The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

IT IS A POLISH CUSTOM ON CHRISTMAS EVE TO SERVE A BIG MEAL.
THE NUMBER OF COURSES SERVED IS ALWAYS AN ODD NUMBER AND THEY MAY
INCLUDE DISHES LIKE MUSHROOMS, CABBAGE, PEROGI, STEWED FRUIT AND
HERRING, BUT NO MEAT OR POULTRY IS EVER SERVED. THE TABLE IS
SET WITH AN EXTRA PLACE SETTING IN CASE AN UNEXPECTED GUEST SHOULD
ARRIVE. A PIECE OF STRAW IS PLACED UNDER THE TABLECLOTH TO SIGNIFY
THE REMEMBRANCE OF CHRIST BEING BORN IN A BARN. THE HOST IS BROKEN
AND PASSED ON BY EACH MEMBER SEATED AT THE TABLE AND EACH PERSON
WISHES SOMETHING TO THE NEXT PERSON AS THE HOST IS BEING BROKEN.

Submitter comment: THIS CUSTOM IS VERY COMMON AMONG POLISH PEOPLE WITH SOME VARIATIONS
AS TO WHAT IS SERVED AND HOW MANY COURSES ARE SERVED. THIS IS
ESPECIALLY STILL CARRIED ON BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME FROM POLAND OR
IF THEIR PARENTS HAD COME FROM POLAND.
OPLATKI

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: CA00001960