The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

POLISH CHRISTMAS CUSTOM

ON CHRISTMAS EVE, IT WAS A CUSTOM IN OUR FAMILY TO GATHER
AT THE HOME OF OUR GRANDPARENTS FOR A MEAL AND CELEBRATION.
AT MIDNIGHT EVERYONE TOOK A PIECE OF WHITE WAFER,
CALLED OPLATKI, AND WENT AROUND TO ALL THE OTHERS,
WISHING THEM A MERRY CHRISTMAS. THE RECIPIENT OF THESE
GREETINGS WOULD BREAK OFF A BIT OF THE OTHER PERSON'S
WAFER AND THEN OFFER HIM HIS OWN, RETURNING THE GOOD
WISHES.

Submitter comment: THE INFORMANT SAYS THE CUSTOMS STOPPED ABOUT EIGHT YEARS
AGO WHEN THE GRANDFATHER DIED.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; UNIVERSITY OF DETROIT ; DETROIT ; VARSITY NEWS OFFICE

Date learned: 04-11-1967