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Christmas means Glühwein , at least for me. Don't know how popular it is in other countries but in Germany it's a no-brainer during the christmas time. It's basically a beverage usually made with red wine along with various mulling spices.
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zlaywal: For the recipe, here is a recipe for Kaasstengels. A Dutch influenced savory cookies. You can expect these available at houses on every religious festivities holiday. Eid, Christmas or else.
I'm glad we didn't just leave bad memories of colonization, but also something nice ;-)
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Sulibor: Makielki, in my humble opinion, is the tastiest regional Christmas dish. It consists of minced poppy seed mixed with honey, raisins, nuts and homemade noodles.
To prepare it you need to wash poppy seed and leave it in cold water for about 24 hours. Then you need to blanch it and mince it (or save yourself the trouble and buy it minced already :) ). To the minced poppy you need to add hacked raisins, figs, almonds and nuts and some honey. Then you need to prepare the dough for the noodles. The important thing is that the noodles should be shaped in thick stripes.
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skimmie: Ooh, this sounds good, too! Just curious to see if I can get the ingredients 'round here.
Fingers crossed.
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Ixamyakxim: 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!
Santa seems to think you've been good this year ! Apparently, there's a present in your stocking. :)
Christmas for me would typically be spending time with my ex-partner and our 2 children who will be 2 and 5 in the next month. A few weeks ago she stopped me seeing the kids and now I won't see them for Christmas or their birthdays. It's quite heart wrenching. I will be having a vegetarian Christmas dinner with my parents as Mum and sis are Veggie. We'll be having a nutroast, which I don't really like that much, it's alright, here's Jamie's recipe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llv-Jutv7zs

I might see my Aunt/Unc and cousins too, who I see once a year but are really good family. I feel embarrassed to see people knowing they know my ex dumped me and screwed me out of my house.

Thanks for your kind Giveaway anyway Skimmie and Pater
Post edited December 07, 2018 by supplementscene
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skimmie: Santa seems to think you've been good this year ! Apparently, there's a present in your stocking. :)
Awesome thank you so much! I've been dying to play this one for a while now - always loved the way those old school LucasAdventure visuals stood up, and I loved that it seemed the game offered more than the "usual" point and click (the screenshots showed you piloting a balloon and maybe even a sub?!?!). Pulling it right now (Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis for anyone curious).

The last "old school highly regarded adventure game" I played was Star Trek 25th (maybe a year or so back?). Totally held up, was a lot of fun and because I was never a big adventure gamer, I liked that the puzzles generally made "Star Trek sense" and not "adventure game sense" - it felt more like you were rewarded for being a Star Trek fan than knowing a lot about the genre.

So I'm hoping this is similar. And if not, kudos to GoG for including a hint book ;)

Thanks again skimmie / Pater! Now if you can only fill me in on how not to dry out my next leg of lamb...
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PMPMGamer: Thanks both for your generosity!

In my city there are a lot of Portuguese Christmas songs. As for example the music of this link:
A Todos Um Bom Natal (A Good Christmas Everyone)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXuH1AmbQLc

I just enjoy the bit of all Portuguese and international Christmas songs. As for example the international music of this link:
Jingle Bells
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CWJNqyub3o

A typical Christmas candy in my town is “Aletria” (Capellini).
Santa got the impression that you've been nice this year. He left something in your stocking. :)
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PMPMGamer: Thanks both for your generosity!

In my city there are a lot of Portuguese Christmas songs. As for example the music of this link:
A Todos Um Bom Natal (A Good Christmas Everyone)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXuH1AmbQLc

I just enjoy the bit of all Portuguese and international Christmas songs. As for example the international music of this link:
Jingle Bells
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CWJNqyub3o

A typical Christmas candy in my town is “Aletria” (Capellini).
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PaterAlf: Santa got the impression that you've been nice this year. He left something in your stocking. :)
Thank you very much for the gift! :)
Edit: not in :D

Pretty sweet idea guys :D. I will drop my two cents as well :D.

So my favourite Christmas song is the Bulgarian version of the well known " Silent night holy night". I always enjoyed it as a kid :D :D :D. Ehhhh memories ;(. The lyrics are of course somewhat different to its English original counterpart, nevertheless awesome :D :D :D.

Bulgarian version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJGvWEDSfAM&ab_channel=%D0%91%D1%8A%D0%BB%D0%B3%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%BF%D0%B5%D1%81%D0%BD%D0%B8

English original: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmioEzAZCVc&ab_channel=GeethanjaliKids-RhymesandStories

Bulgarian Text translation:

Silent Night Holy Night!
He sleeps in a straw basket
baby golden and holy,
but parents watch over it.
Sleep in heavenly rest!
Sleep in heavenly rest!
 
Silent Night Holy Night!
A young shepherd heard at midnight:
"Allyluia! Man, get up! "
Angel song gently ringing:
"God's son is born!
God's son was born! "
 
Silent Night Holy Night!
Sleep Christ in a straw hat.
Sleep, but a bright smile in the night
Rush peace and love over the world ...
Oh, our Savior!
Oh, our Savior!

AND NOW a little BONUS!!!! :D :D :D

Not many of you know and i hope it will be interesting for you, but one of the Witcher's 3 soundtrack songs is actually a remixed Bulgarian wedding song. :D :D :D That being "Steel for humans" :D :D :D :D

Here is the song from the soundtrack: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiSeoX_4nzU&ab_channel=LegendaryOST

I will copy and paste the translation and the cultural background explanation given by a fella countryman in the youtube
commentary section:

"[TRANSLATION + EXPLANATION]
Lazarus day is celebrated 8 days before Easter and is the biggest "spring/maiden" holiday. On it the rites and rituals of Lazaruvane are observed. There are various rites in the seven folk regions, but generally they all involve Lazarki - groups of young, unmaried girls. They visit the river, weave wreaths of flowers and go around the village houses and singing songs to the people of the home who greet them with bread and salt, honey and fruits and eggs for the upcomming Easter. It is also the time when boys are supposed to ask for a girl's hand.

