What is Xmas days like in your country/city?

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by joli160

In the Netherlands we celebrate on the 25th and 26th. On the 25th usually a family get together with a Christmas dinner. You may find some game i.e. deer or rabbit on the menu.
Our second X-mas day is mostly spent outside the house. Car dealers or furniture shops are doing good business.
In my own house not so much, married to a Buddhist who does not have a clue about X-mas nor it's meaning.
Happy holidays

Thank you for sharing! Happy Holidays!!

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

Three words. Kentucky Fried Chicken. I wish I was kidding.


People order weeks in advance and stand in line on Christmas Day to get KFC.

Wow!!

I didn't realize it was so big in Japan, I knew the Chinese were crazy for KFC but I had assumed Japan was beyond those kind of outside influences? but then again Japan is like no other as far as pop-culture!!

Christmas in New England is much like every other corner of the U.S. we celebrate with friends and family, on the 25th after a morning where kids open presents. Christmas eve at my house is for extended family to get together and share stories and time over some good but humble food.

Christmas day dinner was always a big deal when I was growing up, my father wasn't a rich man but would insist on taking us all to the Ritz Carlton dinning room for Pheasant or Goose as if we were part of the Boston Brahmin or something, but at least it was fun. Then we graduated to having roast beef and Yorkshire pudding every year at home, much more relaxing!!

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by wantonebad

Wow!!

I didn't realize it was so big in Japan, I knew the Chinese were crazy for KFC but I had assumed Japan was beyond those kind of outside influences? but then again Japan is like no other as far as pop-culture!!

Christmas in New England is much like every other corner of the U.S. we celebrate with friends and family, on the 25th after a morning where kids open presents. Christmas eve at my house is for extended family to get together and share stories and time over some good but humble food.

Christmas day dinner was always a big deal when I was growing up, my father wasn't a rich man but would insist on taking us all to the Ritz Carlton dinning room for Pheasant or Goose as if we were part of the Boston Brahmin or something, but at least it was fun. Then we graduated to having roast beef and Yorkshire pudding every year at home, much more relaxing!!

Thank you for sharing!

[cedargrove]

Christmas Eve with my wife's family in Toronto - about 20 people. They are Portuguese, so dinner will always be fish. After dinner one of the uncles will dress as Santa and hand out the gifts that we all brought (mainly for the kids). After gifts we eat shrimp and crab, and play cards.

The next morning, at home, my kids open their presents from Santa.

We then pack into the car and head to one of my siblings' houses (often a four hour drive).
My three siblings and I are all married with kids, plus my folks, makes for a house of 17 people. We'll arrive after lunch, and once all the adults have drinks in hand, the kids open their presents.

Always turkey, stuffing and plenty of vegetables for Christmas dinner, along with beer, wine and scotch. We'll play many games over the next few days, and take the kids out tobogganing and hiking.

[rolexnub]

I am originally from the Philipines and now living in Canada. I don't want to brag how we celebrate Christmas but IMHO it's the best in the world.

You can read it from a CNN article - http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/05/world/...es-traditions/

Happy Holidays to all!!

[Rock]

Christmas is in the middle of Summer in Australia. Shorts & T shirt weather.
Wife & I, adult Son & Daughter (no partners) & 99yo Mum.
Breakky: Fresh OJ, Scrambled eggs & smoked salmon, buttered toast, Cherries, Espresso. (+ half a dozen prunes for me - you know why)
Brief visit to rellies for cold beers & nibbles then home to open presents.
Lunch: Turkey and cold salads, Ham off the bone, oysters, prawns, pink Champagne, Christmas cake or Christmas pudding w custard and cream.
Stayers have a few cocktails, maybe a Black Russian or two. Pikers have a snooze.
Dinner: Your pick of lunch leftovers (if you can fit anything in) Your choice of drink. I will have a couple of Scotch & soda.
Reflect on how lucky we are compared with a big slab of humanity.

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by cedargrove

Christmas Eve with my wife's family in Toronto - about 20 people. They are Portuguese, so dinner will always be fish. After dinner one of the uncles will dress as Santa and hand out the gifts that we all brought (mainly for the kids). After gifts we eat shrimp and crab, and play cards.

