The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

CHRISTMAS TREES

CHRISTMAS TREES ARE VERY POPULAR IN POLAND. IN THE LARGE HOUSES IN
THE CITIES THEY ARE PLACED ON THE FLOOR OR THE TABLE. IN OUR
VILLAGE, MIELIEC, PEOPLE HUNG THEM FROM THE CEILING BY THE TOP
BRANCHES, ALL DECORATED WITH APPLES, NUTS, CANDIES AND MANY SMALL
TOYS MADE OUT OF BLOWN EGGS, COLORED PAPER AND STRAW. IT IS
SUPPOSED THAT THE GIFTS WERE BROUGHT BY AN ANGEL, SINCE ST. NICHOLAS
VISITED THE CHILDREN ON DEC. 6. AN OLD CHRISTMAS CAROL IS SUNG AND
THEN THE GIFTS ARE OPENNED.

Submitter comment: EVEN A BARE, SMALL CHRISTMAS TREE WITH A LITTLE ORNAMENTS, BROUGHT
HAPPINESS TO PEOPLE AT A TIME WHEN SIMPLE PLEASURES WERE ALL THAT
MATTERED.

Where learned: POLAND ; WARSAW ; MIELIEC

Date learned: 00-00-1940