I think the Christmas meal could be a great time.
Here in Finland there is generally snow (unlikely this year) and people are in the mod to have a few days off and spend them with family. However, what I think is missing in Finland is the "spirit" of Christmas, as it gets buried under the traditions of the Christmas dinner. Knock on 100 doors during Christmas dinner and there is going to be a 90% overlap of what people are eating. And the remaining 10% are just slight variations of the same thing.
Every year.
The same.
I get that people like the traditions and take comfort in having the same thing every year, but I also think that too much importance is put on the tradition, forgetting that the spirit of Christmas (if one believes in such a thing) is about spending time with loved ones, sharing good food. It doesn't matter what food is being shared, just that it is good. Something where people have put in some effort to make what they wouldn't normally have. Ideally, make it together.
It is our year to host the meal, so we will have almost twenty people visiting. Because of the way the family has their tradition, it is a lot of work for the hosts, because it is all crammed into a few hours, so everything has to be prepped and ready, before people arrive. Sure, the ham has to be made the day before, but I feel it would be far nicer to have everyone come in and help prep, with a glass of wine in hand. It is one of the rare occasions everyone is together, but the time is spent eating, not engaging.
But I have no say.
This will be my 22nd Christmas in Finland and whenever I have suggested a change, it has been vetoed. A couple years ago I snuck in a cheese platter and everyone enjoyed it, but it has been removed from the festivities again this year - because it isn't in the traditional plans.
When I talk about the spirit of Christmas, I don't care at all about the religious aspects of it, never have, never will. What I care about is relationship building and the problem with traditions is that they become automatic routines, robotic. The same thing plays out each year based on the date, with little thought going into why, how, and who is involved. Even the conversations are the same.
And I get it - people love traditions because they feel familiar and safe, but I think that at least with the food aspect, that is an area people can be more daring. I actually think it would be something that even if a culinary disaster, would become a memorable moment shared with the people you care about the most. Instead, because nothing changes, all the Christmases blur into one. I could have Christmas with the neighbours and it would be a similar experience.
There is nothing unexpected.
Maybe that is the point for the majority of people though. They don't want to take risks during this time, because they want to make sure they enjoy it. It is like going to a favourite restaurant and ordering the same thing from the menu, because you know it is good - even though you have never tried anything else on the menu. Maybe people can relax in the familiar environment of the Christmas they know, the same one they have had every year of their life. Maybe it makes them feel some kind of continuity in a rapidly changing world.
I don't know.
I just stay silent with a mouth full of ham.
Taraz
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Our snow that we had is almost gone now. I wonder how much will still be around by the time Christmas gets here. My wife has things down to a science for her family Christmas festivities. We have a spreadsheet that has been honed over years of what people like and what they don't. I think I am smoking a brisket this year. We will see how that goes.
Over the last several years it became a contest to see who could make the most flavorful or juicy turkey on Thanksgiving, or get creative with whatever choice of meat any of us were preparing. Sure there was a lot of meat leftovers but there was also that four day limit everyone could carry out to take home and get creative with. My one son got into smoking meat. Let me tell you, there was some doozies until he got good at it. He'd bring whatever pride and joy he was trying to make early on into the house and the smell was just awful. We couldn't wait anymore longer to want to wait for him to exit the kitchen, swing shut the swinging door, spit out the meat, open the door and all the windows as he could wanting us to give it a pre-sample taste run. Those early couple of experimental years praising him for that which we couldn't wait to spit out paid off though as he got much more skilled at it.
That is great support. Here, people would likely complain from day one, killing any chance of another attempt for day two. Probably why the food doesn't change.
Haha, I hope my family doesn't feel that way about me. I can do a pretty mean turkey breast, but brisket is still pretty intimidating for me. I hope I can make some improvements on last year this year.
The snow is gone here too. Not expecting more before Christmas. Climate change.
A spreadsheet is next level. Here, it is all in memory. Though "like ad don't like" doesn't matter, when it had to be the same. :)
Still, at least I like the ham.
I agree, a spreadsheet is next level. Damn @bozz you are a serious Christmas cooker. I am curious how the brisket turns out. We are supposed too have some unually warm temps for the holiday, so thinking about firing up our smoker.
Last year when I did a brisket it was something like negative ten out, so I am looking forward to some warmer temps this year!
This sounds decent - what will you smoke? Here, they pretty much only do salmon.
I do love fish especially salmon, but the wife not so much. Most likely it will probably be something thathas been in the freezer for a while that needs cooked. The wife will most likely choose. I just run the grill...or at least Im allowed to think so :-)
A lot of it probably has to do with the nostelgia that getting to eat that spectacular dish, desert, that only grandma, aunti, uncle, etc., makes to perfection only comes once, maybe twice a year at the holidays. As simply and silly as it seems, even something of the most basic gets cherished. You would hardly think that green onion wraps would be considered to look forward to but that is exactly what happens when one family member makes them, never a bad onion wrap in the lot, each sized in equal equations of the green onion, the cheese and the wrap. If there was ever anything such as the perfect green onion wrap each time, she can do it, nothing overpowers the other in each and every bite, though I could do without her gravy.