The next morning, at home, my kids open their presents from Santa.

We then pack into the car and head to one of my siblings' houses (often a four hour drive).
My three siblings and I are all married with kids, plus my folks, makes for a house of 17 people. We'll arrive after lunch, and once all the adults have drinks in hand, the kids open their presents.

Always turkey, stuffing and plenty of vegetables for Christmas dinner, along with beer, wine and scotch. We'll play many games over the next few days, and take the kids out tobogganing and hiking.

I would definitively like to try fish for dinner; sounds delicious and a whole 'plan' throughout the holidays! Thank you for sharing!

Originally Posted by rolexnub

I am originally from the Philipines and now living in Canada. I don't want to brag how we celebrate Christmas but IMHO it's the best in the world.

You can read it from a CNN article - http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/05/world/...es-traditions/

Happy Holidays to all!!

WOW! Looks amazing!!!! Happy Holidays!

Originally Posted by Rock

Christmas is in the middle of Summer in Australia. Shorts & T shirt weather.
Wife & I, adult Son & Daughter (no partners) & 99yo Mum.
Breakky: Fresh OJ, Scrambled eggs & smoked salmon, buttered toast, Cherries, Espresso. (+ half a dozen prunes for me - you know why)
Brief visit to rellies for cold beers & nibbles then home to open presents.
Lunch: Turkey and cold salads, Ham off the bone, oysters, prawns, pink Champagne, Christmas cake or Christmas pudding w custard and cream.
Stayers have a few cocktails, maybe a Black Russian or two. Pikers have a snooze.
Dinner: Your pick of lunch leftovers (if you can fit anything in) Your choice of drink. I will have a couple of Scotch & soda.
Reflect on how lucky we are compared with a big slab of humanity.

Fantastic times and food sounds great!!!! You are spot on on reflection. Happy Holidays!!!!

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

Three words. Kentucky Fried Chicken. I wish I was kidding.


People order weeks in advance and stand in line on Christmas Day to get KFC.

Yes Gerardo. Kind of sad. Really. Pics of KFC on Christmas Day in Japan.

https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=kf...h=379&dpr=1.67

The story. Not too long. Hard to cook a turkey or ham in small houses and kitchens in Japan... so KFC. Haha!

http://www.dannychoo.com/en/post/259...+in+Japan.html

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

Yes Gerardo. Kind of sad. Really. Pics of KFC on Christmas Day in Japan.

https://www.google.co.jp/search?q=kf...h=379&dpr=1.67

The story. Not too long. Hard to cook a turkey or ham in small houses and kitchens in Japan... so KFC. Haha!

http://www.dannychoo.com/en/post/259...+in+Japan.html

That, I did NOT know!!!! Wow! Thank you for sharing!

[vitalsignsrn]

Originally Posted by 1st amg

Italian over here, and my wife being an Italian immigrated to Canada when we got married have lots of amazing foods and sweets. We have our Christmas eve feast which is all fish, lots of seafood, lots of fried shrimps, scallops, calamari etc, she makes a pasta with calamata sauce which consists of tuna, calamata olives with garlic and extra virgin olive oil which we have shipped from Calabria Italy yearly. Christmas day is lamb and lasagna, the kids go crazy with the home made sweets!! Lots of wine and spirits! Can't wait!

I'm also Italian & follow much of the traditions Nicholas celebrates. Christmas Eve, we have our Fettucini pasta dinner which includes octopus & squid, Barese olives in a tomato sauce. Then we move in to the 7 trays of seafood & salad. Then once we've all had a cat nap we open gifts. I hate to say that most of us have omitted the Midnight Mass tradition. We're either too full, too drunk or trying to figure out what the heck we got for Christmas. Mainly its because we don't want to go & get irritated by the other 500 hypocrites that have no manners. Gifts from Santa are opened the next morning of course. Chrismas day we have Roast or Ham, & vegetables. One year we grilled steaks. LOL My father doesn't like Turkey. Naturally the Vino is flowing & dessert is as well. Tv is a mixture of Italian (cheesy programming) & the English programming. Depends if an old geezer gets the remote or a young one. LOL Christmas has gotten quieter over the years as everyone has gotten married & had kids of their own. So now with the 7 of us only, we do everything on a smaller scale. Less dishes to deal with!

