Guide: What Christmas gifts are appropriate (and inappropriate) for Poles?
Christmas in Poland is a time of warmth, generosity, and tradition. Gift-giving plays a significant role during this festive season, not only among family and friends but also in professional settings. Whether you're shopping for a Polish loved one, colleague, or client, this guide will help you navigate the dos and don'ts of holiday gifting.
What are suitable Christmas gifts for Poles?
Traditional and edible gifts
Poles cherish tradition, so gifts that reflect Christmas customs are almost always welcome. Think gingerbread, high-quality chocolate, regional sweets, or a nice bottle of local wine or liqueur. A festive hamper filled with delicacies such as honey, jams, or other Polish specialties is an excellent choice.
Personalized or handmade items
Personalized gifts, such as engraved ornaments, photo books, or handmade crafts, add a thoughtful and sentimental touch. Poles tend to appreciate supporting local artists and small businesses – ceramics, handcrafted jewellery, or unique home décor are all great options. Poland also has some fantastic poster artists, so consider exploring local illustration and poster shops too.
Books, puzzles, or board games
If your recipient enjoys reading or relaxing with games, consider:
a novel by a Polish author (in Polish or translation),
a collection of poetry,
a beautiful coffee-table book,
A puzzle or board game for family game nights.
Board games are particularly popular: Poles often gather with family and friends around a game. One interesting option is the offer from Kamila Kalińczak – she creates board games related to the Polish language, savoir-vivre, history, geography, and biology. You can find her store here.
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Practical winter accessories
Cozy scarves, gloves, or socks in festive colours are popular and practical gifts for the colder months. If you decide to give this type of present, try to choose natural fabrics rather than polyester – many Poles pay attention to quality and materials.
For socks, I recommend Many Mornings; for scarves and gloves, local boutiques or small brands in your area are often your best bet.
Festive decorations
Beautiful ornaments, candles, or table centrepieces that enhance the Christmas atmosphere are thoughtful and versatile gifts. You can opt for a traditional or more minimalist, design-focused approach – it's up to you and the recipient's personal style.
When it comes to Christmas ornaments, it's often worth skipping the cheapest options available at the supermarket. Instead, look for small seasonal stands or pop-up shops in shopping centres – many of them offer locally made or higher-quality decorations that feel more special.
What gifts are suitable for clients, colleagues, or customers?
High-quality food or drink
A bottle of good wine, a premium tea or coffee set, or festive sweets make ideal gifts for clients and colleagues.
If you live in a big city, check your local wine bars for options. In Wrocław, for example, I recommend "Pociąg do Wina" – the owners are genuinely passionate about wine and can help you choose the perfect bottle. They also speak English and Spanish, which can be very helpful for expats.
Desk accessories
For professional relationships, stylish pens, planners, desk organizers, or elegant notebooks are practical and appreciated. They feel useful without being too personal.
Corporate hampers
A Christmas-themed gift basket with gourmet treats, wine, or regional products can leave a lasting impression on clients or customers.
Vinegars (for example, cherry vinegar) are also an interesting and quite "Polish" idea. I recommend the small family company Olini – they offer vinegars, beetroot sourdough, honey, juices, oils, and other tasty and healthy products.
Eco-friendly or sustainable gifts
Show you care about sustainability by gifting reusable water bottles, tote bags, or eco-friendly notebooks. Just make sure they are genuinely good-quality and not just "greenwashed". Poles – like many people – are increasingly conscious of authenticity in sustainable branding.
Company-branded items
Branded gifts, such as calendars, pens, or mugs, can be a great way to promote your business while subtly spreading Christmas cheer. Ensure the design is tasteful and the quality is solid.
Avoid generic, low-quality items, as they can convey the wrong message about your brand. Suppose your company doesn't have a big budget for corporate gifts. In that case, there are more innovative alternatives – for example, focusing on fewer but better items, or choosing a different gesture (more on that in our guide: "Christmas gift ideas for expat business owners to give clients and employees").
