The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

POLISH CHRISTMAS TRADITION

PRIOR TO SETTING THE CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER TABLE, ONE STRAND OF HAY
FOR EVERY PERSON SHARING THE MEAL IS PLACED IN THE CENTER OF THE
TABLE UNDER THE TABLE CLOTH. THE STRANDS ARE OF VARYING LENGTHS.
AFTER DINNER, EVERYONE MAKES A WISH AND PULLS A STRAND OF HAY
OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE TABLECLOTH. THE INDIVIDUAL WHO PULLS OUT
THE LONGEST STRAND OF HAY WILL OBTAIN HIS WISH BEFORE THE END OF
THE NEW YEAR.

Submitter comment: THOUGH THE WISHES AREN'T GUARANTEED, CHILDREN AS WELL AS SOME
ADULTS EXPECT THEM TO COME TRUE.

Where learned: DETROIT

Date learned: CA00001890S ; 01-13-1980