[vitalsignsrn]

Wow...that KFC fascination is ...well...fascinintating. LOL Have they not heard of Shake N Bake? Not quite the same but a great substitute. LOL I hope you get the big bucket this year. You're neighbours would be jealous! Eat your drumstick openly. LOL So crazy. No wonder they have 24hr open KFC's. I didnt really know why they would. I do now. ;-)

[zama]

Originally Posted by Rock

Christmas is in the middle of Summer in Australia. Shorts & T shirt weather.
Wife & I, adult Son & Daughter (no partners) & 99yo Mum.
Breakky: Fresh OJ, Scrambled eggs & smoked salmon, buttered toast, Cherries, Espresso. (+ half a dozen prunes for me - you know why)
Brief visit to rellies for cold beers & nibbles then home to open presents.
Lunch: Turkey and cold salads, Ham off the bone, oysters, prawns, pink Champagne, Christmas cake or Christmas pudding w custard and cream.
Stayers have a few cocktails, maybe a Black Russian or two. Pikers have a snooze.
Dinner: Your pick of lunch leftovers (if you can fit anything in) Your choice of drink. I will have a couple of Scotch & soda.
Reflect on how lucky we are compared with a big slab of humanity.

Sounds a lot like ours, we crazy aussies are still stuck in many European traditions, so while there is often prawns and some cold cuts, we certainly often have hot ham, turkey and a christmas pudding with brandy custard. We rotate between my siblings, never will be as great as being a kid, when my mum an only child hard her parents stay christmas eve, and we would all have a cup of tea before we had eggs and ham on toast while opening the presents.

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by vitalsignsrn

I'm also Italian & follow much of the traditions Nicholas celebrates. Christmas Eve, we have our Fettucini pasta dinner which includes octopus & squid, Barese olives in a tomato sauce. Then we move in to the 7 trays of seafood & salad. Then once we've all had a cat nap we open gifts. I hate to say that most of us have omitted the Midnight Mass tradition. We're either too full, too drunk or trying to figure out what the heck we got for Christmas. Mainly its because we don't want to go & get irritated by the other 500 hypocrites that have no manners. Gifts from Santa are opened the next morning of course. Chrismas day we have Roast or Ham, & vegetables. One year we grilled steaks. LOL My father doesn't like Turkey. Naturally the Vino is flowing & dessert is as well. Tv is a mixture of Italian (cheesy programming) & the English programming. Depends if an old geezer gets the remote or a young one. LOL Christmas has gotten quieter over the years as everyone has gotten married & had kids of their own. So now with the 7 of us only, we do everything on a smaller scale. Less dishes to deal with!

That has been a fantastic description!!!! Would you mind sharing pictures next week?

Saludos!!!

Originally Posted by zama

Sounds a lot like ours, we crazy aussies are still stuck in many European traditions, so while there is often prawns and some cold cuts, we certainly often have hot ham, turkey and a christmas pudding with brandy custard. We rotate between my siblings, never will be as great as being a kid, when my mum an only child hard her parents stay christmas eve, and we would all have a cup of tea before we had eggs and ham on toast while opening the presents.

Nice! Thank you for sharing!!!!

[Challenger Deep]

My Christmases in Michigan were like those old Christmas carols of white snow and sleepy, warm fires. At the time, which i took for granted and did not truly value until now were the best i have ever had. I moved to Texas, and it's so far down here from what i know as Christmas to be.

I mean by that the climate and weather, the area and landscape. I love that much more than the gift aspect, but the value of giving is universal. I'd rather have a Christmas in a small log cabin somewhere up North in Manistee National Forest or over in Tawas or in Interlochen and have a beautiful tree, no gifts and my family by a fire than all the gifts and money in the world, no matter how extravagant. But i can't have that now.

We'd start out after Thanksgiving, thinking about what to do and what to get. I personally liked just to be in the crowds and masses, not buy anything, just mingle and meander through. I guess you could say that when i did that, i intended to show people that even in all this madness of sales that you can just be cool, calm and relax. Christmas is a time of peace, not commotion. Sort of diving into the rapids to show you could be calm in it, you know? Christmas carols would be on daily, in my truck and room. The days would grow short and cloudy. If and when it started to snow, however little fell and stuck to the ground, i always watched it fall with my mother from our bay window we had in the living room out into the yard.

