Christmas is getting closer and although there is certainly no shortage of things to prepare for, it is worth stopping for a moment and reflecting on Polish holiday traditions. Many of them, despite their beauty and magic, have almost completely disappeared into oblivion. This is the case, among others, with this Christmas decoration that once decorated every home. What is podłaźniczka?
For many people, podłaźniczka is a completely abstract word that, apart from its intriguing name, means nothing. In fact, this traditional Christmas decorationwhich was also called jutką, garden of paradise or God’s tree. In Poland, before the tradition of the Christmas tree came from Alsace, the Christmas tree was the leader as a common Christmas decoration.
Most often it was the top of a coniferous tree — which was hung with the tip down from the ceiling. Podłaźniczka was also made from cut branches of coniferous trees. According to Polish Christmas traditions it was hung in the house to ensure health, prosperity and protection against evil.
Podłaźniczka was richly decorated, and its decorations were the precursor of today’s Christmas tree decorations. The most popular items were apples, cookies, nuts and gingerbread. The whole was complemented by colorful accents, such as colorful ribbons or tissue paper products. The so-called worlds, i.e. wafer discs, were also an important element hung on the podłaźniczka in different colors.
The suspended colors were not accidental, because red was a symbol of life and family love, green was associated with hope, yellow was a sign of light and radiance, and white was the color of purity. The place where the podłaźniki most often hung was also not accidental. It hung above the Christmas Eve table, giving joy and prosperity to all household members.
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Podłaźniczka is the predecessor of the Christmas tree, which was present in Poland until the 1920s. Unfortunately, with the appearance of new Christmas decorations, it was completely forgotten. As it becomes more and more popular return to old traditions and interest in handicrafts, here and there the craftsman comes back to the salons.
You can easily make it yourself at home, introducing a unique atmosphere and prosperity to the space. All you need to do is prepare the top of a small coniferous tree or a few coniferous branches, colorful tissue paper and various natural Christmas decorations, such as dried oranges, gingerbread and nuts. You also need a string for hanging.
To make your own podłaździerka, turn the top upside down and attach a string to it. Hanging any decorations is a matter of your own creativity and imagination. Nothing stops you from adding a bit of modern character to this traditional decoration by adding baubles or lights. The only thing left to do is hang the decorated floor lamp from the ceiling. If you want to stick to Polish holiday traditions, it is best to find a place for it above the Christmas Eve table.
Interestingly, the podłaźniczka is coming back into favor so much that It can be increasingly found and purchased at Christmas markets and handicraft shops. Traditional Christmas decorations and folk traditions are becoming more and more popular, which is reflected in their greater availability.
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