Name days (imieniny) in Poland are very special occasions and are more important than Birthdays.

It is traditional to call and wish the person Wszystkiego Najlepszego. It is also traditional to give a small gift. The gifts (prezenty) typically are roses or other flowers (kwiaty) and small gifts of candy, glass vases (szklane wazy) and crystal (kryształy) or jewelry (biżuteria). Roses (róże) are actually the most popular (popularne).

The Name Day has its history in the Polish tradition of naming children after Saints. The importance of the Saints and their Feast Days (the date that the Saint was canonized) resulted in many parents looking to the local priest or to the Roman calendar to name their children. They typically chose the name of a Saint that had a Feast Day close to the birth or baptismal date of their child.

Originally the day was for honoring one’s patron saint. But in modern times it is generally a time for parties and gift giving. But it still retains its importance. You should never forget a Name Day. And never forget a gift. A gift, however small, is appropriate.

Name days in Poland are generally associated with people of the Roman Catholic faith. But the name day celebration is so popular that it is common for Polish people to celebrate the name days of those who are not Roman Catholic.

On each day of the year the Roman Catholic Church celebrates a saint. The names of the Saints are listed on the calendars in Poland.

Name day celebrations can be very simple and they can be the reason for very large family gatherings and parties.

It is the name day celebrant who is expected to put out food, cookies and drink and to invite people to the name day party. In offices the celebrations are generally rather simple. But when families gather, the name day celebration turns into a major family dinner at which the person honored is the host or hostess.

In the offices in Poland people remember name days by gathering together and purchasing a small gift or flowers to be given to the name day celebrant. Of course, name days are recognized by many by simple individual gifts of flowers or candy individually delivered or delivered by courier or mail.

The name day is so important in Poland that work calendars and wall calendars generally show the name days. The name days are posted on Internet web sites, listed on television news programs and weather forecasts.

You just do not miss a person’s name day. You may miss their birthday without embarrassment but if you miss their name day you will have committed an embarrassing social error.

Because it is not always possible to visit a person on their name day or to visit all the people that you know are celebrating their name day on the same day, it is acceptable and common call that person and wish them all the best.

If you have a very popular name, like Katarzyna or Jan, your name appears in the calendar few times. In that case people usually choose the closest one after your birthday. Sometimes your name day and birthday is on the same day…and that’s no fun! It’s always good to have couple of days to celebrate during the year, right?

Speaking of name days, I hope you will like this song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y0rBiu_q2Q

If you would like to check when is your name day (unfortunately not too many American names are listed) you can take a look at this website:

http://www.namedaycalendar.com/poland/january

Do następnego razu! (Till next time…)