Short and sweet today!
One of the things about being an ex-pat who clings to my own traditions too is that each year I have a dual Christmas as the centre of Christmas celebrations in Poland is Christmas Eve.
When the first star appears in the sky Poles share Oplatek (sorry I can;t do Polish letters), a wafer usually depicting a nativity scene, and exchange wishes. Some read the nativity story from Luke's Gospel and may sing carols before tucking into a traditional supper of carp, herring, pierogi, fish soup, barszcz czerwony (beetroot soup), all accompanied by a range of salads and makowiec (poppyseed cake) among other things. It is all washed down with a smoked prune compote. Once supper is done and dusted it is down to the business of opening presents and for more traditional Poles, if they have the energy, there is Pasterka (Midnight Mass) to finish things off.
And then in our household we get to do it again tomorrow, the English way, with a whole load more presents. The boys are both privileged in that they have two Christmases every year.
As always stay safe and well my friends and merry (Polish) Christmas