What Christmas gifts should you avoid?
Too personal gifts
Avoid overly intimate gifts, such as perfume, clothing (especially in personal styles), lingerie, or very personal jewelry, unless you know the recipient very well. In professional settings, stick to neutral and universally appreciated items.
Overly expensive presents
Lavish gifts may make the recipient feel uncomfortable or create a sense of obligation, especially in work-related settings. Thoughtful and moderate is better than extravagant.
Gag gifts or anything offensive.
Christmas is a time for goodwill and warmth. Joke gifts, sarcasm, or anything that could be misunderstood are risky – particularly across cultures. In business contexts, they can easily appear unprofessional.
Chrysanthemums or funeral flowers
As in many situations in Poland, chrysanthemums and traditional funeral arrangements are often considered inappropriate for festive occasions. These flowers are strongly associated with cemeteries and All Saints' Day, not Christmas. It's worth being careful here.
Superstitions to be aware of
In Poland, even if people don't always admit it, certain superstitions still exist – including some related to gifts. Not everyone follows them, and many people have never heard of them, but it's good to be aware:
Scarves or ties can sometimes be interpreted as "restrictive" or controlling in specific contexts. If you know the person is very superstitious, it may be safer to choose something else.
Clocks or watches can symbolise the passage of time and are sometimes seen as "counting down" the relationship between giver and recipient.
Sharp objects (like knives) are believed to "cut" the relationship, so traditionally they are not given as gifts.
I'm sharing these so you know they exist. In practice, most modern Poles won't overthink these details, but if you want to be extra cautious, you can choose something else.
Tips for gifting Poles during Christmas
Focus on presentation: in Poland, how a gift is wrapped is almost as important as the gift itself. Festive paper, ribbons, or a lovely gift bag make a big difference.
Include a handwritten note: a card with warm wishes adds a personal and heartfelt touch, especially if you're an expat making the effort to connect.
Avoid last-minute purchases: thoughtful gifts planned are always more appreciated than something clearly bought in a rush.
Know when to give:
In family settings, gifts are typically opened on Christmas Eve (Wigilia), after the festive dinner.
In professional contexts, gifts are usually given a bit earlier – in the days leading up to Christmas.
Make gifting easy with Bearing with Poland.
The holiday season is a busy time, and finding the perfect gifts, wrapping them beautifully, and navigating Polish cultural nuances can feel overwhelming—especially for expats and expat business owners. Why not let us handle it for you?
At Bearing with Poland, we specialize in taking care of the details so that you can focus on your life and business. Our team can:
Find the perfect gifts tailored to your recipients' preferences and Polish traditions.
Wrap and present your gifts in an elegant, professional manner.
Handle delivery logistics to ensure your presents arrive on time and in style.
Provide expert guidance on appropriate gifts and help you avoid faux pas, such as culturally inappropriate or overly personal items.
Benefits of outsourcing your holiday gifting
Save time: focus on growing your business and enjoying the season, rather than spending hours shopping or researching cultural norms.
Avoid stress: eliminate guesswork and be sure your gifts make the right impression.
Personalized service: We tailor each gift to your recipient, staying within your budget and preferences.
Cultural expertise: our knowledge of Polish traditions ensures your gifts align with local customs.
How much does it cost?
Our pricing is flexible and depends on the scope of your needs:
Basic package (research + recommendations): from 400 PLN.
Full-service package (research, shopping, wrapping, and delivery coordination): from 1000 PLN + cost of gifts and delivery.
Custom solutions (e.g., large orders for multiple employees or clients): ideal for bigger companies—contact us for a personalized quote.
Investing in our gifting services is a small price to pay for convenience, peace of mind, and a polished professional impression. Let us make this holiday season stress-free and joyful for you.
Reach out to Bearing with Poland and let us handle your holiday gifting with care and expertise.
E-mail: bearingwithpoland@gmail.com