Christmas is a festival celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, the son of God. It is second most important Christian holiday. It is observed on December 25th, but many people celebrate it with a supper on December 24th, because this is when Jesus is believed to have been born. Let me give you a glimpse into the most common Christmas traditions and the best Christmas recipes to try out at Christmas.
The most cherished Christmas traditions
Visiting a Christmas market
The beautiful Christmas market tradition has come to Canada from Germany where every town and city boasts a Christmas market during the season. You can buy there delicious, home-made goods like pastries, sweets and chocolates, preserves or pickles and Christmas decorations and handmade gifts.
Going to a holiday festival or parade
Christmas festivals and parades are common in Canadian cities and towns. Many of these occasions happen as early as November and as late as after Christmas Day to keep the holiday spirits high all season long. The Santa Claus Parade in Toronto is one of the most spectacular ones. It is attractive because it features floats, marching bands, and Santa Claus. There is also a Christmas tree lighting at Celebration Square and Streetsville in Mississauga, as well as many others across the country.
Decorating the Christmas tree
Decorating a Christmas tree is a staple Christmas activity. Some people venture out to a Christmas tree farm to buy a fresh Christmas tree, and some stick to an artificial one. They decorate it with lights, balls, garlands, angels, bows and many other Christmas decorations. Decorating a Christmas tree is a wonderful family activity that both kids and adults really enjoy. Some people decorate their tree a month before and some do it as close to Christmas as Christmas Eve.
Decorating the house
Canadians are big on decorations. Some put up a nativity scene, some don’t, but almost everyone decorates the house for Christmas. They light up candles, weave a garland on stair railings, hang a wreath on the doors, hang stockings around the fireplace and place Santa Claus or nutcracker figurines around the house.
Attending a midnight Christmas mass
Canada is a predominantly Christian nation, so many Canadians spend Christmas Eve at church. The most popular mass among the Roman Catholics as well as the Orthodox is the midnight mass. Most churches in Canada welcome parishioners and visitors for their annual Christmas service. People sing Christmas carols and admire beautifully decorated Christmas trees and festive flowers put up at that time at many beautiful churches throughout Canada.
Singing Christmas carols
Christmas is a joyful holiday, so people gladly sing their hearts out both at church and at home. Many families hold a singing session before they sit to their Christmas Eve dinner. It both lifts the spirit and adds to the festive and slightly formal atmosphere of the holiday. Some Christmas carols have international versions, like the famous Silent Night, or Carol of the Bells.
Making a ginger house with family
Many people make or decorate a ginger house for Christmas. Some bake the house themselves and some, perhaps, the more busy ones, simply buy a gingerbread house kit and follow directions to assemble and decorate it. Those who opt for the real deal, can enjoy the benefit of a delicious treat after a few hours of labour.
Baking Christmas cookies
Christmas is a time of generosity, so many people devote their time and effort to make their family happy. Making cookies together can be a great bonding experience and a delicious sweet.
Gifting presents
Sharing presents is another exciting Christmas tradition. Most people like to present their friends and family with something special for Christmas. People often get out of their way to surprise their loved ones and see the smile on their faces.
The best Christmas recipes
Canadian Christmas food is somewhat similar to the Thanksgiving food and many of the Thanksgiving recipes can be adapted to be enjoyed at Christmas. However, Canada is a country of immigrants and everybody has their own twist on Christmas food. Because I am of Eastern European origin, I favour Polish Christmas food. Here are some of the recipes that I grew up with.
Beet broth with mushroom tortellini
This is one of my favourite soups ever! It is simple, satisfying and delicious. I buy my mushroom tortellini hand-made by a Polish lady that prepares them with wild mushroom picked from a forest. Here is a simple recipe for red borscht.
Potato Salad
Potato salad is comfort food for many people. There are many different variations of the salad. I really like the kind that incorporates many vegetables rather than just potatoes, so you can really call it a vegetable salad. Here is a recipe that is similar to the one that I make. A little tip here is to add two tablespoon of Russian mustard to make it a bit spicier.
Carp baked in butter and flour
As many Christians do not eat meat on Christmas Eve, an idea of fish may be attractive. A carp maybe an exotic option for many, but its flavoursome, delicate meat is something that I look forward to every year. It is bought a week before Christmas, frozen with a fair amount of salt and defrosted for Christmas Eve. This procedure softens the fish and helps get rid of the muddy taste. It is first fried in a coat of flour in butter and then baked in the oven and it is mouth watering. The bird can be paired with the potato salad or mashed potatoes.
Some common Canadian Christmas dishes
Christmas turkey
Many Canadians have turkey on Christmas Day (December 25th). There is a number of variations on how to prepare the big bird. Here are some of the best ones. The best turkey I have ever tried is one made in an oil turkey fryer.
Spiced Christmas Ham
This is my first year serving ham and I am planning to use Martha Stewart’s recipe for Spice-Rubbed Fresh Ham with Citrus Glaze. I am really looking forward to it.
Potatoes
Scalloped Potatoes, mashed potatoes, baked or sweet potatoes are a nice addition to Christmas dinner.
Salad
A variety of salads can be served with the turkey or ham. Caesar, mixed greens with beets and feta or a Tri-Color Salad are great sides to complement the Christmas dinner.
Bon appetit!
and ….Merry Christmas!