I think that the perfect time to buy the Christmas tree is the second week of December, or the 10th. Let it sit for 3-5 days inside and then decorate, so you can have it for a good time while it's most beautiful for Christmas morning. We'd go to the YMCA lot, and get our tree. Meijer's and Wal-Mart had them, other stores but the YMCA Lot had the best trees for the price. So we'd get our tree, set it up and then decorate. In the evenings, with the smell of cookies and milk, we'd sit and watch television, Rudolph, and Frost, Santa Claus is Coming to Town by the light of the TV an the Tree. In the mornings, i'd turn on the tree and it'd be on in the early morning hours, for light. None of those bright white LED and kitchen lights, anymore. The Christmas tree was the light.

Of course, we'd go to family's houses and see the trees,visit and have a family party. We would, when i was younger go driving around looking at the lights people put up. Then Christmas would come, and it would be so magical. My grandparents would comer over and they'd have their coffee. Papa and Grandpa, Grandma would talk about work, we'd play and mom would watch and smile.

It was like that for years. Now here in Texas, i don't really see much of Christmas. Perhaps it's where i am living, but i see lights and it's not what i'm used to. I see ever now and then a beautiful display of lights, but it's different and i can't expect it to be what i know and by that i can't get angry or sad. It's nice down here, and this is my first Christmas away from Michigan, which is hard and sad for me. I had the opportunity to go back and get my brother for a few days for the holiday season and i managed to snap a pic or two of our downtown.

Every year in Lansing, Michigan we do Silver Bells in the City. A parade and the lighting of the annual Christmas tree, for 30 years now. A beautiful event. It happens in Mid-November. It's already cold by then, so it's fitting. You don't really notice the tree until December, it's funny like that. The tree is harvested every year from the UP and is always a great big beauty.

[Paramedic]

Our Christmas Day in southern Ohio usually consist of everyone showing up at our house either the night before or early in the morning. All 3 daughters, the 2 foster daughters ( 24-30 now), all the husbands and boy friends, and the granddaughter (9) all gather around the tree and spend an hour or so opening gifts, we make fresh homemade cinnamon roles and coffee to get the day started. Most of the day is spent cooking and catching up on how everything is going in everyone's lives, the girls are all finishing up there advanced degrees so there's always stories about law school or medical school. Then in the evening about 5ish it's diner time. Usually between family and close friends we end up with about 40 people for diner and another small gift exchange. The food my wife and I cook usually consist of a smoked turkey, a buffalo turkey (just like the wings), a honey baked ham, a large prime rib, usually about 15 or so traditional side dishes, then that leaves the deserts, usually several different cakes, pies, and cookies. Then we get to clean up all of the mess, when everything finally calms down I get to go out on the porch and relax with a nice cigar and Kentucky bourbon.

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by Challenger Deep

My Christmases in Michigan were like those old Christmas carols of white snow and sleepy, warm fires. At the time, which i took for granted and did not truly value until now were the best i have ever had. I moved to Texas, and it's so far down here from what i know as Christmas to be.

I mean by that the climate and weather, the area and landscape. I love that much more than the gift aspect, but the value of giving is universal. I'd rather have a Christmas in a small log cabin somewhere up North in Manistee National Forest or over in Tawas or in Interlochen and have a beautiful tree, no gifts and my family by a fire than all the gifts and money in the world, no matter how extravagant. But i can't have that now.

We'd start out after Thanksgiving, thinking about what to do and what to get. I personally liked just to be in the crowds and masses, not buy anything, just mingle and meander through. I guess you could say that when i did that, i intended to show people that even in all this madness of sales that you can just be cool, calm and relax. Christmas is a time of peace, not commotion. Sort of diving into the rapids to show you could be calm in it, you know? Christmas carols would be on daily, in my truck and room. The days would grow short and cloudy. If and when it started to snow, however little fell and stuck to the ground, i always watched it fall with my mother from our bay window we had in the living room out into the yard.

