As a small child most of my family gathered to celebrate Christmas at my grandparents place. They lived in a flat at the third floor; my aunt, uncle and cousin lived right below them in another flat, and around the corner in the same block lived yet another aunt and uncle.

All this family get-together was so very cozy for a child. I lived with my parents some distance away, and as we didn’t have a car, we had to use our legs. In the summer we cycled, and in the winter we walked. Christmas Eve we put all the Christmas presents in several bags and wrapped ourselves in warm clothes, and then we trudged off in the high snow (at that time it was always snowing at Christmas of course …;-)).

I was filled with anticipation for the upcoming evening. I was looking forward to the gifts, and I loved all the family fun I grew up with. When we approached my grandparents building, I could see the lighted candles in the windows, and they shone so warmly and welcoming in the dark.

My grandparents had only two rooms, but where there is a will, there is a way, even if we always were 12-14 people at Christmas. Everyone was seated around the dining table, which was extended to a degree where it almost filled the whole room, and then we had the traditional dinner of roast pork and rice pudding with a small gift for the lucky one, who found the hidden almond.

The only two children – me and my cousin – were seated in the couch after dinner and given a little goodie bag, before the gifts were handed out. That was probably a wise way of distraction, and we loved our goody bags. We were not used to sweets at the time, so it was something special.

Everyone had several gifts, and afterwards we played picture lottery or bingo. And eventually all the adults were offered a good night drink … but at that time I had usually fallen asleep on the couch…

Photo: ©  Mia Folkmann