We're all supposed to be looking forward to 2011, but I'm going to use these last few hours of 2010 to look back even farther... to the kinds of festivities my family have every year to celebrate Christmas and the New Year. This year's been a bit different; I'm in Barcelona (which is great, don't get me wrong) and my family were in the upheaval of moving over the Christmas season. Things will be a bit different but equally fun in the future I'm sure, but here's a little look back at some of my favourite festive moments...
Christmas dinner got a bit surreal last year after my grandfather got a headlamp for a present. My uncle keeps his best straight face. It's terrible getting old.
Flaming Christmas pudding!
Me and my two fantastic sisters. Paper crowns are mandatory!
On New Years' Eve we usually play board games over endless bottles of wine and sparkling wine.
Some people are suspected of being devious.
Some people are suspected of being drunk.
Some are just confused as to what all the fuss is about.
At all festive occasions for the last several years, our family friend opens the bubbly and Shona stands with the waiting glass. We're big traditionalists. It's never going to be any other way.
Then everybody makes sure there is an exactly equal distribution of liquid between the glasses. Our friend evens them out with a spoon. Newcomers sometimes say, "Oh, never mind, I'll take the one with less." That is not the point. They must be equal. And then we all stand around making mock-pretentious comments like, "you can definitely taste the slight hint of rosehip and saskatoonberry on the palate."
Sometimes, guitars are brought and old folk songs are played...
And others sing along.
There's a constant at every party: Shona always falls asleep on the couch.
Always.
Absolutely always.
Happy New Year Everyone! It's been great getting to know you all, and I'm looking forward to "seeing" you all again in 2011!
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