I think that the perfect time to buy the Christmas tree is the second week of December, or the 10th. Let it sit for 3-5 days inside and then decorate, so you can have it for a good time while it's most beautiful for Christmas morning. We'd go to the YMCA lot, and get our tree. Meijer's and Wal-Mart had them, other stores but the YMCA Lot had the best trees for the price. So we'd get our tree, set it up and then decorate. In the evenings, with the smell of cookies and milk, we'd sit and watch television, Rudolph, and Frost, Santa Claus is Coming to Town by the light of the TV an the Tree. In the mornings, i'd turn on the tree and it'd be on in the early morning hours, for light. None of those bright white LED and kitchen lights, anymore. The Christmas tree was the light.

Of course, we'd go to family's houses and see the trees,visit and have a family party. We would, when i was younger go driving around looking at the lights people put up. Then Christmas would come, and it would be so magical. My grandparents would comer over and they'd have their coffee. Papa and Grandpa, Grandma would talk about work, we'd play and mom would watch and smile.

It was like that for years. Now here in Texas, i don't really see much of Christmas. Perhaps it's where i am living, but i see lights and it's not what i'm used to. I see ever now and then a beautiful display of lights, but it's different and i can't expect it to be what i know and by that i can't get angry or sad. It's nice down here, and this is my first Christmas away from Michigan, which is hard and sad for me. I had the opportunity to go back and get my brother for a few days for the holiday season and i managed to snap a pic or two of our downtown.

Every year in Lansing, Michigan we do Silver Bells in the City. A parade and the lighting of the annual Christmas tree, for 30 years now. A beautiful event. It happens in Mid-November. It's already cold by then, so it's fitting. You don't really notice the tree until December, it's funny like that. The tree is harvested every year from the UP and is always a great big beauty.

Thank you for sharing. It is surprising how celebrations vary from state to state; thank hou for taking us along through the Xmas days! Nice pictures as well

Originally Posted by Paramedic

Our Christmas Day in southern Ohio usually consist of everyone showing up at our house either the night before or early in the morning. All 3 daughters, the 2 foster daughters ( 24-30 now), all the husbands and boy friends, and the granddaughter (9) all gather around the tree and spend an hour or so opening gifts, we make fresh homemade cinnamon roles and coffee to get the day started. Most of the day is spent cooking and catching up on how everything is going in everyone's lives, the girls are all finishing up there advanced degrees so there's always stories about law school or medical school. Then in the evening about 5ish it's diner time. Usually between family and close friends we end up with about 40 people for diner and another small gift exchange. The food my wife and I cook usually consist of a smoked turkey, a buffalo turkey (just like the wings), a honey baked ham, a large prime rib, usually about 15 or so traditional side dishes, then that leaves the deserts, usually several different cakes, pies, and cookies. Then we get to clean up all of the mess, when everything finally calms down I get to go out on the porch and relax with a nice cigar and Kentucky bourbon.

Wow! That is a big crowd! Family and friends are very important and make the season, but that cigar at the end of the day is the perfect way to wrap things up! thank you for sharing!

[mtrunner]

Originally Posted by azguy

I'll be in Vegas this year, just like that past 15 or so years... a fine cigar and some blackjack please.....Merry Christmas !

I love Vegas during Christmas. My wife and I spent Christmas in Vegas 2011 and 2012 and had a great time. I love the fact things are pretty slow and fairly empty!

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by mtrunner

I love Vegas during Christmas. My wife and I spent Christmas in Vegas 2011 and 2012 and had a great time. I love the fact things are pretty slow and fairly empty!

..sounds like a fun time to visit

[Fredrik]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Food wise, like this:

This looks quite similar to the traditional julbord here in Sweden, maybe not too surprising.

In my family we usually only have the traditional ham, pickled herring, cold-smoked salmon, gravlax(salt and sugar cured salmon), meatballs, janssons frestelse(potato slices cooked in the oven with lots of cream, butter, onion and some anchovy), rye bread...

And the big family celebration is the 24th, julafton, we usually meet around noon, have some glögg, ginger biscuits and saffron buns, then dive into all of the food. By the evening the presents are handed out and opened. When I was a kid we always got the first presents in the morning of the 24th and the rest in the evening. It is mainly the children that get gifts.

