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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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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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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

AT SUPPER ON CHRISTMAS EVE, THE MOTHER PUTS TWO LOAVES OF BREAD
ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TABLE WITH A CANDLE STUCK IN EACH LOAF.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT LEARNED THIS FROM PARENTS.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

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

Subject headings: 122 Christmas
686 Seconds / Twice / Two
CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 21 solstice to March 20 Lights and candles

Date learned: 11-19-1967

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WHEN AN UNFAMILIAR GUEST ENTERS YOUR HOME, YOU
MUST HAVE FRESH FLOWERS IN THE HOUSE. THIS CUSTOM
ENSURED A HAPPY VISIT FOR BOTH PARTIES.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: CANADA ; COLLECTED BY MAIL ; MONTREAL

Keyword(s): BELIEF ; CUSTOM ; FLOWERS ; Guest ; HOSPITALITY ; SUPERSTITION ; tradition

Subject headings: 686 Properties attributed to specific numbers or numerals individually.
BELIEF -- Street Trip Relations between relatives, friends, host and guest Social class Rank
BELIEF -- Bad luck

Date learned: 00-00-1970

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ON ST. NICHOLAS DAY (DECEMBER 6) IT IS A TRADITION AMONG
POLES IN CHICAGO TO HAVE THEIR CHILDREN PUT SHOES
OUT ON THE FRONT PORCH; DURING THE NIGHT THE SHOES
ARE FILLED WITH TANGERINES, A FAVORITE FRUIT
AROUND CHRISTMAS TIME.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT HIGH SCHOOL

Keyword(s): Celebration ; CUSTOM ; CUSTOM ; FESTIVAL ; GAME ; holiday ; Nicholas ; Nick ; Saint ; ST. NICHOLAS ; tradition

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas

Date learned: 10-27-1971

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ON ST. NICHOLAS DAY, DECEMBER 6, PARENTS GIVE THEIR
CHILDREN ONE GIFT.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: ILLINOIS ; GLENVIEW

Keyword(s): CUSTOM ; GIFT ; holiday ; Nick ; Saint ; ST. NICHOLAS ; tradition

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas

Date learned: 11-29-1970

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EVERY ST. NICHOLAS FEAST DAY CHILDREN WOULD RECEIVE GIFTS
AS THOUGH IT WERE CHRISTMAS. HOWEVER, THE CHILDREN ALSO
RECEIVED GIFTS AGAIN AT CHRISTMAS.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT'S GRANDPARENTS OBSERVED THIS CUSTOM IN
GERMANY. HIS PARENTS CONTINUED THIS PRACTICE IN THE
U.S. WITH THEIR CHILDREN.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; GERMANY ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Celebration ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Nick ; Saint ; ST. NICHOLAS ; tradition

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas

Date learned: 02-19-1970

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TRADITIONALLY OUR FAMILY OBSERVES ST. NICHOLAS' FEAST
DAY BY PUTTING THE CHILDREN'S SHOES IN FRONT OF THE
FIREPLACE. AFTER THE CHILDREN HAVE GONE TO BED, THE
PARENTS FILL THE SHOES WITH GIFTS AND CANDY.

Submitter comment:

INFORMANT EXPERIENCED THIS CUSTOM IN APPLETON,
WISCONSIN. INFORMANT'S GRANDPARENTS WERE IMMIGRANTS
FROM HOLLAND AND THIS CUSTOM IS ARDENTLY OBSERVED THERE.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT ; HOLLAND ; WISCONSIN ; APPLETON

Keyword(s): Celebration ; holiday ; Nick ; Saint ; ST. NICHOLAS ; tradition

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas

Date learned: 12-02-1967

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FINDING A BOWL OF NUTS AND FRUIT ON THE MORNING OF
ST. NICHOLAS DAY (DECEMBER 6) (IS A CUSTOM).

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Celebration ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Nick ; Saint ; ST. NICHOLAS ; tradition

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas

Date learned: NOT GIVEN

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GERMAN CUSTOM

ON DECEMBER 6 THE GERMANS PUT THEIR STOCKINGS OUT,
AND THIS IS IN THE OLD CHRISTMAS TRADITION. IF
THE CHILD IS GOOD, HE RECEIVES ALL KINDS OF GOOD
THINGS, BUT IF HE IS A BAD CHILD, HE RECEIVES TWO
LUMPS OF COAL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): Celebrate ; CUSTOM ; GERMAN ; holiday ; Nicholas ; Saint ; St. Nick ; tradition

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas

Date learned: 11-00-1968

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ON DECEMBER 6 ALL THE CHILDREN HANG UP THEIR STOCKING AND
ST. NICHOLAS COMES (EQUIPPED WITH BISHOPS HAT AND
A LONG WHIP). HE FILLS THE GOOD CHILDREN'S STOCKINGS
WITH FRUIT AND NUTS, THE BAD CHILDREN GET COAL.

Submitter comment:

THIS IS AN ACTUAL PRACTICE IN NEW HAMBURG, MISSOURI
(OR WAS WHEN THE INFORMANT WAS YOUNG) SHE SAYS SHE
HEARD OF A NEIGHBOR BOY WHO RECEIVED COAL.

Data entry tech comment:

Updated by TRD

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; MISSOURI ; DETROIT ; NEW HAMBURG

Keyword(s): Celebrate ; CUSTOM ; holiday ; Nicholas ; Saint ; St. Nick ; tradition

Subject headings: CUSTOM FESTIVAL -- December 6 Feast of St. Nicholas

Date learned: 09-20-1968

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