Every Christmas Eve, our family gathers together for one of our favorite traditions
Before dinner is planned or recipes are chosen, we pull out a simple jar filled with slips of paper. Each one has the name of a country written on it.
One country. One night. One chance to step into someone else’s traditions.
What started as a fun holiday idea has grown into something much bigger for our family. It’s a way to slow down, learn together, and show our girls that the world is beautifully diverse.
Last year, our Christmas Eve journey took us to Japan. This year, the jar chose Poland.
Last Year: Discovering Christmas in Japan Together
When we drew Japan last Christmas Eve, the girls were instantly curious. Christmas in Japan looks very different from what they were used to.
They learned that Christmas there isn’t traditionally religious and that one of the most well-known modern traditions is enjoying KFC for Christmas dinner. What started as a marketing campaign decades ago became a nationwide holiday ritual.
Together, we talked about how traditions can change over time and how culture is shaped by creativity and community.
Japanese Christmas traditions we learned about included:
- Pre-ordering fried chicken weeks in advance
- Celebrating Christmas as a joyful, festive night out
- Strawberry shortcake as a holiday dessert
- Beautiful city lights and decorations
For the girls, it was eye-opening. They realized that there isn’t just one “right” way to celebrate Christmas. Joy, family, and togetherness show up in different forms around the world.
This Year: Honoring Polish Christmas Traditions as a Family
This Christmas Eve, the jar led us to Poland, a country rich in history, faith, and deeply rooted holiday traditions.
As a family, we learned about Wigilia, the Polish Christmas Eve supper, which begins when the first star appears in the sky. We talked about why families share opłatek, offering forgiveness and good wishes before the meal begins.
The girls were especially touched by the idea of leaving an extra place setting at the table for an unexpected guest, a tradition that represents kindness, hospitality, and remembering those who may be alone.
Traditional Polish Christmas Eve foods we explored included:
- Barszcz (beet soup)
- Pierogi
- Fish dishes
- Mushroom-based meals
- Poppy seed desserts
Polish Christmas taught them that traditions can be quiet, meaningful, and symbolic. That food can carry history. That a meal can tell a story about values like gratitude, reflection, and family.
Why This Tradition Matters for Our Girls
This tradition isn’t just about food. It’s about teaching our girls the importance of culture, respect, and curiosity.
When they learn how other families celebrate:
- They learn empathy
- They understand that traditions come from history and belief
- They see that differences aren’t strange, they’re beautiful
- They grow more open-minded and aware of the world around them
Cooking from different cultures turns learning into something tangible. Recipes become lessons. Cookbooks become windows into other lives. And the kitchen becomes a place where conversations about the world happen naturally.
Teaching Culture Through Family Traditions
In our home, Christmas Eve isn’t just about what’s on the table. It’s about who we’re becoming as a family.
By celebrating Japan last year and Poland this year, the girls are learning that culture matters. That understanding others makes us kinder. That the world is bigger than our own traditions.
This simple jar has become one of the most meaningful parts of our holiday season.
A Tradition We’ll Continue for Years to Come
Each year, we’ll keep adding countries, recipes, and stories to our family’s Christmas Eve tradition.
We’re building more than a holiday meal. We’re building memories. We’re raising girls who understand that the world is rich with culture, history, and traditions worth honoring.
And every Christmas Eve, when we pull that next slip of paper from the jar, we’ll be reminded that the greatest gift we can give our children is perspective.
