Familiar Items, Colours, and Rituals Around Christmas

December 1, 2020December 15, 2023 CM

For me, red is still the Christmas color. It is fir tree green with red candles, apples, Santa’s robe, the nutcracker in his uniform, Christmas balls and so much more. When you think of a cozy Christmas, it is often the familiar decorations and rituals you know from your childhood that give you a feeling of comfort in the middle of winter. It is beloved traditions that we take with us when we leave home. And when we find a partner, rituals from two background become new traditions.

I am incredibly grateful that Klaus loves Christmas as much as I do. He is from Hamburg, I from Switzerland, and after more than twenty years of marriage and living in Vancouver, we developed our own traditions for the Christmas season. The celebrations begin every year in late November when the Christmas market opens. And every visit to the Christmas market begins with a cup of Feuerzangenbowle (alcoholic drink for which a rum-soaked sugarloaf is set on fire and drips into mulled wine), however not this year. We will also not be able to entertain. Something we love to do especially in December. As a welcome drink Klaus likes to create his own version of classic. And with everything he does, he does not give up until it’s perfect. Even if it means driving around town to find completely clear sphere shaped cocktail ice. Just because most of us cannot host Christmas parties this year, does not mean you have to abstain from a beautifully composed cocktail. Start mixing! Here you find some Christmas cocktail ideas with recipe.

Christmas Old Fashioned

You’ll need some cranberry syrup, angostura bitters, sugar, cranberries, an orange wedge and of course, a good quality whisky.

Run a drop of syrup around the top of your glass and dip into sugar before starting.

Gently crush a small handful of cranberries and place them in the glass. Add in a measure of whisky and a dash of cranberry syrup. Top up your glass with the angostura bitters and give it a stir.

Garnish with a slice of orange and it’s ready to serve.

See here for more cocktail recipes. CHEERS!