by Staś Kmieć
reprinted from the November 2017 issue of
The Polish American Journal
The Polish American Journal
* Click on link (in red) to direct you to online shopping pages
It should be easy
to select a gift for me for Christmas, a birthday, or any other occasion – find
something Polish! But, I guess not so easy is what to get? I have
acquired so many books, CDs, DVDs and artifacts over the years and many travels
that one may not want to risk getting something I already have. When I
receive something Polish, I am overjoyed.
These days, there
is so much out there to choose from, and lots of stuff to pass over like
pierogi sealers, and pseudo-Polish cookbooks by non-Poles or culinary experts
intent on modernizing the ingredients of treasured classics.
I will often
purchase a coffee table book, like Beata Zatorska’s Rose Petal Jam: A
Summer in Poland or the follow-up Sugared Orange: A Winter in
Poland for a family member or someone whose interests appreciate
Polish themes. These books go beyond the norm and in addition to great recipes,
provide thoughtful and thought-provoking stories, history and information, with
an artistic layout of photographic images.
For me, if it’s
Polish, it needs to be unique and ring true to the culture. I have been
compiling an extensive “wish list” of items from Poland and from American
import websites of “My Favorite Things.” Though it is rare for me to receive a
Polish gift, from this list I can at least buy gifts for myself.
The Polish
American Journal On-Line Gift and Bookstore offers
an array of items to enable you to shop Polish for Christmas. To ensure
timely delivery, make sure to order early!
Any item in the
PolArt catalog www.polandbymail.com is
available directly from PAJ, as well. You can check the website and order these
items by contacting: info@polamjournal.com or call 1(800) 422-1275.
Dolls and
Action Figures
An assortment of
folk costumed dolls and historical action figures will instill a sense of
Polish pride and knowledge to any boy or girl.
Among the many doll collectibles, a newer item drew my attention. The Polskie Stroje Ludowe (Polish Folk Costumes) series of dolls is an extraordinary guide in the Polish language to the traditions of specific regions. The detailed porcelain doll comes with an informative booklet of folk rituals, habits of everyday life, forgotten dances, open-air museums, and a description of the costume. Available are Podhalanka from Polish Highlands, Bamberka from Poznań, and Krzczonowianka from Lublin region. www.polandbymail.com/s/1/c_polskie%2bstroje%2bludowe.htm
As the
accompaniment to a gift of a historical novel such as Henryk Sienkiewicz’s 17th
century Trilogy, or Alex Storozynski’s The Peasant Prince, you could include a
military action figure of Tadeusz Kościuszko, a Polish Hussar from 17th
Century, King Władysław Jagiełło, an 1810 Wisła Legion Lancer, a 1944 AK
Soldier, Marshall Józef Piłsudski or the literary characters of Michał
Wołodyjowski and nobleman Onufry Zagłoba. (www.polandbymail.com/s/1/c_action%2bfigure.htm)
Coloring
Books
A Polish dance
coloring book for children which is formatted with music and verses on the
left-hand pages and a sketch of a dance couple ready for coloring on the
right-hand pages. The back of the book has corresponding dance moves for
Chodzony, Polonez, Mazur, Krakowiak, Kujawiak, Oberek, Trojak, and Polka
Lubelska clearly diagrammed for each song. (www.polandbymail.com/s/1/c_coloring%2bbooks.htm)
Polskie Stroje
Ludowe - Traditional Polish Costumes
Kolorowanki
Folkowa - Coloring Book of Polish Folk Designs
For the adult who
wants to unwind and relax after the pressures of a grueling day at work comes
this Polish-themed coloring book. Ideal for older students (12-14 years)
the book is folk tour around Poland – beginning with nine of the most
well-known folk costumes and then takes you to six Polish folk regions,
featuring art and artifacts from each region. Color the Lublin Easter pisanki,
the Kujawy chest, the Kraków szopka and Opole ceramics. (www.polartcenter.com/Kolorowanki_Folkowa_Coloring_Polish_Folk_Designs_p/9823638.htm)
Board Games
Slawni Polacy -
Famous Poles
Odkryj Wawel - Discover Wawel
Bitwa pod Grunwaldem - Battle of Grunwald
Kocham Polske - I Love Poland
Czerwony Kapturek – Little Red Riding Hood (a children’s game) (www.polandbymail.com/s/1/c_board%2bgames.htm)
Odkryj Wawel - Discover Wawel
Bitwa pod Grunwaldem - Battle of Grunwald
Kocham Polske - I Love Poland
Czerwony Kapturek – Little Red Riding Hood (a children’s game) (www.polandbymail.com/s/1/c_board%2bgames.htm)
BOOKS
For those who
seek Polish recipes or like to settle down with a “good read,” PAJ Bookstore
offers an array of cookbooks, historical novels, cultural and history books.
Historical
Novels
Jadwiga’s Crossing. The challenges and joys of
the trans-Atlantic crossing made by millions
By James Conroyd Martin
Sweeping in scope
with a backdrop of Poland’s stormy history, James Conroyd Martin has written
four novels that will transport you to another time and another place.
The Boy Who Wanted Wings. A dark Tatar raised by a
Polish peasant family, wishes to become a Polish hussar. When he meets the
daughter of the noble who owns the land that his parents work, he falls
hopelessly in love. Though she returns his love, race and class differences
make this quest as impossible as that of becoming a hussar.
Push Not the River. Based on the real diary of a
Polish countess who lived through the rise and fall of the Third of May
Constitution years, this romantic novel paints the portrait of the
metamorphosis of a nation. 
