Poland

When the first star appears on Christmas Eve, Polish families gather to end the holiday fast. First, the head of the household breaks an oplatek, a thin large round wafer, which each person and exhanges wishes for happiness and health. The priest blesses these wheat-flour wafers, which are peculiar to Christmas. They are baked in cast-iron molds and stamped with pictures of the Nativity. Friends and relatives often buy oplatki and enclose them in letters to absent relatives and friends. In rural areas peasants divide the wafers among their cattle, horses ad sheep so that animals, too, may share the blessings of Christmas.

The Wigilia, or Christmas Eve supper, is a delightful occasion. The linen feast cloth looks lumpy in spots because a little hay has been tucked under it here and there as a reminder that Jesus was born in a manger. In some homes there is an extra place at the table, for any stranger who may knock at the door.

Supper itself is a wonderful meal. There are thirteen courses, in memory of Christ and the Twelve Apostles. Usually there is almond or beetroot soup served with mushroom patties. There are many kinds of fish, a poppy-seed paste, and for dessert wheat or rice with honey sauce.

To end the meal, there are dozens and dozens of small honey or seed cakes and more preserves and confections than anyone can count.

The Christmas tree usually stands in a room by itself. There are colored candles and decorations of nuts, apples and all kinds of homeade ornaments. Often the most charming decorations are made from eggshells, blown out at either end and suspended from the branches of threads.