Give your Christmas a bit of Polish

Polish Carp for Christmas

Just Recruitment’s payroll team explain how Christmas is celebrated in their home country of Poland

It is easy to think that the Christmas traditions many of us enjoy in the UK are the same the world over. But when you work alongside people who hail from other countries, you soon learn about the diversity of practice when it comes to celebrating the festive season.

    We spend Christmas Eve preparing traditional food, including piernik, which are gingerbreads. No food is eaten until the first star is seen in the sky,...  

At Just Recruitment, the payroll team of Anita Switon and Jola Jaworska have been teaching their colleagues about Christmas in their native Poland. They know the season as Boże Narodzenie, and it’s just as full of traditions and customs as a British Christmas. They outline its main elements below.

Advent: “Advent is the time when people give up their favourite food and drinks in preparation for Christmas,’ explains Anita. “The season begins with a special mass called Roraty. This is held at dawn on 1 December and dedicated to the Virgin Mary for receiving the news of her pregnancy from the Angel Gabriel.”

Christmas Eve: “We call Christmas Eve Wigilia,” says Jola. “According to tradition, Poles clean their houses in the morning and decorate the Christmas tree. This is usually finished with a star on the top, gingerbreads, lights and baubles. We spend the day preparing traditional food, including piernik, which are gingerbreads. No food is eaten until the first star is seen in the sky, representing the Star of Bethlehem that hung over the stable where Christ was born. Children spend a lot of the afternoon looking out for that star!”

“Families gather for Christmas Eve dinner,” continues Anita. “They wear their finest festive clothes and share a Christmas wafer known as an oplatek. We make Christmas wishes while eating it, then just before dinner we read the Bible and pray together.

A collage of Polish Christmas Food“According to tradition, a bit of hay is left under each plate on the table to remind us that Christ was born in a manger. We also leave an empty place at the table for any unexpected guest. It’s our belief that no one should be alone on this special night.”

Jola picks up: “Tradition has it that there are 12 dishes on the table to symbolise the 12 Apostles. Each person is expected to try a bit of each dish: it’s thought to bring you luck for the coming year.

“The Christmas Eve supper beings with barszcz (beetroot soup) or mushroom soup served with small mushroom-filled dumplings called uszka (“little ears”). The main dish is carp, which is fried, jellied or baked. Its scales are thought to bring good fortune, so guests scrape them off and put them in their wallets.

“Various other fish dishes are served hot or cold. These include herrings in a cream sauce, fried fish covered in vegetables (called “Greek fish”) or with raisins (“Judish fish”). The meal will also feature pierogi: dumplings filled with mushrooms, pickled cabbage, or cottage cheese and potatoes. They are served with fried onions.”

    Because Poland’s borders have changed through the years, different parts of the country use different names for Santa:...  

“We also have a traditional Christmas drink,” Anita adds. “It is called kompot z suszu and is made of dried fruit and fresh apples. Meanwhile, for pudding, we have kutia, made with dried fruit and pasta, makowiec, which is a roll made of poppy seeds, and gingerbreads that have been decorated by children. We also enjoy cheesecake – a very traditional dish in Poland.

“While the dinner ensues, guests listen to kolędy – Christmas carols. We usually start to sing along after the meal, at which point it’s customary to share presents. This is different from England, I think, where you open presents on Christmas Day.

“For a Polish Christmas, one of the dinner guests dresses up as Santa Claus and distributes the presents. Because Poland’s borders have changed through the years, different parts of the country use different names for Santa: Dziadek Mroz (“Jack Frost”) is used in the east, and Gwiazdor (“the Starman”) is used in the west and north of the country. If a child has been naughty, Gwiazdor may not bring presents, but give them a birch rod, known as rózga, instead.”

“At the end of the Christmas Eve festivities, most families head to church for Midnight Mass, called Pasterka,” says Jola. “Then it’s off to bed, before spending Christmas Day and Boxing Day in a much quieter way – usually visiting family or friends.”

So there you have it: it is clear from Jola and Anita that the perfect Polish Christmas is very different from that of your average Briton. But both share key elements, including a celebration of the religious aspect of the festival, a tradition-filled meal with friends and family, the giving and receiving of presents, and lots of singing and laughter.

Which just leaves us with one thing to say: have a very happy Christmas, wherever you’re celebrating!

 

© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2020

Published: 11 December 2020

If you enjoyed this article, you may like: 1647. A year when Christmas was banned, lemons were sucked, and Father Christmas was born.

You may also enjoy: Silent Night - the Christmas song with UNESCO special status

 

Jobs currently available

Forklift Driver - Counterbalance (10am - 8pm)
Sector: Transport, Logistics and Shipping
Location: Earls Colne
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC5
About the role

Just Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a transport and logistics business in Earls Colne with the recruitment of a Forklift Driver, due to increased workload.

