On Christmas Eve, Polish families gather for a very special holiday supper that goes beyond the standard Christmas celebration. Once the first star appears in the sky, the feast begins and continues well into the night, often ending with a midnight mass.

“All the kids stand outside waiting for the first star, and when they see it, they run inside to open their presents,” says senior Ben Greenspan. Other than opening presents, there are many traditions that aren’t well known. Among Greenspan’s favorites are the breaking of the Christmas wafer and the toast to the coming year.

On Wigilia, there is no meat consumed other than fish, and the meal consists of a wide variety of Polish dishes such as freshman Rachel Zmuda’s favorite dish: crab dip. This celebration may seem very similar to other Christmas dinners, but it is recognized in addition to Christmas, rather than as a replacement for it.

Another important part of Wigilia is the belief that whatever happens during the dinner is a hint at what the new year will bring. It is the beliefs, traditions, and customs that make this holiday a unique way to celebrate the season.