What are the typical Polish Christmas dishes? On St. Nicholas Day, where does the Polish Santa hide your presents? Find out in the second instalment of our Christmas dictionary!

In Polish, the term Jasełka means "nativity play." Children generally perform nativity plays in schools or churches. A nativity scene, on the other hand, is referred to as Szopka.

Karp - Surprisingly, carps are one of Poland's most "festive" creatures. On Christmas Eve, the majority of Poles abstain from meat (save for fish) and alcohol. Nowadays, Christmas fasting has less to do with the Catholic faith and more to do with an old Polish habit (a no-meat Christmas Eve is no longer required by the Church). As a result, carp is regarded as one of the most essential Christmas dishes in Poland.

Kompot is a hot beverage made from dried fruit and spices that is served on Christmas Eve. Prunes, apples, pears, cinnamon, anise, and cloves are common components.

Last Christmas - Poles love traditional carols, but if there is one song on repeat on the radio during Christmas, it has to be Wham's seasonal smash.

Mikoaj/Mikoajki - In Poland, Santa Claus is known as Wity Mikoaj (Saint Nicholas) or simply - Mikoaj. On Saint Nicholas Day (named Mikoajki), which is celebrated on December 6, you can find some small gifts from him in your... shoes.

Name day - If you've lived in Poland for any length of time, you'll know that name day is almost as important as birthdays. The 24th of December is Adam and Ewa's name day, so if you have any friends with these names, remember to offer them your best wishes on Christmas Eve!

Opatek - wafer-sharing is Poland's most unique and essential Christmas ritual. At the start of the Christmas Eve lunch, everyone at the table breaks off small pieces of the wafer (called opatek) and exchanges their wishes. There can be no Christmas without opatek for a Pole.

Pasterka is a traditional Midnight Mass service celebrated on the night of December 24/25. Its name alludes to the biblical shepherds (Polish: pasterze) who rushed to Bethlehem in the middle of the night to see the newly born baby Jesus.