Christmas

In Poland special attention is paid to Christmas. People start to think about it in early November and prepare very carefully.

The two nicest moments are buying a Christmas tree and presents. As Christmas is so special, the gifts we give are special, too. We choose them very carefully, because we want to make our relatives and friends happy. We also send Christmas cards to our family and friends.

Even though artificial Christmas trees become more popular every year, many people buy natural ones. The whole family comes together and chooses the tree. They want to have the most beautiful one, as they say they cannot imagine Christmas without the scent of a fresh tree.

A typical Polish Christmas tree is colourful and trimmed with hand made decorations. A few days before Christmas, Polish housewives start to prepare dishes for the Christmas Eve supper. According to the tradition, there should be twelve dishes on the table. The number of dishes is equal to the number of the Apostles. Among the dishes there are herrings, carp, trout, borsch or mushroom soup, pies and cakes.

Traditionally one place at the table should be set for an unexpected guest. If somebody comes, we have to invite him to the table and share our dinner with him. A little bit of hay is put under the tablecloth. This is the symbol of the fact that Jesus was born in a little stable.

When the table is set and the Christmas tree decorated, we wait for the first star to shine. Then we sit down to have supper. But before we start to eat we share a wafer with our family and wish each other all the best.

After the supper we unpack the gifts which were placed under the Christmas tree. Then we sing Christmas carols. Many people go to church for the midnight mass.

In Poland we spend Christmas day, December 25, with our families and on Boxing Day we visit our relatives or friends. But only if we are invited.

Polish Christmas is most beautiful. It is about peace and forgiveness. This special atmosphere makes us wait for Christmas with some impatience. For most people it is their favourite festival.

Merry Christmas!

Daria

Christmas symbols

Hi!

I will write about Polish Christmas symbols, traditions and customs, because others have written about other things.

Christmas tree – symbol of life (green, fresh needles)
Things on the Christmas tree:
- chains - they symbolise the snake from the Bible - devil or strengthened family bonds
-star – Star of Bethlehem
-apples - health and beauty
-nuts - guarantee the prosperity and vital forces,
-honey gingerbread - good luck for the New Year,
-lamps and glass balls were supposed to protect the house from demons
-cherubim (small angels)- these are carers of the house

Presents – we get presents because Jesus got the presents from the Three Kings
Christmas carols - the most well-known of carols are “Silence night, holy night”, “Today in Bethlehem”
Carol singers – the people dressed up as animals (stork, goat, bear) – Mazury – the part of Poland
Carol singers – the people dressed up as Santa Claus, animals… - rest of Poland

Wafer- symbol of conciliating and forgiving, sign of friendship and love

First star of the sky - symbolic reference to the Star of Bethlehem
Christmas play – show of the Jesus born (first Christmas play was created by Franciszek from Asyż)
Santa Claus – bishop of Mira (he lived in 3rd and 4th century AD)

Mistletoe - under mistletoe people in love kiss

The number of Christmas dishes refers to important symbols :
12 Christmas dishes on the table = 12 apostles
7 Christmas dishes = 7 days in week
9 Christmas dishes = 9 of heavenly hosts

Christmas

It's December now so we've got Christmas in Poland. It's a dominant subject in winter. Maybe you would like to find out about the way we celebrate it in our country.

In Poland Christmas is the most popular holiday. Everyone waits for it actually for the whole year. On this night we can be with our families and friends. We live in reconciliation. I think there's no person who dislikes X-mas.

In Poland some people read the Bible. There has never been such a custom in my house. When the first star is in the sky we (me and my family) just start celebrating. We share the wafer. In Poland on the table there should be 12, 9 or 7 dishes during the Christmas supper. In my house there have always been 7 or 9 (it depends on my mother - she cooks). Oh, and we have a Christmas tree of course! But only I can decorate it. I could say it's our house custom! ;) I always make home gingerbread with my mother and sister. There's no X-mas with no gingerbread in my house.

