Spooky Holidays

[Beatriz]

I know you're not asking me but I'll answer anyway, I'd love to have snow at Christmas, it's cold here but it doesn't snow

I forgot to tell you!!I could write a book, we have this sweet as dessert "turrón", it's a kind of nougat.

[lwhite53]

Actually, I hate snow!!! Dealt with waaay too much of it when I lived in NY -- have had enough to last a lifetime!

NY is a veritable winter wonderland at Christmas, for tourists anyway -- decorated tree at Rockefeller Center, ice skating under the tree, store windows all done up, Fifth Avenue, Washington Square, etc, etc . . . For locals, it's hell -- major crowds in the streets, subways, restaurants, stores. When I still lived there, I'd wait until about 2am a couple of days before Christmas Day and then do the sights without the crowds. Actually, it was really peaceful that way -- all the holiday ambiance, none of the people.

[JHyde]

I know what you mean. Sydney can get like that because of all the Euro tourists and backpackers. But I think when you know a city well enough, you know where the pockets of calm and real holiday spirit can be found.

I guess I've always wanted a cold Christmas because I hate the heat and some traditions don't make sense in this climate. But Christmas decorations can be really beautiful if you adapt them to the right colours, minimalism is best out here. Fir trees look a little strange when it's stinking hot outside!

I'm half a country girl, so I also like to go camping somewhere close to Christmas and ride dirtbikes around my mate's property mustering sheep. It's something I really associate with summer, if and when I can get the time off.

[lwhite53]

If you want to sample a quintessential Christmas environment sometime, try Bruges, Belgium. The whole town looks like a Christmas movie set -- lots of snow, decorated store fronts and street lights, people walking the streets drinking hot chocolate and wearing nordic sweaters with thick scarves around their necks . . . really charming.

[JHyde]

Norway's meant to be like that too - which oddly enough has already turned up being discussed on this forum, thanks to Harry's comment in 8.2!

[Margaret]

(26-11-2009 01:07 PM)Beatriz Wrote:  Margaret, have you tasted "churros" with hot chocolate? If you haven't, you should, it's a perfect combination

I'd love to go to Australia one day, I think you have to get used to the climate...

What is tradition is tradition, if you have to eat hot luch you eat it Christmas traditions are fun!!

Hey Beatriz

I HAVE eaten churros -- and not in Spain either!! In Melbourne we have a market called Queen Victoria Market and you can buy churros there from a van that sells nothing else but churros!! They are very good too!! There is a small Spanish Community in Melbourne. Tey even have their own "Spanish Club".

I have been in Scotland @ Christmas. It didn't snow when I was there that Christmas: but it was FREEZING, for me!!

I know that people in Spain like to eat seafood @ Christmas, my friend is married to a Spanish guy, and sometimes he cooks the Spanish Christmas meal on Christmas Eve.

JHyde is right: many people here in Aust like to have seafood @ Christmas, but my family, like hers doesn't: we go for the tradition.

[JHyde]

I think my family is just masochistic.

[deathbymascara]

Since it is officially December, well in to Christmas now (!); I feel justified in being able to wish everyone a happy christmas
I am actually tempted to have the first choc on my advent calender now

[JHyde]

What are you doing for Christmas deathbymascara? Apart from eating Advent calendar chocolates?

[Bam86]

I have a Polish relative who opens their presents on Christmas Eve. They too always have a seafood meal that night as well.