What The Festive Season Looks Like In My Home

What does this season mean to you? Do you go full out festive or is it a little more subdued in your family? Do you celebrate anything at all? We asked our Writers’ Club what this time of year looks like in their households and if they have any favourite festive memories. Read what Emily, Faiyaz, Vania and Natalia had to say for some inspo…

enjoy festive family time

“In my house, the festive season is all about spending quality family time together. As part of this, we have a number of festive traditions to liven up the month. In the first weekend of December, the Christmas tree in our living room goes up, decorated to the ultimate Festive Fun playlist my dad made when my brother and I were kids. During this process, dancing around the table is mandatory. Further into December, the weekend after we break up for the holidays, we buy a real Christmas tree to go in our kitchen and pet the reindeer at the Christmas tree farm. Christmas Eve demands family viewing of The Muppets Christmas Carol, complete with bad singing and cosy blankets, before setting out a mince pie and a carrot by the fire. Christmas Day is all about relaxing (and eating Toblerone for breakfast), but we always make a point of watching the Strictly Christmas special with turkey sandwiches and stuffing for tea.” - Emily

make your own festive traditions

“For a long time, Christmas has been its own institution; despite its roots in Christianity that we are all acutely aware of, many families across the country celebrate it in a non-religious way. This is the case in my family, where despite our Muslim faith, we still decorate the tree and open the presents and roast the turkey. I’m not really a fan of winter, but Christmas is always nice, partially for the gifts but mostly for the obligatory stuffing that I always wish there was more of. I will say though that I have a bone or two to pick with the man who made brussels sprouts a tradition!” - Faiyaz

serve a 'Non-Traditional' Dinner

“Family, food and friends, that is my picture of Christmas. Waking up to the sounds of pattering feet and aroma of spices, the most hectic season in probably any household. To me, Christmas is first and foremost a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. After attending mass the most exciting moment is heading home for a home cooked meal. Jollof rice, plantain and all sorts of Nigerian delicacies are available for grabs. One of the most memorable Christmas moments for me was receiving a call from ‘Santa’ explaining why I deserved gifts and what I wanted - the specifics were a necessity. The festive season is a time of reconnection and celebration with your loved ones as the year quickly comes to an end.” - Vania

Remember and celebrate a loved one

“My family and I like to do something each year which includes our loved ones that are no longer with us in the day. We don’t go as far as laying a place for them at the table or anything like that, but often we will light a candle or bake their favourite dessert to eat together as a way of sharing the day with them and their memory. Your loved one will always be a part of your life and all the seasons in it even if they’re not there physically and so, once you are ready, doing something to include them at the more special times of year like Christmas can be a really beautiful and oftentimes joyful thing to do.” - Natalia

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