We also still call the holiday jul(Yule) and at least in my family there is a complete absence of anything christian in the celebrations.

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by Fredrik

This looks quite similar to the traditional julbord here in Sweden, maybe not too surprising.

In my family we usually only have the traditional ham, pickled herring, cold-smoked salmon, gravlax(salt and sugar cured salmon), meatballs, janssons frestelse(potato slices cooked in the oven with lots of cream, butter, onion and some anchovy), rye bread...

And the big family celebration is the 24th, julafton, we usually meet around noon, have some glögg, ginger biscuits and saffron buns, then dive into all of the food. By the evening the presents are handed out and opened. When I was a kid we always got the first presents in the morning of the 24th and the rest in the evening. It is mainly the children that get gifts.

We also still call the holiday jul(Yule) and at least in my family there is a complete absence of anything christian in the celebrations.

Thank you for sharing!

[jandr272]

I have a small family, really me and my wife and our two kids, her parents, her sister and her boyfriend, and her "adopted" Indian sister and her husband. We have Jul dinner (her family has Scandinavian heritage) around 20 dec which is always cooked by my mom in law, beef Wellington with Brussels sprouts, brandy gravy, carrots, and then desert is a "Jul" log chocolate cake.

Christmas Eve we do dinner at my house with everyone invited including a few close friends that I consider family, we normally rotate what is being cooked as a theme. I love to cook, especially for crowds. This thanksgiving was creole cooking, last year was Indian, the year before was Italian. This year I'm cooking whole sea bass, and saving the carcasses to make fish stock for seafood stew for New Years eve. We like to play board games as a family, especially the railroad related ones like "1830" so will have a game night Christmas and maybe New Years eve. Christmas Eve the kids open one present each, traditionally pajamas. Christmas morning at the house is just me and the wife and kids, we do stockings in bed, get up, eat a simple breakfast of eggs and bacon or biscuits and sausage gravy or crepes, open presents and hang out until about 3. After that it is off to whoever is doing Christmas dinner this year.

To be truthful I'm very envious of those of you with big families, I always wanted one but was an only child with divorced parents. My wife said we are done with 2 because they are hard on her body, but we've agreed to adopt once she has started a career and I'm closer to retirement from the Army at 42. I have half siblings on my dads side but they've never really let me in the clique. I am blessed enough to have 3 friends that I consider true brothers, 2 from the army and 1 from the police department I used to work for. They have open invitations for all holidays and sometimes make it.

[bp1000]

Here in the UK and for my family we start by taking the kids 20 mins up the road to a place where wild reindeer roam the forest to start off the magic.

A bit of preparation for the meal in the afternoon then children mass (church) in the evening for us (not all in the uk). Then the men go for a few whiskies and we settle down for the night. Waking up with the kids at silly o clock.

Lunch is spent with the wider family is a few courses, usually duck liver and orange pate on melba toast, followed by chinese leaf soup. Then usually turkey, goose fat and stuffing, with roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, veg etc. Followed by flaming brandy christmas pudding.

For us we then move to my wifes family in the evening for beer, games and more presents. The next few days is spent visiting friends and usually some day trips.

Lovely time of the year.

[AK797]

Went shopping today. For Xmas Eve we are having a European themed dinner of Swedish meatballs, German potato salad, quail's eggs, cabbage, carrots, Yorkshire pudding, chocolate log, mulled wine and opening one present. On the Day we are having the traditional Turkey, Roasties, stuffing, Brussels sprouts, chipolatas, Christmas Pudding, brandy cream, trifle... and me and my sister really want to order a KFC bucket for our visiting Japanese relative, haha.

[Fredrik]

Here's a quick snap of yesterdays dinner, the stuff in the lower left corner is löjrom with finely chopped red onions and creme fraiche. Today I'm going to the gym...

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by jandr272

I have a small family, really me and my wife and our two kids, her parents, her sister and her boyfriend, and her "adopted" Indian sister and her husband. We have Jul dinner (her family has Scandinavian heritage) around 20 dec which is always cooked by my mom in law, beef Wellington with Brussels sprouts, brandy gravy, carrots, and then desert is a "Jul" log chocolate cake.

