I'm In!

Neat, I don't think I've ever had my wishlist go public before ;) I kind of like the all around surprise aspect of the giveaway though - and the stuff you two want everyone chatting about is stuff I LOVE to blab about ;) So what the heck!

I generally like the "old time classic" Christmas songs from the U.S. Like the '50s / '60s / '70s Bing Crosby Dean Martin sort of stuff. But I THINK this one might be my all time favorite...

Dominick the Donkey!


As for food - I usually "do the Holidays" - my extended family has a set Christmas Eve that's been the same for AGES but the last 5 - 7 years or so I've had my immediate family for Christmas (and often a couple few extras thrown in). I really don't have a favorite and "traditional" main course - I usually try to do something a bit unusual / decadent but not too extreme - the sort of stuff you're probably not eating on a weekly basis (at least in the US!).

Last year I did a leg of lamb rubbed with a ton of aromatic "Christmasy" spices and then braised. It was sort of my take on a kapama. It was pretty good, but I somehow managed to dry it out a bit - I was hoping it would almost fall off the bone like US BBQ but didn't quite get there - any pointers would be MUCH appreciated!

I was thinking of doing scallops and risotto this year but I was talking to my mom about Christmas and she mentioned a Beef Wellington. It was sort of my "On Deck" choice so the fact that she had it in mind kind of pushed me in that direction. I did one for Christmas like 3 or 4 years ago so I think it's time to bring her back ;) And always have a small turkey / turkey breast and a lasagna of some sort too (plus assorted starch and veggies).

Anyway love the thread, will keep popping in from time to time.

Merry Christmas all!

Season's greetings, you Christmas Islanders and GOG community in general!

In my area of Portugal this is what a traditional Christmas looks like: This is a commercial for an olive oil, and the song is not a Christmas specific tune (but it is traditional). I'll see if I can find some local Christmas tunes.

We usually eat boiled dry cod with cabbage (that you see in the clip). I understand it does not sound too yummy, but it is nice if you are not a fancy person. And I think the recipe is just like it sounds: leave the cod in water overnight, to take some salt away, put the cod and cabbage and some sliced garlic in a pan (pressure cooker, perhaps), boil it, serve with a lot of olive oil.

Some people go with the turkey.

I'll try and add some songs and recipes (for sweets, perhaps) tomorrow.
(Should Santa came by my chimney carrying a GOG code, I would welcome him — and that reminds me of a story I'll see if I can add here to the thread. Thanks. I hope this will summon the spirit of Christmas.)

EDIT:
This is the most "traditional" Christmas song in Portugal. As you can quickly understand, it is not that old. And the lyrics are just as silly and "light" as they can be. No real content in there, just sugar coated happy thoughts.

There is so many traditional recipes (also depends on region) and songs (kolend) that I wouldn't even know where to start, I'm also not very good at cooking... the basic rule is there should be 12 dishes on the Christmas table and one of them must be a carp. :)

That said, I really like that one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He4my9kjuEc (though I loved this one when I was kid. :) )

Maybe I will try to post some recipe but I would have to consult it with someone more knowledgeable (read: my mom :P)

But yea, reading this thread make me realize how little I know about Christmas in different countries.
Also, why not, you can count me In. :)

Thank you for this festive giveaway, I'm in for it!

There's a lot of Christmas songs I love, but I have to say my favorite is Let it Snow and I always enjoyed listening to What Child is This because I always found it beautiful in a melancholy way. I think the Trans Siberian Orchestra version is awesome too.

As for food, my favorite Christmas time dessert is marzipan with eggnog. The kind I eat is made with peanuts instead of almonds, and I prefer it over the almond version, since that's what I grew up with. Ever since I was a kid, I always wanted to have this during the holidays. I imagine it was the cause of some cavities I had, but man was it worth it. And as an adult, I found a shot of french brandy in eggnog makes it great and warming on a cold night

Lovely idea! It's gonna be fun learning some new recipes and checking out the songs.

Personally, I really like Don't shoot me Santa by The Killers. I just think it's a funny depiction of Santa Claus and his job XD. I noticed it got posted before, so I hope it's alright.

Lastly, I'm in for the giveaway!

Happy holidays, everyone!

well, the only chrismast song that cross my mind I'm IN btw

[edit]
sorry I have to put the link in comment since due to my rep I'm not allowed to post link

Wait wait...... So Am I blind or nobody has linked this one before?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ElD4fiS-WU

Okay, I'll add in some games.

That is amazingly obnoxious! And I already have small children in my house who do that kind of thing on their own. I don't need no youtube version!

https://i.imgur.com/jlDhEqP.gif

You're cracking me up. Merry Christmas!

As they say, one picture is worth a thousand words - I've found some short BBC material "how the Christmas Eve looks in Poland": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YB_rYaNd5Qo

In Polish tradition there are a lot of Christmas carols, and by "a lot" I mean that it could be more than in any other country. One of the most beautiful ones is "Lulajże Jezuniu": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1JxXZvkLDo

Here are more Polish carols in one video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Syo9wn-Ow8I

I'm in for GA. :)

I'm in with a Christmas Log Cake Recipe!

Ingredient:
4 yolks
20g castor sugar
30g vegetable oil
30g milk
55g cake flour
15g cocoa powder
15g almond flour
4 whites
½ teaspoon vinegar
45g castor sugar

1. Whisk yolks and castor sugar till well combine. Add in vegetable oil and milk. Mix well.
2. Whisk in the sifted cake flour and cocoa powder. Follow by almond flour. Whisk till well combine.
3. In other bowl beat the whites till foamy. Add in 1/2 the castor sugar and vinegar. Continue beat till glossy. Add in the rest of castor sugar. Beat till stiff form.
4. Spoon 1/3 of the stiff whites into yolks batter. Fold to combine. Pour the yolk mixture into the remaining whites bowl. Fold till well combine.
5. Pour the batter into lined and greased swiss roll pan. Smooth the surface with scraper.
6. Bake in preheated oven at 180C for 15 minutes. Increase the temperature to 200C and bake further 3-4 minutes.
7. Once cooked, transfer the cake by lifting the baking paper to wire rack. Leave to cool about 5 minutes.
8. Invert the cake and gently remove the baking paper. With a knife cut 2 lines but the cake is still attached to each other. Spread the filling evenly on the surface. Leave 1-2cm remain unspread.
9. Hold the cake with both hands and roll gently. When the swiss roll is rolled up, make sure the ending portion facing downward. Keep the roll in the refrigerator at least 2-3 hours before use.

Doesn't look pretty, but it's delicious!

And ever since I had a niece and a nephew our Christmas Tradition is to go to Snow City to play with the snow.

Jingle Bells Singapore Carol

Yeah, I saw that one last year, as wel.. Brilliant, iisn't it? :) You eat kaasstengels during the Christmas season? We eat those all year long! good stuff :) Those sound brilliant, but the recipe might be a little too complex for me...
Happy Saint Nicholas day, then!
(Is that like Sinterklaas in the Netherlands?)
This. This, is right up my alley. Sounds easy and delicious :)