Home » Christmas » Christmas in Poland Christmas in Poland   Explore the varied landscape, bask under the hot sun in the sandy beaches or simply stroll down the alleys of the picture perfect villages. Whatever you do, wherever you go, Poland would enthrall you with every step and if you are planning to come down during Christmas to Poland your treats are likely to get doubled. Christmas in Poland would turn out to be a memorable experience for you to cherish for many years to come. In Poland Christmas is officially referred to as Bozz Narodzenie or sometimes as Gwiazdka, which means, "Little star." Christmas celebrations formally commence on the Christmas Eve when the elaborate tradition called Wigilia is observed. In honor of the star of Bethlehem, people fast for 24 hours, until the first star of the night appears and then the grand feast follows. A special rice wafer blessed by the parish priest called oplatek, is broken into pieces and shared by all the members of the family and immediate neighbors, an age old practice which stressed on fellow feeling and companionship. The traditional Christmas dinner constitutes of 12 vegetarian courses (representing 12 Apostles) like mushroom soup, carp, cabbage with pea, stuffed dumplings, shells macaroni with poppy "makielki". In some households the table is laid with one extra seat for a Holy Spirit and hay is placed under the tablecloth reminiscing Christ’s birth in the manger. Celebrations start right from the Advent and making of Christmas decorations forms an important part. Pajaki the traditional decorations entails making of spiders, stars, decorated eggshells and things of the like. Christmas trees are embellished with shiny apples, gift walnuts, beautifully wrapped chocolate shapes while the Gwiadorze or star carriers sing carols, recite verses and perform ‘Szopke" traditional plays depicting the birth of Christ. For more details on Christmas in Poland log on to our site 123Christians.