The lead-up to a northern-hemisphere Christmas is something splendid to behold. While I did miss that end-of-the-year-winding-down-for-a-long-hot-summer feeling that I typically associate with Christmas back home, I will say that I felt truly inundated with festive cheer by the time the (much shorter than desired) Christmas break rolled around. This was aided of course by the fact that over night (around Advent Sunday), each and every shop front was adorned with pleasing lights and ornate decorations. Giant Christmas trees magically sprouted up around town (I suspect elves were responsible…), and there was not a window to be found that did not contain a traditional Swedish seven candle menorah. And who can forget the arrival of Julmust to store shelves, a spicy cola typically enjoyed by Swedish children (and us!) around this time of the year. And while this would be our first Christmas away from family and friends, it wouldn’t stop us from hosting our traditional holiday party (5 years and still going strong). A handful of office-mates (those who had planned to remain in Lund over the season) squeezed into our living room to enjoy some cheesy food and even-cheesier Christmas music. What a success!

Swedes celebrate Christmas on the 24th, so we felt extremely fortunate to be invited to spend our Christmas eve with the family of one of Ash’s work colleagues. We enjoyed a hearty lunch at their family home in the countryside town of Höör. Christmas day was just the two of us, at home, in our pajamas, preparing our feast for two. Breaking from tradition only slightly, Ash prepared a whole goose and a slow roasted joint of pork. I was in charge of the pumpkin pie and assorted sides. And of course, no Banting Christmas feast would be complete without a hefty helping of New York style cheesecake. It. Was. Scrumptious.

Since having cooked enough to feed a small infantry division, over the next few days we revelled in the splendor also as known as Christmas-leftovers. Eventually, having polished the lot, we found our way out of the house, deciding to use the last few days between Christmas and New Year to explore the Southern-most part of Skåne. So we headed down to Skanörs, a popular holiday destination for Swedes during the summer months, but which was now, almost completely deserted. News year’s eve we were back in Lund as Ash had to work, but we managed to take in a mid-night fireworks display at Lundagård, which exceed my expectations 100 fold. A great way to start of what will hopefully be another great year! God Jul och Gott Nytt År till alla!