The tradition of Christmas tree in Poland is relatively new and dates back to 19th century. Like many other countries Poland owes it to Germans, who begun the tradition of decorating their trees. In Polish homes the tree is decorated on the Christmas Eve morning, not like in many countries, at the beginning of Advent.
This tradition varies a bit, though, depending on especially one factor: how keen are the children who usually do it - the keener they are, the earlier it will be done.
On that very day, the tree, which is either bought on the market and is a natural tree or is brought from the attic or storage and is decorated by the whole family or by kids themselves if they are old enough to do it safely with a bit of parents’ supervision. The first layer are lights, which come in all different shapes and sizes, from candle-like and mushroom-like, to chains of tiny balls, changing colours, flashing or just plain white.

The variety of glass baubles and other decorations can really cause a headache. Not only because the choice in shops is definitely spoiling - Polish glass baubles are well known for being the most beautiful ones. If you, on top of the new ones you have just bought, add the old ones plus the ones from your friends and family, the tree can look amazing. Our Christmas tree are decorated with something new every year, nearly the whole collection of what we managed to get during last couple of years including the baubles which Mum took from her parents' home and what Dad took from his... Altogether, the tree itself always looks beautiful and never the same. Do not believe in supermarket charm of ready-to-go Christmas trees. One of the best parts of Christmas is getting the tree ready.
On top of the tree Poles usually put a glass star to remind about the star which led the Kings to Bethlehem. The last bits are chains made of silver foil, sometimes still home-made from straw and beads (especially in the countryside), or so called angelic hair which is silver, golden or white and very difficult to hoover from the carpet.
When this is all done, the tree is placed in a well visible place and the family can go back to Christmas Eve meal preparations. The presents for everyone are usually placed under the tree but that varies from region to region and from family to family. In Poznań for example, gifts are brought by Gwiazdor. Presents are opened after the Christmas Eve meal or before the dessert if kids are around.
The life of the tree lasts till 6th January - the day when the Three Kings arrived to Bethlehem, but in some homes it is kept much longer, sometimes even till the end of the carnival. After that artificial tree goes back to the attic, natural one, if it has roots, will be waiting on the balcony till spring to be grown again.
Enjoy decorating your tree this Christmas!
Justyna Zielinska