I get it when there is that "one dish" but really here, everything is so homogenous when it comes to the food, that there is nothing that really stands out. :D
We have actually scaled ours down over the years because we realize there is just too much food. I think each person gets one of their favorite things.
Hosting dinner for family is such a lot of work. We have ad hoc family get togethers whenever someone fancies having people round. Five siblings and partners is 10 people min, plus whoever's kids come. Recently we've simplified on the cooking so the host can spend a bit more time with everyone else.
Luckily my siblings all spend Christmas with their own family and kids, otherwise we'd be talking of 30+ people!!!
Good luck hosting dinner this year. You'd better get the apron on now!!
Simplified cooking is the way to go. A bit of potluck helps too :)
I don't have any family here - this is all on my wife's side. We host every second year because the "off year" is when the older kids go to their wife/husband places.
I cook in the nude.
I hope roast potatoes in goose fat isn't on your menu!!
I would love to experience snow, unfortunately it doesn't fall here in my region.
I would say we don't really have uptight traditions as regards Christmas meals. It's usually rice and chicken. No missing they. Lol. Oh salad too. The rice could be prepared in various ways, either fried, jellof, or white rice with tomato stew, sauce or peppersoup. My favourite is always jellof rice. 😅
Merry Christmas and do have an amazing holiday.
Do you think you ever will? It wasn't common where I grew up either, though I had visited a couple places where there was snow too. Quite a drive!
Rice and chicken sounds good. Do you normally eat spicy food?
Unexpected thing always brings joy. But people these days are more into following the old tradition without trying anything new..the scene is same here too.... the There is nothing unique that bring excitement on the festival...I guess the vibes are fading
Is it a family gathering or friends circle?
I love to see family coming together and preparing for the occasion. We (40 odd member,) usually go out for picnic either on Christmas day or new year day. Everyone contribute in their own way. The atmosphere is much better than just visiting and enjoying with wine and food.
Family only here. In Australia, it was often a barbecue kind of thing with friends too. But here, it is pretty strict.
This sounds like a great day. I wish there was more of this culture here. I get it for Christmas though, as it is definitely an indoor event, but it doesn't even happen in the summer here.
We have different food every year for Christmas. What doesn't change is that it is always at our house. Parents are too old to host now. Our son is too young and single and my wife's older brother doesn't like to host and his trophy girlfriend is absolutely useless, doesn't even help put the food on or clear her own dish....
:D :D
This was the best bit. But, aren't trophy girlfriends meant to be useless outside the bedroom?
I think you are correct there :) She is tall and skinny and almost twenty years younger than him. Kind of annoying to have that ballast around, she doesn't help, doesn't have much to say, just sits there eats and then gets on her phone...
Our foods are sort of the same dishes each year, with some variation. I know the wife is not cooking as much as she normally does this year. I agree though, variety does make for better memories, even if the food is a fail.
I don't mind some of the same dishes - but it is more the attitude toward it - if that makes sense. It is like the effort is in the keeping the things the same, rather than spending time together.
I get it. That would drive me nuts. To me that is what the holidays are all about is being together. Luckily for us, the oldest and his wife are able to come in for the holidays, as will my father-in-law. We will have a packed house, which will be good.
I have never eaten things like sushi or a burger. Maybe I should try them at some point. But so far I prefer pizza. My favorite basketball team has an interesting tradition- player who scored the last points in reaching 100 points buys sushi for the team.
Never had a burger? That is strange isn't it? :D Sushi I understand - but I love sushi. Been eating it for many years. I would like to teach my daughter to make it.
That is a cool tradition.
My mother tried eating sushi one time but did not like it.
True, even though being familiar can feel nice, it can also get boring. I think that mixing things up in the kitchen could really improve those family times and help make unforgettable memories.
I reckon cooking together would be fun also. Or - drinking some wine while others cooked.
We are used to and like traditions. But along with celebrating our traditions, we should also cherish and follow the principles or traditions in our hearts. Sharing food with everyone is great. And most importantly, spending time with family strengthens the bond between family members. Best wishes.
What is your favourite food for the holidays you celebrate?
Perhaps next year you could secretly add a few new dishes, like veggie lasagna or tacos for a fun little twist on the traditional menu? 😋 The new tastes could spark great stories and wonderful memories❤️ Hope your Christmas is overflowing with warmth, joy, laughter, and true holiday spirit. Blessed Christmas🎄
I wish it was possible - but any deviation would be met with scorn.
Cheeers