Christmas Eve we do dinner at my house with everyone invited including a few close friends that I consider family, we normally rotate what is being cooked as a theme. I love to cook, especially for crowds. This thanksgiving was creole cooking, last year was Indian, the year before was Italian. This year I'm cooking whole sea bass, and saving the carcasses to make fish stock for seafood stew for New Years eve. We like to play board games as a family, especially the railroad related ones like "1830" so will have a game night Christmas and maybe New Years eve. Christmas Eve the kids open one present each, traditionally pajamas. Christmas morning at the house is just me and the wife and kids, we do stockings in bed, get up, eat a simple breakfast of eggs and bacon or biscuits and sausage gravy or crepes, open presents and hang out until about 3. After that it is off to whoever is doing Christmas dinner this year.

To be truthful I'm very envious of those of you with big families, I always wanted one but was an only child with divorced parents. My wife said we are done with 2 because they are hard on her body, but we've agreed to adopt once she has started a career and I'm closer to retirement from the Army at 42. I have half siblings on my dads side but they've never really let me in the clique. I am blessed enough to have 3 friends that I consider true brothers, 2 from the army and 1 from the police department I used to work for. They have open invitations for all holidays and sometimes make it.

Thank you for sharing. Family time (either small family or extended) is a great way to spend holidays! Feliz Navidad!

Originally Posted by bp1000

Here in the UK and for my family we start by taking the kids 20 mins up the road to a place where wild reindeer roam the forest to start off the magic.

A bit of preparation for the meal in the afternoon then children mass (church) in the evening for us (not all in the uk). Then the men go for a few whiskies and we settle down for the night. Waking up with the kids at silly o clock.

Lunch is spent with the wider family is a few courses, usually duck liver and orange pate on melba toast, followed by chinese leaf soup. Then usually turkey, goose fat and stuffing, with roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, veg etc. Followed by flaming brandy christmas pudding.

For us we then move to my wifes family in the evening for beer, games and more presents. The next few days is spent visiting friends and usually some day trips.

Lovely time of the year.

Gracias for sharing! Feliz Navidad!

Originally Posted by AK797

Went shopping today. For Xmas Eve we are having a European themed dinner of Swedish meatballs, German potato salad, quail's eggs, cabbage, carrots, Yorkshire pudding, chocolate log, mulled wine and opening one present. On the Day we are having the traditional Turkey, Roasties, stuffing, Brussels sprouts, chipolatas, Christmas Pudding, brandy cream, trifle... and me and my sister really want to order a KFC bucket for our visiting Japanese relative, haha.

I am hungry (again! ). Thank you for sharing. Feliz Navidad!

Originally Posted by Fredrik

Here's a quick snap of yesterdays dinner, the stuff in the lower left corner is löjrom with finely chopped red onions and creme fraiche. Today I'm going to the gym...

feliz Navidad!

[vitalsignsrn]

Gerardo, I dont have any pics to share. We didnt do the big splashy dinner we usually do. Since my mother has advanced Alzheimer's we've been keeping dinners more casual & less fussy than we used to. We just dont have the heart to put into it anymore. We celebrated Christmas today (since my brother has been working) & took our mom out for a nice lunch (Canyon Creek Restaurant). Was relaxing, no one had to cook, & no one was stressed out.

Great pictures of the food.

[watchf]

It is extremely warm (temperature not festive atmosphere lol) and deserted as most people leave town to avoid spending Christmas there...so do I :)

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by vitalsignsrn

Gerardo, I dont have any pics to share. We didnt do the big splashy dinner we usually do. Since my mother has advanced Alzheimer's we've been keeping dinners more casual & less fussy than we used to. We just dont have the heart to put into it anymore. We celebrated Christmas today (since my brother has been working) & took our mom out for a nice lunch (Canyon Creek Restaurant). Was relaxing, no one had to cook, & no one was stressed out.

Great pictures of the food.

Thank you for for sharing; family is much more important than any meal, time very well spent! Happy Holidays

Originally Posted by watchf

It is extremely warm (temperature not festive atmosphere lol) and deserted as most people leave town to avoid spending Christmas there...so do I :)

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gracias for sharing!