December the Tange-Gérard way

The end-of-the-year parties approach.

In fact, we are some who have been in the partyfeeling all of December because we all like it. All sorts of countdowns are used: tebag-calendar, special candle, small presents every morning for the children who still in their teens can’t imagine it any different.

Special treats

Danes - or some of us at least - have been raised with Christmas as a time of getting together all through the month of December. Very often around seasonal treats liked mulled wine and “æbleskiver”, a Danish speciality that comes out this time of the year.

In France, the tradition is oysters and canard, very fortunate as it matches champagne so much better. This year we have enjoyed Solliage 2013 with oysters from Normandy.

Music and decorations

In our family, nothing brings the feeling of Christmas better than the big brass band of young and old musicians joining forces for a 45 minute concert of the best carols in front of the Cathedral at the Reims Marché de Noël.

The big ferriswheel is maybe not particularly x-massy but it has become a tradition as well. The view is spectacular. Outdoor decoration like the huge icicles of the hotel d’Angleterre and the pixiebonnets of the Nile are Copenhagen creations. Reims is not there yet.

X-mas afternoon

For many years we have tried to initiate some good x-mas feeling in a afternoon for friends, relations, family and whoever happen to be around. The proof that mulled wine tastes much better than vin chaud and the day we feed ourselves cookies and æbleskiver beignets and we may create a little x-massy decoration for our own tree at home.

Nothing confirms the way the idea echoes better than when we all manage to sing a few songs together - in a country where it does not come natural to people to sing out loud - whilst we light candles on our tree. Obviously brought back from Denmark since we are around with a van anyway this time of the year.

Wishing you all…

Now we would like to wish you all a Merry X-mas and a Happy New Year.

With or without X-mas, you may find the time, will and cheer to enjoy some good moments with your dear ones.

Solveig & Alain