With kids out of school and parents off work, the holidays are usually filled with family, friends…and baking! After a repeat of last year’s pumpkin pie party, we decided to share recipes for some other American goodies. In preparation for our annual Christmas party, we had 5 baking events where we shared stories, laughs, recipes and of course, did some taste-testing. During the 5 evenings, we made the following:

Evening 1: Pumpkin pies
Evening 2: pecan sandies, ginger cookies, snowballs (Russian tea cakes)
Evening 3: buckeye candies, frozen fruit cups, chocolate covered pretzels
Evening 4 and 5: carrot, zucchini, pumpkin breads

Along with a number of other delicious foods, the Dec 16th Christmas party was a success. 60 people came for the festivities, which was almost double from last year’s 35 attendees. The evening, filled with fun, great food and great conversation was one to remember. Some of the cookies and breads lasted us through Christmas and were enjoyed during our Christmas Eve celebration.

In Poland, tradition holds that the main celebration and family gathering is called Wigelia, held on Christmas Eve. Twelve dishes are served, without meat, and an extra place setting for anyone who may be traveling by or who doesn’t have a place to go. Gifts are opened during the evening. The following day (25th) is reserved for extended family and the second day of Christmas (26th) for friends. Our team decided to enjoy Wigelia together this past year and reserve Christmas day to talk with family. The rest of the holidays were spent with friends — even into the New Year.

At our New Years Eve party, we had 14 people. Although the same number as last year, it was almost a completely different crowd. We played games and at midnight, shot off fireworks like the rest of Warsaw while we watched the sky glow with colors in almost any direction we looked.