The lyrics of the song are spoken from the point of view of the Elder woman leading the lazarki.

Raduvay se, raduvay. (4x)
[T](Be) joyful, joyful (x4)*

Oy Lazare, Lazare.
Tuka ni sa kazali -
[T] Hey, Lazarus, Lazarus
[T] They've told us (that) here

Kolko liste po gorach,
tolko zdrave na taz kyshcha.
[T] As many leaves in the forest
[T] So many health to this house

Tervo tuka doydome.
Moma momche naydеme*.
[T] Here we have come
[T] Girl (and) boy find (to bring together) (To find the girl a boy)

Ya* momata godete.
Ya* momcheto zhenete.
[T] (Hey, get) The girl engaged
[T] (Hey, get) The boy married.

NB. - Moma translates most accurately as maiden, however many translations preffer "(young) girl" or "woman", because the Balkan word lacks the Western European connotation of chivalry.
- Words marked with * sound olden and are not oft used in modern language.
- In gendered languages like Bulgarian there are two different words for marrige. Women "se omujvat" to a man and men "se ojenvat" to a woman.
- "Banana tiger" means banana tiger. Neither tigers nor bananas are found on the Balkan peninsula. :) ... Actualy the singer is saying something like "parara dam, parara dam dam". "
Post edited December 08, 2018 by obi4ammama
Wow a party and surprise giveaway, I'm in for the both :) ! Thanks, hugs and kisses to skimmie and PaterAlf! :)

One of my favourite traditional Croatian Christmas carols is "U to vrijeme godista" (or " U se vrime godista depending on the dialect). Usually we sing only first four strophes, but there are many more. Another very popular folk carol song in Croatia is "Radujte se narodi". There is also "Svim na zemlji" , "Narodi nam se", "Veselje ti navjescujem.

Besides of Croatian Carols I'm listening lot of of TSO Christmas songs; various Christmas metal covers like ones made by Tarja , Twisted Sister, Orion's Reign and Minniva etc. Also I recommend this parody made by Weird Al, and funny improv with Jack Black.

There are many links so I apologize if I have linked something wrong or have mixed up songs.

Carols are part of Christmas celebration, but not most important. It is about friends and family, also doing something charitable. I usually save on gifts by making most of them on my own and spend money to help someone in need. I'm also "evil" aunt which gifts no sweets but only healthy fruits to her nephews. To be sincere I give in sometimes and buy chocolate since I live in town with chocolate factory. Last few Christmases I had helped an elderly woman, but she moved to her family so I think I'll help one girl suffering form cancer or someone else depending on circumstances. Christmas is about joy, but also about sharing and reminding yourself to be bighearted as much you can every day, not just this part of the year.

I don't favour any Christmas meal. Branjo Hello has mentioned that sarma (sort of cabbage roll) is his favourite. They are one of my favourites also I think my mom's sarma's are the best even though I make quite good ones.
Post edited December 08, 2018 by xalegra
Thanks to everyone who has contributed or will be contributing to this thread!

I do have one request though; if you have not yet done so in your past posts, please do state if you're in or out of the GA.
Post edited December 08, 2018 by skimmie
I am in. My favorite Christmas song is Carol of the Bells because it's rather ominous sounding for a Christmas song which fits me because I go trick or treating on Christmas dressed up as Freddie. It scares all the carolers. Haha. No, but seriously, I first heard it as a kid and I thought: "Wait...this is a Christmas song? Neat." I love this version.

My Christmas traditions usually involve sleeping in and seeing snow outside while staying inside and watching Home Alone. Yes, that does mean that are no official celebrations, just another day off but I'll take it.

Thank you for the giveaway, skimmie and PaterAlf.
Post edited December 08, 2018 by vidsgame
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Braggadar: For a kiddie-friendly treat, I've provided a simple recipe good for the whole year. I've tried to provide enough details for the international audience, but likely they'll be some problems understanding what the ingredients are. I've provided alternatives at the bottom as well. Enjoy.

Rocky Road
You're on Santa's Nice list! There is a present in your stocking.
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Ixamyakxim: Thanks again skimmie / Pater! Now if you can only fill me in on how not to dry out my next leg of lamb...
Sorry, can't help you there. Maybe one of the more experienced cooks in this thread can help you out? :)
Post edited December 08, 2018 by skimmie
Thank you for the giveaway, I'm in :)

I can't imagine Christmas without greek-style fish. I like fish-based food in general, but I could eat this particular dish every single day.
On the other hand, I don't like traditional christmas carols, I prefer something like that ;)
My very first Christmas in college, i went to my roommate's extended family's house. One of my favorite times i've had was playing scrabble with him and his grandma eating a shit ton of tangerines. Honestly any time i went there it was a good time. I know christmas gets flak for being a commercialized holiday, but i really do love it. Especially if i'm lucky enough to spend it with people i actually care about. Out of all the places i've lived, America still has the best Christmas sporit overall. Ironically, all the other places use it more of a marketing thing despite hearing complaints about it mostl from Americans. I also like those cheesy Christmas songs as long as they aren't on repeat near me.

Blue Christmas is fun to sing with peeps, especially a couple beers down.

Anyways i usually watch Home Alone every Christmas. Just a classic.

I'm in for the giveaway, thanks for hosting guys!