Now the most important thing about Christmas - presents! In Poland it could be anything - from a great modern brand-new computer to ugly drawers. No present can destroy our good mood - it's Christmas! I usually get books because everyone in my family knows that I love them. I often get DVD films too.

Merry Christmas!!!!!! ;*

Christmas in Poland

Christmas is the best moment in the whole year. This is the only moment when the whole family can spend a little time together.

In Poland we celebrate for three days. In every house there are artificial or live Christmas trees, under which on 24th of December there are a lot of gifts. Children wait to unwrap the gifts. Before Christmas, all the children write a letter to Santa Claus.
People decorate their homes with lights. At home everyone waits for Christmas Eve and then we all sit together at the table. All people share the wafer. We make a wish and sing Christmas carols.

In the evening Santa Claus arrives. On the table there should be 12 dishes: fish, dumplings, cabbage with mushrooms, borscht, fish soup. At night we go to church. We enjoy the fact that Jezus was born.

Merry Christmas!!!

Magda

Christmas in Poland

Hi! :)
Christmas is the most popular holiday in Poland. We have a few interesting customs in Poland, e.g. we put some hay under the tablecloth. There is also an empty plate on the table for an unexpected guest.

We want to buy presents for our family. Women clean the house and prepare food, men bring a Christmas tree home and children decorate all the house.

On 24th December in the afternoon we wait for the first star to appear in the sky. Later, the family gathers at the Christmas table and the Christmas dinner begins. We share the holy wafer and wish everyone "Merry Christmas!". Next, we get presents from Santa Claus and we are very happy. At midnight we go to a midnight mass and sing corols.

I like Christmas very much. It is super to celebrate it :)


Ola

Hi!

Christmas is one of the most important family holidays in Poland. We start our preparations for the holiday a few days before it. Everyone buys presents for the family and friends.

At first I and my family tidy our house and decorate it. Father goes to the special shops and buys a Christmas tree. At home I and my brother decorate it. On the table there must be 12 dishes, so there is a lot of work to do for my mother and grandmother.

On 24th December whole the family gathers at the Christmas table. There is an empty plate for an unexpected guest. My brother looks out of the window to find the first star. When there is one in the sky we share the holy wafer. Then we sit at the table and have the dinner. After it we sing carols and get presents. At 12 p.m. we go to church for a midnight mass.

Ania

Agata

Hi!;]
My name is Agata . I'm 14 and I'm from Poland . I'm a student of Piotr Skarga lower-Secondary school in Szamotuły .
I have long blond hair and blue eyes .
At the weekdays I get up at 6.3O am . My favourite subject is Biology and Music. I like listening to music: R&B, pop, house .I like animals very much. I have had lots of animals in my life. Now I have 2 little dogs . Their names are York and Bazyl. At the weekends I meet with my friends and watch lots of films, I usually go shopping with my friends. At the weekdays I go to school after that I learn .
I'm looking forward to hearing from you .;];];];]
Agata

Christmas in Poland

Hi!
Maybe I'll tell you about Christmas in our country.

In Poland we celebrate for three days. Before Christmas we buy presents , decorate our houses and our Christmas trees .We cook traditional dishes.

24th December is the most important day . Children wait for the first star that appears in the sky- it's the sign that they can start the Christmas supper. After the supper Santa Claus visits houses and gives or leaves presents.

Tradition says that animals can talk on Christmas Eve. We share the holy wafer at the beginning of the supper.We leave na extra chair and plate for a stranger who would like to eat with us. People in Poland don't eat meat -they eat fish(especially carp).

At midnight everybody goes to church (Poland is mostly a catholic country)and prays to God like sheppards who prayed to Jesus when He was born. During Christmas we like singing or listening to Christmas carols.
On 25th and 26th December we relax , we visit family and eat a lot of food.

How do you spend Christmas. What do you do on Christmas Eve? Do you look for the presents under the Christmas tree like us?

