT THE MOTHER'S
HOUSE--CALLED VIGILIA. THERE SHOULD BE 13 DIFFERENT DISHES
SERVED AND EACH PERSON SHOULD HAVE AT LEAST ONE OF EACH ITEM.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: PENNSYLVANIA ; ERIE

Keyword(s): CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; Dinner ; FOOD ; holiday ; tradition ; Vigilia

Subject headings: 122 Christmas
686 Specific number by specific number being described

Date learned: 00001920'S

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"FOOD FOR CHRISTMAS EVE"

IT IS A POLISH CUSTOM THAT ON CHRISTMAS EVE AT THE SUPPER TABLE
THERE SHOULD BE NINE (9) DIFFERENT TYPES OF FOOD TO EAT.
EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING TO EAT. THIS
IS DONE TO BRING GOOD LUCK INTO THE HOME.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

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

Subject headings: 122 Christmas
686 Ninths / Nine

Date learned: 09-22-1969

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UKRAINIAN CUSTOM

CHRISTMAS EVE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN CHRISTMAS. A SPECIAL DINNER
WOULD TAKE PLACE ON CHRISTMAS EVE CONSISTING OF SPECIAL FOODS
LIKE PANCAKES, MUCHROOMS (MUSHROOMS), POPPY SEEDS AND OTHER
REGIONAL FOODS. ONE CANDLE WAS LIT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TABLE.
THERE WAS NO MEAT OF ANY FORM SERVED ON THIS DAY.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT IS AN UKRAINIAN-AMERICAN WHO PRACTICED THIS CUSTOM
DURING HER CHILDHOOD.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; PONTIAC

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

Subject headings: 122 Christmas
686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles

Date learned: 10-02-1971

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CHRISTMAS

THE SUPPER ON CHRISTMAS EVE ALWAYS STRICTLY EXCLUDES ALL MEAT
AND DAIRY PRODUCTS.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT LEARNED THIS PASSED ALONG FROM GENERATIONS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): ABSTINENCE FROM DAIRY PRODUCTS ; ABSTINENCE FROM MEAT ; CHRISTMAS ; CUSTOM ; FOOD ; holiday ; Vegan ; Vegetarian

Subject headings: 122 Christmas

Date learned: 11-19-1967

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AMOUNT OF FOOD ON THE TABLE

AT THE FESTIVE MEAL ON CHRISTMAS EVE THE PEOPLE IN POLAND
WERE ONLY ALLOWED TO HAVE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF ITEMS OF FOOD
ON THE TABLE. AT FIRST THE NUMBER WAS NINE BUT THAN (THEN) IT
WAS CHANGED, EVENTUALLY TO 13. THE NUMBER COULD NOT BE EVEN
IT ALWAYS HAD TO BE AN ODD NUMBER.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

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

Subject headings: 122 Christmas
686 Specific number by specific number being described
686 Ninths / Nine
BELIEF -- Number Odd number (not specific)

Date learned: 00-00-1968

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CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

MANY POLISH PEOPLE EAT ONLY CERTAIN FOODS ON CHRISTMAS EVE (DEC. 24).
THESE FOODS CONSISTS (CONSIST) OF FISH, CHEESE, EGGS, BREAD,
FRUIT, SALT AND PEPPER, AND MILK.

Submitter comment:

THE INFORMANT PRACTICES THIS CUSTOM EVERY YEAR.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; WARREN

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

Subject headings: 122 Christmas

Date learned: 11-07-1971

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CHRISTMAS

THERE IS A POLISH CUSTOM THAT THE MEAL EATEN ON CHRISTMAS EVE DAY IS
TO BE A MEATLESS MEAL. THIS MEAL IS CALLED "VIGELIA" BY THE POLES.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

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

Subject headings: 122 Christmas

Date learned: 03-19-1970

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