This is a permanent opportunity!

To be considered for this role, you must have a Counterbalance licence that is valid and up-to-date — previous experience operating these trucks is required.

This is a busy and varied role where you could be working in the yard, moving goods, stock checking, or loading and unloading trucks throughout the day.

This is a great company to be part of — offering further progression and development.

Hours: 10am to 8pm.

Overtime is also available (subject to business requirements).

Free parking is available on site, as well as further company benefits.

Please note that, due to the company’s location, you must have access to your own transport.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Forklift Driver - Bendi (8am - 6pm)
Sector: Transport, Logistics and Shipping
Location: Earls Colne, Essex
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JC4
About the role

Just Recruitment is delighted to be supporting a transport and logistics business in Earls Colne with the recruitment of a Forklift Driver, due to increased workload.

This is a permanent opportunity!

To be considered for this role, you must have a Bendi/Flexi licence that is valid and in date — previous experience operating these trucks is required.

This is a busy and varied role where you could be working in the yard, moving goods, stock checking, or loading and unloading trucks throughout the day.

This is a great company to be part of — offering further progression and development.

Hours: 8am to 6pm.

Overtime is also available (subject to business requirements).

Free parking is available on site, as well as further company benefits.

Please note that, due to the company’s location, you must have access to your own transport.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Counterbalance FLT Drivers
Sector: Production and Stock Control
Salary: £13.50 per hour
Location: Hadleigh, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary
Job ref: JT-HAD-FD-0825
About the role

Just Temps seeks reliable and hardworking Counterbalance FLT Drivers for a hands-on role in a fast-paced environment, within a well-established food manufacturing company, based in Hadleigh, Suffolk.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Heavy lifting – regularly handling up to 50kg
  • Ripping and tipping of raw materials
  • Maintaining a clean and safe working environment
  • Working in a dusty environment with appropriate PPE
  • Supporting general production and manufacturing tasks

Role requirements include:

  • Comfortable with heavy lifting on a continuous basis
  • Previous experience in a factory setting is desirable
  • Good attention to detail and strong work ethic
  • Reliable and punctual

What’s on offer:

  • Competitive hourly rate
  • Consistent Monday to Friday hours
  • Long-term opportunity with a reputable local employer

If you're ready to roll up your sleeves and get stuck into a vital role in the food production industry, we want to hear from you.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. 
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Secretary/Office Support Administrator
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Location: Sudbury
Role: Part Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JRG0102015
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a well-regarded and long-standing business based in Sudbury to recruit a Secretary/Office Support Administrator.

This role is available on a part-time basis for a minimum of 20 hours per week – those hours must include Wednesdays and Fridays.

Key duties include:

  • Supporting the Director with diary management, correspondence, minute-taking, audio typing of various documents and travel arrangements
  • Managing office admin, including filing
  • Answering the phone and handling queries in a confident and professional manner
  • Meeting and greeting visitors to the office in a friendly manner
  • Maintaining and updating the company database
  • Producing reports and other documents as required
  • Assisting other secretaries and receptionists as needed
  • Attending meetings and ensuring accurate documentation
  • Upholding company policies and contributing to a flexible, team-oriented environment

What you'll need to succeed:

  • Previous experience in an administration/secretary-based role
  • Audio typing experience
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Highly organised with the ability to manage your own time effectively, meeting any deadlines set
  • Computer literate with proficiency in Excel, Word and database packages
  • Ability to work well under pressure
  • High levels of accuracy with good attention to detail

This is an excellent opportunity to join a local business in an exciting period of growth. This role is being offered on a permanent, office-based basis.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Accounts Assistant
Sector: Accountancy, Banking and Finance
Salary: £27,000 - £30,000 per annum
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: JRG92025
About the role

Just Recruitment has an exciting opportunity for an Accounts Assistant to join a company based in Sudbury.

You will be responsible for supporting the Finance Department and Senior Management in all areas of finance and accounting.

Duties include:

  • Updating invoice details and dates using Excel
  • Updating and adding items to sales orders
  • Raising and updating invoices on Sage
  • Sending copies of invoices to customers
  • Supplying supporting documentation as required
  • Processing and completing purchase orders, including updating Sage and forwarding to the customer
  • Updating the relevant spreadsheets on completion of purchase orders
  • Assisting with customer queries incoming to the Finance Department
  • Forwarding documents such as contracts, calibration certificates, etc, as required
  • Answering all invoice queries
  • Supplying contract details and breakdowns to support invoice charges, etc.
  • Management of Credit Control
  • Emailing/posting statements
  • Chasing/requesting payment
  • Answering customer queries regarding invoices
  • Generating and forwarding outstanding invoice reports

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.30pm.

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more