Twelve-dish Christmas Eve supper In Poland, Russia and Ukraine an extra plate and seat are always left at the table. According to the folk believes the spirits of the departed members of the family visit on the night. It is also very customary to be even more hospitable and invite unexpected visitors to the supper. Twelve-dish Christmas Eve supper A twelve-dish Christmas Eve supper is traditionally prepared in many Central European and Northern European cultures, especially those that were formerly part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, including Polish, Lithuanian, Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian. The meal (, , , or "wieczerza wigilijna", , ) consists of
Twelve-dish Christmas Eve supper dishes may differ from country to country, but many of them are universal. Due to the Nativity Fast, no meat, eggs or milk (including cheese) are allowed during the supper. Thus fish, mushrooms and various types of grain are the main offerings. In Poland the supper begins with eating soup. The ritual in Ukraine is to start Sviata Vecheria with Kutia. 'Kutia', poppy milk ("aguonų pienas") together with "kūčiukai" are served as a dessert and forms a significant part of the Lithuanian Christmas Eve menu. Poppy seeds are widely used for Christmas Eve dishes, because they symbolise abundance and prosperity.