The smell of Christmas

"It's the most wonderful time of the year! It's the happiest season of all with those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings, when friends come to call."

This is how Edward Pola's and George Wyle's put it in their famous and quite accurate Christmas song.

Yes, it's Christmas time again! It is December, two advent wreath candles are already burning and the first Advent calendar doors with chocolate behind have already been opened.

Saint Nicholas' day is just over and Christmas comes soon. The only thing missing is the snow - like every year. So there is no possibility to build a snowmann, to skate or to ride the sleigh. But don't give up the hope, for I'm sure the content of the German song "Leise rieselt der Schnee" will become true one day.

Do you like Christmas as much as I do?

As the refrain of the song says, it's the most wonderful time of the year. But why?

Christmas appeals to all our senses: You can smell so many different fragrances from all the good food in the air. Gingerbread, baked apples, cinnamon stars, 'spekulatius' and all the selfmade biscuits taste so delicious. The only terrible aspect about them: you can't stop to eat. But this also is a part of Christmas, and the new year can train the spare tyre off.

And on our famous Christmas markets, there are some other good smelling and tasting meals, like tarte flambées or grilled sausages, together with a cup or two of hot Glühwein or punch. Everywhere you can hear Christmas songs which aren't getting off your mind. Bells are ringing together with sound of flutes and trumpets. You can see the stores overloaded with decoration as well as baubles in different colours and branches of fir at home. Especially the thousands of candles are making such a fascinating light and give youa feeling of warmth and safety. This is the most important aspect of Christmas: what you feel! All over the world, it is celebrated as a celebration of love. You spend time with people you love - family and friends. You don't care about the presents (don't you?), everybody wants to share and to only enjoy the most wonderful time of the year!

If you need some inspiration for cooking for this special season, have a look at our blog and our videos. Our project "cooking in the English-speaking world" has a little Christmas-break, too.