In Poland, Christmas Eve is called Wigilia — one of the most important and beautiful traditions of the year. The tradition includes decorating the Christmas tree and having a family supper. The Christmas tree is decorated on Christmas Eve morning (24 December). It often include:
⭐ Glass baubles (hand-painted)
⭐ Straw ornaments — symbolizing the Nativity
⭐ Paper chains made by children
⭐ Gingerbread cookies
⭐ Candies wrapped in colorful foil
⭐ Handmade ornaments
⭐ Lights (formerly candles, now electric)
⭐ Tinsel or angel hair
⭐ A star or angel on top
The evergreen tree symbolizes life and hope. The star at the top symbolizes guidance and light. Straw decorations remind people of the stable in Bethlehem. The Christmas tree stays until Epiphany (January 6).
Christmas Eve supper starts at the appearance of the first star in the sky, symbolizing the Star of Bethlehem.
⭐ Breaking the opłatek
Before anyone eats, the family shares a thin wafer (opłatek), exchanging wishes for health, peace, and prosperity. This is considered the most meaningful moment of the evening.
⭐ An extra seat
A place is often set for an unexpected guest — a symbol of hospitality and remembrance of absent loved ones.
⭐ Many families place a bit of hay under the tablecloth to remember the humble birthplace of Jesus.
⭐ Meatless, symbolic dishes
Wigilia always features 12 meatless dishes, representing the apostles or the months of the year. Common dishes include:
⭐ Barszcz (clear beetroot soup) with tiny mushroom-filled dumplings
⭐ Zupa grzybowa (forest mushroom soup).
⭐ Carp – fried breaded fillets or in jelly.
⭐ Herring – with onion, with cream and apple, in oil with spices
⭐ Pierogi (dumplings with cabbage and mushrooms)
⭐ Gołąbki (cabbage rolls stuffed with groats and mushrooms).
⭐ Kapusta z grochem (cabbage with split peas).
⭐ Bigos (a meatless version of bigos, often with mushrooms and dried plums).
⭐ Kutia (wheat, poppy seeds, honey, nuts, and dried fruits)
⭐ Makowiec (poppyseed roll — the most iconic Polish Christmas dessert).
⭐ Piernik (honey-spice gingerbread, often baked days in advance).
⭐ Kompot (dried fruit compote — smoky, sweet, and deeply associated with Wigilia).
After supper, families often sing kolędy (carols). Later, many attend Pasterka, the midnight Mass.