gardener wrote:Ours doesn't go up until the 24th! And then the lights can't be switched on until 6pm which is officially when Christmas begins here. Personally I still have to fake enthusiasm until I wake up on the 25th!
I went to a Nine lessons and carols service this afternoon. It is held in the biggest church which was appropriate when the American airbase sent bus loads of people to it. Now there are far fewer who turn out and even fewer who actually dare to sing. The choir has improved a lot mind you.
The various embassies take turns to organise it and have a "do" afterwards. I went to the British one once and vowed never again but apparently the americans make more of an effort with food and drinks.
Anyhow, the tree stays up til Twelfth Night and by then it is dried-out and falling to bits as despite good intentions I always forget to water it
It's traditional in Denmark that it shouldn't go up until Christmas Eve (well it's ready for the kids when they get up on the 24th), but seeing as we don't have kids and I tend to take it down before New Years Eve (if we're having guests) then I like to get my moneys worth! I do remember to water it the first week or so, it's really thirsty when it first goes up!
We'll be celebrating Christmas Eve too, eating at my brother in law's in the evening with presents afterwards. I finally find out why the Scandanavians are ahead of themselves - it's because in Viking times the day started at sunset, so the 25th started when the sun went down on the 24th.
Don't know if we're going to the Christmas service though, the churches are usually packed out on Christmas Eve (usually middle of the afternoon), I find it a bit disapointing as all the tunes are different. I mean at a wedding there is a hymn that is sung to the tune of "Once in Royal David's City" - really wierd when the wedding is in June!!!
I quite like Christmas here, it's still commercial, but somehow they seem to cut through all the "BS". I don't mind getting my presents on the 24th, and I absolutely love the usual roast duck and special rice pudding (cold with loads of whiped cream, vanilla, almonds and warm cherry sauce).
