Christmas Eve has its own dynamics. Each family spends this day completely differently. Someone still has to go to work, someone travels to visit loved ones, someone from the morning decorates the tree, watches fairy tales, and someone else finishes cleaning or finishes baking. But once evening comes, the day takes on a completely different feel.Everything is shimmering, gourmet aromas are mingling in the air, people are nicer and more attentive to each other, and time seems to slow down.Today, we're going to give you a few tips on how to make this day even more special and enhance the festive atmosphere.
1/ Return to tradition
Are you in the habit of slicing an apple after dinner, decorating children's foreheads with a honey cross, throwing nuts in corners or leaving money under the tablecloth? Don't you? It's time to start. Christmas traditions are memories, experiences that last in a family for generations. With traditions, we return to our roots and move away from the commercial world.
Traditions abound in our region. For example, the book The Slovak Year of Folk Customs, Ceremonies and Holidays by Katarína Nádaská can be an inspiration. Alternatively, local customs can be found on the Internet.
If no tradition suits you, make one up and introduce it only in your family. You will create a value that will be passed on from generation to generation and will be characteristic only for your family.
2/ Get in the Christmas spirit with lights
Take a walk after dark. Whether you decide to take a walk before dinner or as part of a health walk to digest after dinner, try looking for Christmas lights. Walking down a street full of lights will brighten up the evening even more.
You too can be a carrier of lights in the streets. Take sparklers or a lantern, bring light into the darkness. You'll see how magical it can be.
You can also bring light into your home from church, for example. Have you ever had a real Bethlehem light in your home? The Bethlehem Light is the flame burning in the cave of Bethlehem, where tradition says Jesus Christ was supposedly born. Every year, the Scouts take the Light of Bethlehem to towns and villages all over Europe, as well as overseas. Come to church and light this special flame in your own home.
3/ Pull out your old photo albums
When was the last time you quietly browsed through photos from your youth? Did your children or grandchildren see their great-grandmother in a skirt, in the garden with a hoe? Physically touching a printed photograph seems to trigger a series of memories and associated stories. Remember the good stuff, laugh together. Old photo albums evoke a relaxed atmosphere.
4/ Sing a carol together
You don't have to practice or be a professional singer to sing at least one carol together. You'll see how it will make your evening more enjoyable. After all, music and joy bring people together.
5/ Make someone else happy
Bring cakes to an abandoned neighbour, put a Christmas card in a lonely classmate's mailbox, let the children sing a carol to an elderly couple who don't have grandchildren yet. Share your joy with others. Sharing is enriching.
6/ Festively screen
Pull out the prettiest plates, glasses, cutlery. Berndorf has a wide range of quality cutlery, glassware from Rona, or fine china. As a new addition to the range we have quality, branded, Seltmann Weiden Christmas porcelain made in Germany. You can buy it in person in our stores in Žarnovice or Trnava.
Set the table according to the rules of dining. Culture of Dining (Culture of Dining (@kultura_stolovania) - Photos and videos on Instagram)
7/ Match the toast with the speech
Giving thanks for good health, a bountiful dinner, a beautifully decorated house, or a year well managed, warms everyone at the table. A heartfelt confession, saying words or pleasantries that aren't out of the ordinary will make the atmosphere even more special. Distraught, you can accept the festive dinner with humility.
We hope we have made you feel comfortable and inspired. We wish you an exceptional Christmas Eve, surrounded by your loved ones in good health.
Happy holidays from the Berndorf team.