Ala

Hello!
My name is Ania and I'm 14 years old. I live in Szamotuły in the west of Poland. I have a little brother. He’s name is Mikołaj. I like animals, so I have 2 dogs: Frodo and Dasy.
What about my looks?...hm... I have short brown hair and grey eyes. I am about 160 cms tall. I usually smile and I'm happy!
I'm a student of Piotr Skarga Lower Secondary school. I'm in class 2A. I usually start lessons at 8:00 am and I finish at 3:00 pm. I like school, because I meet lots of friends there. My favourite subject is biology. Do you like biology?
After school I have many extra activities: German, Aikido, Iaido. In my free time I often hang out with my friends. We usually go to the cinema. I love rock music. My favourite band is Hey. Their best song is "Sic". Once a fortnight I go shopping. Often I buy CDs, books and clothes. I sometimes watch TV. My favourite film is “Slumdog”.
As for food, I like meat and vegetables with rice, ice cream and chocolate of course! What's is your favorite food?
Please write and tell me about you.
Ania

Hi :),
My name is Ola and I from Poland. I live in Szamotuły. I am 14 years old. I have long brown hair ad brown eyes. I am a student of Piotr skarga Lower Secondary School.

I love cats. They are great animals! I have one cat. His name is Fufik. I love him :) My hobbies are spending my free time with my cat and surfing the Net. I like going shopping and hanging out with my friends :) My favourite subjects are English, Polish and German. I hate Maths and physics. They are terrible subjects.

I like listening to music. I like pop and hip-hop but I hate rock. My favourite series is "Friends" because it is funny :) I like eating chips, hamburgers and pizza. My favourite drinks are pepsi or cola.

Please write and tell me about you.
I hope to hear from you.

Ola

Daria

Dear Friends,

This is a letter from your new penfriend! I’m 14 (almost15) years old and I’m from Pamiątkowo in the west of Poland. I have got short dark hair and blue eyes.

I’m a student of Piotr Skarga Lower Secondary School! On weekdays I get up at 6:40 and start my classes at 7:40. I stay at school till 3:00 p.m every day. My favourite subject is German but I don’t like Science.

My hobby is music! I play the cello and I also learn the piano. I go to music school. I listen to music- rock and pop. I usually go to the cinema on Saturday. I like reading books. I love holidays! I often go to the seaside in summer with my parents.

My mother's name is Justine. She is a Geography teacher. She is very nice!
She has got blue eyes and fair hair. My father's name is Gregory. He is an economist and a musican. He has got blue eyes and black hair. He is great!

My favourite superhero is Garfield. He is lazy. He likes eating and he hates
Mondays.

My best friend is Claudia. She is super! She plays the cello and rides a horse. We go to parties together. She has got blue eyes and blonde hair. She has got a black cat.

Please write to me and tell me about you and your life. I hope to hear from
you soon.

Best wishes
Daria

Hello,
My name is Magda and I from Poland. I live in Szamotuły in the west of Poland. I am 14 years old. I have blond hair and blue eyes.




I have 2 dogs: Fifi and Fred :) I'm a student of Piotr Skarga Lower Secondary School. My hobbies are volleyball and piano. I can play the piano. My favourite subjects are Maths, English and PE. I love sport. I hate Geography!! :/I like school because I talk to my friends there.

I love singing and I go to the school choir with Weronika:) My favourite band is "Green Day" but I hate "Doda". My favourite film is "Slumdog". I love skiing. My favourite actors are Angelina Jolie and Agnieszka Dygant(she is a Polish actress). My favourite food is pizza, lasagne or fish and chips.

Please write and tell me about you.
I hope to hear from you.

Magda

Hi, everyone!

My real name is Weronika but I don't like it very much so you can call me Ronnee. ;)

I'm 14 years old and I'm from Szamotuły in the west of Poland. I have long brown hair and blue eyes.

I go to the junior high school number three in Szamotuły. On weekdays I get up usually at 6.00 and I go to school from 7.40 to 3 pm. Just on Friday I can sleep longer - to 9 am. My favourite subjects are science and English but I really don't like PE.

