Conversations around the December table - at home with Magda Przemus

Today we are visiting the beautiful home of Magda Przemus, where inspiration can be found at every turn. We are talking to Magda about Christmas, favorite recipes, decorations, and the spirit of the season. Find some warmth for yourself and your home!

We absolutely love your home! With Christmas approaching, we’re curious - how does your home transform for the holidays? Are you someone who goes all out with Christmas decorations? Do you prefer creating a cozy and calming atmosphere at home, or are you more into a vibrant, colorful, and joyful vibe full of life?

 Thank you for your kind words! It's truly uplifting, especially since renovating our home has been an adventure that's lasted over three years - we started practically from ruin, and today we are slowly seeing the results. Christmas is a time when our home takes on a completely new character. Although I avoid excess, I love small, thoughtful decorations. I usually choose the classic combination of red and green, colors that bring warmth and joy, with the Christmas tree being the central point - decorated intuitively, without following trends, because what matters most is creating an atmosphere that shouldn't feel forced. The whole month of December is a time when the house truly comes alive - filled with scents, twinkling lights, and the peace we've been waiting for all year. 

Christmas is such a special time for cooking - it’s when we pull out recipes that we rarely or never make during the rest of the year. Do you have a favorite Christmas recipe you’d like to share with us?

Definitely, I can't wait for the Christmas dishes! And I don't think there's a single holiday dish that I don't like... Christmas in the kitchen is truly an event. In our home, traditional dishes reign, many of which only appear once a year - that's what makes them so special. I especially cherish the borscht with dumplings, which we prepare together - my husband gathers the mushrooms in the autumn. Making the dumplings together is a ritual that brings us closer. However, my biggest holiday treat is sauerkraut with peas - simplicity at its finest. This recipe has been in my family for generations - my grandmother mixed sauerkraut with freshly chopped cabbage, giving it the perfect balance. This year, I plan to prepare it in a cast iron pot - I believe it will enhance its aroma and make its taste unforgettable.

Although Christmas lasts just a few days, we can extend the festive spirit by preparing special dishes or decorating our table to enjoy the atmosphere throughout December. What are your tips for creating a Christmas vibe around the table all month long - both in terms of food and table setting?

Christmas is a time that I feel with all my senses - especially with smell and taste. The air smells of mandarins and cinnamon. We often start December mornings with cinnamon pancakes topped with a hot puree made from orange and mandarin flesh with honey - such a breakfast really tastes festive. I throw orange peels into a small pot with water and heat it on the stove, letting the fragrance fill the entire house. On the table, I place fresh citrus fruits and fir branches from the garden - it's fresh and flavorful. However, the most important thing is that we sit down together at the table. Long conversations, shared meals, and moments together make the house a place where you can feel the magic of Christmas.

Do you have special tableware that you bring out just for Christmas? How do you choose the items for your table, and is it something that’s important to you? Where do you look for inspiration for your Christmas decorations?

This year, I chose a special table setting - I pulled out the old Włocławek ceramics that I remember from my childhood. They are a symbol of my family home and bring back memories from my youth. However, on a daily basis, I believe that beautiful things shouldn't be reserved for special occasions. I value comfort and practicality, even when it comes to creating a festive atmosphere. I avoid tablecloths because they usually stay clean for about five minutes ;) I also don’t like covering up the old wooden table that I restored myself, and I’m very happy with the result. As for inspiration, there are a few Instagram accounts I often visit, not only for decoration ideas, like the profiles of Victoria Askerow or Marie Oliveros.

Last but not least, could you tell us what your dream Christmas would look like? Would you spend it at home, or somewhere else? What makes Christmas perfect for you?

I can modestly say that I love our Christmas at home, especially since we moved to Bielsko - it seems like the sun shines more often here and it snows, and we have a mountain view from the window. I enjoy cooking and baking. I love when the house smells of the Christmas atmosphere. December is focused on preparations and family, and the anticipation of Christmas adds magic to the short winter days. If I were to try something new, maybe it would be Christmas in some exotic corner of the world... palm trees instead of a Christmas tree, sand instead of snow. But would such a change take away the magic of those days? Maybe one day I'll find out! I believe that the magic of Christmas is in the people we spend it with, not the place. That's why my dream Christmas is already here this year - at home, full of warmth, with family.