Against a Crimson Sky In
this sequel to Push Not the River, Martin takes the characters 20 years into
the fascinating Napoleonic era, highlighting the exploits of the glorious
Polish lancers.
The Warsaw Conspiracy. Completing
the trilogy, the family saga continues – this time set against the November
Rising (1830-1831).
Each novel stands
alone, or you can get the “Trilogy Package” at an exclusive PAJ price. Vivid,
romantic, and thrillingly paced, the novels have been called “Poland’s Gone
with the Wind.”
History
PAJ’s Sophie Hodorowicz
Knab provides an important contribution to World War II history, based on
extensive research – archival records from the U.S. and Europe, family records,
war crime trial testimonies, diaries, and previously unpublished victim
accounts. Written by the daughter of Polish forced laborers, Knab’s
factual account gives a voice to the women who were taken from their homes as
young as 12 years old and subjected to slave labor conditions, starvation,
sexual exploitation, forced abortions and child separation — all while Nazi
propaganda depicted them as well-cared-for volunteers. Knab explains how it all
happened, from the beginning of occupation in Poland to liberation in an
unflinching, detailed portrait of a forgotten group of Nazi forced labor
survivors.
Cookbooks
Borrowing from
his mother’s extensive 1968 cookbook, The Art of Polish Cooking (also
available from PAJ), recipes are adapted by the husband-wife team – Laura and
Peter Zeranski into an easy-to follow format and are accentuated by tantalizing
images by photographer Bob Rock. The two cookbooks offer new recipes, as
well such favorites as Pope John Paul II’s favorite dessert – the crème cakes called
kremówki.
In this expanded
edition, PAJ’s Sophie Hodorowicz Knab offers recipes for favorite Polish foods
combined with the history and cultural traditions that created them. Arranged
according to the cycle of seasons, this cookbook with over 100 recipes explores
life in the Polish countryside through the year. I will open it to any page and
just start reading; it is a valuable resource for anyone wanting insight into
the reason and meaning behind traditional Polish village cooking, It’s
like having your Babcia in the kitchen with you!
Bolesławiec Pottery
“Bolesławiec” is
the collective term for pottery produced in Bolesławiec, Poland – also known as
“Polish pottery” or “Polish stoneware.” The town itself is often called
Miasto Ceramiki (town of ceramics).
For centuries one
of the premier art forms in Europe has been the ceramics created in the
southwestern Śląsk region. The durable and functional creamy white and blue
stoneware pieces are unique and easily identifiable. It is impossible to
talk about the town without talking about the ceramics that have been produced
there for over a thousand years. There has been a resurgence in the popularity
of Boleslawiec ceramic art in the United States, and many of my American
friends collect them.
Why Polish
pottery? There is no other, more durable or versatile stoneware available. The
pottery is microwavable, oven-safe, dishwasher safe, freezer safe, lead and
cadmium free. It’s been tested by the FDA and is food safe. The glaze on
the pottery allows for easy separation of foods – cutting down on the need for
oils and allowing healthier cooking and even easier clean-up
www.artisanimports.com
www.polishtreasures.com
www.polishpride.com
www.polishpotteryoutlet.com
http://www.polartcenter.com/mobile/Category.aspx?id=280
www.polishtreasures.com
www.polishpride.com
www.polishpotteryoutlet.com
http://www.polartcenter.com/mobile/Category.aspx?id=280
Aprons and
Towels
What better way
to cook your Polish dishes than in a White Eagle embroidered 2-pocket
red apron? (Other styles available). New, larger kitchen towels are also
available in a variety of embroided phrases and patterns, from “Polish
Chef” to “I Love Kielbasa”.
A Polish
Christmas
Creating your own
Polish family traditions is an important way of continuing our heritage.
With each Christmas comes a decorated tree and the Wigilia Christmas Eve
dinner. Continue or begin including customs and ornaments to make your
Christmas “Polish.”
A Polish Christmas Eve by
Rev. Czeslaw Krysa
Learn about
Wigilia, the Christmas Eve dinner and how to make Polish paper ornaments and
traditional dishes. This book is a quick and easy reference, step-by-step guide
and international collection of customs, stories, recipes, carols and
decorations with glossary, pronunciation guide, and a regional map of Poland.
(www.polamjournal.com)
Opłatek (Polish Christmas Wafer)
The breaking of
the Christmas opłatek is a custom that began in Poland in the 10th century and
is practiced by people of Polish ancestry around the world. It is considered
the most ancient and beloved of Polish traditions.
The wafer
symbolizes the unity of the family, which many consider to be the main pillar
of society. According to beliefs, the bond of unity should exist between family
members. The wafer also symbolizes forgiveness and reconciliation.
Practice sharing
the Christmas wafer with family and guests. Many people place a piece in each
Christmas Card they mail.
Ornaments
In Poland, the
making of straw ornaments dates to
the time when the only available
materials for decorations were those that were
found on the farm. During the beginning of the Christmas season, homes were
creatively and ornately decorated using straw, paper, yarn, and cloth
ornaments. These ornaments are very different from modern Christmas
decorations. The designs include stars, wreaths, reindeer figures, pine cone
shapes, and bell shapes.
In addition to
the traditional glass-blown Polish ornaments Polish Pottery and folk dancer
ornaments can make your tree a point of conversation and truly unique. (www.polishpride.com).
Check out the PAJ Catalog for more items:
https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/98e5ac99-ab86-4fa4-a09c-1adec9546d05
Check out the PAJ Catalog for more items:
https://files.acrobat.com/a/preview/98e5ac99-ab86-4fa4-a09c-1adec9546d05
