The Oplatek is a thin unleavened wafer similar to communion wafers. In Poland oplatki are made in a shape of large rectangles which are embossed with pictures of Christ Child, Nativity scenes, etc. In Australia oplatki are quite small and embossing is poor.

The ancient tradition of oplatek sharing on Wigilia originated and was established only in Poland. It was adopted in Litva (Lithuania) which formed part of the Polish Commonwealth and where the Rymaszewski clan lived. The custom was partly introduced also in Czechoslovakia. It is single most important item in Polish Christmas festivities.

Oplatek is used not only by native Poles in Poland but also by people of Polish ancestry all over the world. See Xmas wishes from David Rymaszewski's family, the third and fourth generation Polish-Americans (Chapter 15: Emails from visitors to Site — email 004, dated 20 Dec 2002).

The braking and sharing of oplatek is accompanied by kisses, embraces and the exchange of best wishes, personalized to fit the individual hopes and needs of each person present, e.g. I wish you much health, happiness, fulfillment of all your plans, and everything you wish for yourself. Children are often wished that they get good grades and grow up to be their parents' pride and joy.

Oplatek is often sent with a greeting card to family members away from home. During our early years in Australia, my brother Zbigniew and my aunty Emilia in Poland used to send oplatek to us in Australia for Christmas, which we used on Wigilia night when the children were young and we couldn't get the oplatek in any other way.

More about Polish Christmas traditions on the website:
www.rymaszewski.iinet.net.au