A Typical Christmas in Poland

Poland is a Christian county, so in some ways our Christmas are similar to the American Christmas. We decorate Christmas trees and put presents under that tree on 24th of December. Kids are told that the Santa Claus gives presents and there is a kind of legend that if a kid wasn't kind during the year then it will get a rod (stick used for spanking) instead of a gift. But of course, nobody gives the kids rods! ;)
On the Christmas Eve, we also have a very big supper. Very often it is a supper for the whole the family (aunts, uncles, cousins and all the family members whom you actually don't know). That meal traditionally should have 12 courses and everybody should try every course. One eaten dish is an assurance of one happy month in the coming Year. Traditional dishes for that meal are: definitely first and the most popular is carp, then the soup - borscht (made of beets), bigos - it doesn't have an English equivalent - it's a Polish dish made of sauerkraut with a lot of meat (small pieces of roast and a lot of different sausages), some mushrooms, often dried plums and seasoned with dry wine. Moreover, makiełki - doesn't have an English equivalent as well - cooked pasta served as a sweet dish with honey, raisins and poppy, dumplings and some more.
But before eating, family members give each other the best wishes and share the Christmas wafer. It looks like a piece of small paper (and it tastes like paper :P ) with some "pictures" on it - often connected with Christianity (Mary with little Jesus in a crib or so).
And at the end of the day, there is a mass called pasterka (shepherdess). It's always at the midnight.
And then come the 25th and 26th: In fact, they are the days free of work (in contrast to 24th), but there aren't any special traditions connected with them. The housewives don't have much work because of the food made the day before. I would say "the leftovers of food" but there is still really a lot of it (remember we have 12 courses) and that kind of food is able to be stored for some days so it's in perfect condition. So Poles eat and do nothing and enjoy their presents from the previous day.
That how it's in Poland. How do the other nations celebrate Christmas time? Let me know!