For most people, Food is a huge part of Christmas. Whether it is the stress of feeding the 5,000 or the memories brought on by the smell of mulled wine or simply what you culturally expect from the season, food is well to put it mildly crucial.
Now most people seem comfortable with the concept of the basic British Christmas food - turkey, roast potatoes, gravy, sprouts and setting fire to fruit pudding (done incidentally to commemorate Christs passion) but what does everyone else eat?
As a Saffa-Brit Hybrid (much nicer concept than a mongrel), we've adapted the traditional approach. Firstly, we eat at 3:30 - 4:00 as it is simply too hot to enjoy a bit of a binge (and that is what Christmas is) too early. Mom also cooks the turkey, gammon and pork the day before - not only does it mean she isn't stressed on Christmas day but also that the meat is cold and if anything goes wrong, emergency fixes can be applied.
Salads, roast potatoes, bread sauce, cranberry sauce, chipolatas and my grandmothers stuffing - cover the table and the eldest member of the family says a prayer to celebrate the fact the family is gathering. Dessert is often Christmas pudding with ice cream but also pavlova and fruit. No-one is forced to eat anything but everyone is encouraged to enjoy their favourites. Wine flows and the sounds of children splashing in and out of the pool between plates is expected.
A nice melding of traditions which I hope one day to pass on to my own family.
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