My favourite sport is volleyball but I'm not very good player. I like swimming too. Thursdays I ride a horse. I love it. Mondays I attend extra English classes and go to gym. I love singing so I sing in school choir. My favourite kind of music is rock, of course! I really hate hip-hope. My favourite band is called 'Green Day'. Have you heard about this band before? I like Avril Lavigne too.

My favourite films are for example 'Harry Potter', 'Spider-Man', 'X-men' and 'Mission Impossible' but I really, really hate 'Star Wars'. I like to go to the cinema in Poznań (it's a big city near Szamotuły).

I love books. I need to read something all the time. My favourite book is 'Harry Potter'. I like 'Twilight' too. Have you heard about this book before?

I often go to the seaside with my family in the summer. In winter I like to go to mountains to ski.

Well, I think it's everything what you need to know about me for now.

Lots of love

Ronnee :)

Kuba

Hello,
I'm 15 years old and I'm from Szamotuły in the west of Poland. I have short blonde hair and blue eyes. I have a dog. Its name's Fox.
I'm a student of Piotr Skarga Lower Secondary School, and I'm in Class 2A. On weekdays, I get up at 7.00 and go to school from 7.40am to 3.00pm. I love Science. I don't like sport, but I love books!
At the weekends I play computer games or I read adventure books. On Suturday I sometimes go to a computer cafe with my friends. On Sunday I always go to the park with my dog. On holiday I often go to the seaside or I go to the mountains.
My favourite film is Lord of the Rings. I like pop music. I love pizza and chips.
Please write and tell me about you and your life.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Kuba

Alicja

Dear Friends,
I'm Alicja and I'm 15 years old.
I live with my parents and my younger sister in a small house in Szamotuły.Szamotuły is a small city in the west of Poland.
I have long brown hair and brown eyes, I'm a very short and thin person.
I go to a lower-secondary school near my home.On weekdays I get up at 7.00 and my first lesson starts at 7.40.My favourite subjects are Polish and Science.I like school because I can meet my friends there.
My favorite sport is running.I often go to the gym.At weekends I meet with my friends , go to Poznań or go to the swimming pool, I sometimes hang around the town with my friends.
My favourite films are "Revolutionary Road" and "The Curious Case ofBenjamin Button".My favourite bands are U2 , Coldplay and Green day.My favourite songs are "Clocks', "One".My favourite actors are Monica Bellucci,Angelina Jolie and Collin Farrell.
In winter I always go to the mountains to a small town called Bukowina Tatrzańska and there I go skiing.
I hope to hear from you soon
Take care
Alicja

Violetta

Hello,
My name is Viola and I'm 15 years old. I live in Szamotuły in the west of Poland. It's a great place to live.
I have dark hair and brown eyes.
My hobbies are volleyball, painting and listening to music. I like hip-hop and rock a little. I love sweets and I like strawberries because they are rather nice (but I'm not fat :)).
I have quite a small family. My sister (Daria) is 16. She is interested in sports too. My mom is a good cook. I like her dinners (who wouldn't like meat by mom?). And my dad, yes, he plays tennis.
I'm a student of Piotr Skarga Lower Secondary School. On weekdays, I get up at 7am and go to school from 8am to 3pm. My favourite subjects are art, PE or maths. Anyway, I don't like school, oh, maybe sometimes.
At weekends I go to the cinema with my parents or my friends, I go shopping. 'The dreamer' is my favourite movie because this film makes me cry. I have never watched a better film. I took up skiing when I was 6 years old, every winter I go to the mountains. In the summer I often go to the seaside. That's great! Do I have do tell you all details? For the time being, I'll leave the rest to your imagination. Please tell me something about you and your life...
I hope to hear from you.
Viola

Maciej

Hello everyone,
my name is Maciej, I am 14 (almost 15) years old and I come from Poland. I live in a small town - Szamotuły in central-western Poland.
My hobbies are: motocross and go-karts.
I was born on 13th May 1995. I have an elder sister, her name is Hania. She is in high-school and she is 17.
I like comedies and horrors. I love experiments- my sister says that I’m a pyromaniac… but I don’t think so!
I’m looking forward to hearing from you
take care
Maciej