It’s officially a new year and the holiday season has come to a close. However, it’s never too early to start thinking about new traditions for next year’s Christmas and New Year’s Eve celebrations. If you’re looking for some extra luck to come your way in 2024, here are some traditions that people - including my own family - have participated in.
My grandmother grew up with parents who were immigrants from Poland. In addition to making and eating pierogies for the holidays, we also have some wacky traditions that my friends had no idea existed. On Christmas Eve, we begin with a piece of Oplatek, which is what Catholic areas of Poland call a Christmas wafer. In my family, the oldest person gets the biggest piece and it’s devoured with honey drizzled on top - to signify a “sweet” new year. Before eating, the person is supposed to recite a wish for the new year. Then, family and friends eat their own piece based on age order.
