Gwiazdka, literally meaning “little star” in Polish, refers to Christmas and is considered the most significant family celebration in Polish culture. The term evokes the Star of Bethlehem, symbolizing hope and divine guidance, and the entire Gwiazdka celebration centers on the Christmas Eve supper called Wigilia, which is often more elaborate and important than Christmas Day itself. Families gather for a meatless twelve-course meal reflecting the twelve apostles, each dish carrying symbolic meaning.
The Gwiazdka tradition emphasizes the Christmas Eve vigil’s spiritual importance—before the first star appears in the sky, families abstain from meat and dairy. Traditional foods include barszcz (beet soup), mushroom pierogi, cabbage and mushroom soup, herring, vegetables, and kutab (a sweet grain dish). Sharing opłatek, a thin wafer with images of the nativity scene, is central to the meal, with family members breaking pieces to exchange wishes and forgiveness.
Gwiazdka represents the heart of Polish family life and cultural continuity. Polish Americans across the country, including the Bay Area, maintain elaborate Gwiazdka celebrations that serve as anchors for family identity and Polish heritage preservation. Many communities gather in parishes and cultural centers for collective celebrations, allowing multiple families to participate in shared Wigilia. For generations of Polish Americans, Gwiazdka embodies cultural identity, spiritual devotion, and the centrality of family bonds in Polish tradition.