My family celebrates Christmas in the European tradition on Christmas Eve. Our evening has been honed over a great many years. After quite literally days of food preparation we sit down to a massive smorgasbord of delicious food. There are salads galore, cold meats, cheeses, and being Australia in summer we also indulge in seafood. There is so much food that we have to extend the dining table!
Champagne provided by my brother-in-law is raised in a toast, a photo is taken and we dig right in.
After we are stuffed beyond any polite level and belts have been loosened, we move to the Christmas tree to exchange gifts. Every year we say that will be restrained, that hasn't happened yet! Present after present is unwrapped, much laughter is shared as our old dog helps with the unwrapping. In her puppy days unwrapping presents was one of her favourite things but now in old age it is more of a token effort.
The night wraps up with pavlova and reflections on what extremely privileged and lucky lives we live.
Christmas is a time to share, to laugh and to love. This Christmas Eve has been all that.
Merry Christmas to all!
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