A lot goes into the preparations for Christmas celebrations. Christmas celebrations have become a celebration for everyone in many countries. Christmas celebrations are not just about food, they are also about music. Last week when I caught up with some old friends, one of them who is in charge of a choir said that she has had many choir engagements this year, even after Christmas Day since the Christmas period starts on Christmas Eve and lasts for 12 days.
Perhaps New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day come too soon without us having much time to plan the celebrations, but the Christmas celebrations can serve to give us ideas.
Anne Lise, who is now in Paris, always plans her celebrations elaborately. I have always looked at the photos she sent me with amazement, because she has been cooking like a chef since her students days, and cooking is just a hobby that she has a passion for. She has been abroad for several years and has been cooking in rented accommodation with limited space and appliances. The featured image is of a recent meal she cooked for a celebration with friends. “I cooked a dinner for my friends on Saturday. Lots of planning for the menu, which features Asian and New York City influences… the highlight was caviar and fried chicken, inspired by one of my favorite restaurants in New York City (Coqadaq) – I also made whipped ricotta toast, inspired by another of my favorite Italian restaurants (Misi). The tableware and settings were all inspired by Pinterest and it was a lovely time. I also made a strawberry matcha tiramisu because I don’t have an oven in my Paris studio so everything must be no-bake now…”
Menu:
appetizers:
* Ricotta toast
mains:
* fried chicken + caviar
* peanut cold noodles
* Savory broccoli salad
* Chili cucumber salad
* Ramen eggs
dessert:
* matcha strawberry tiramisu
Belinda’s homemade Christmas dinner just for the family was a formal dinner. Baked ham, ribs and chicken are a good alternative to turkey, which honestly is too big a bird for a family, unless you have a big family or will have leftover turkey in different forms for several days. Pumpkin soup is always a favourite. Family meals are special. They create memories and family traditions. Children grow up much too quickly, and soon form families of their own. It’s never too late to start creating family traditions and legacies.
Christina cooked a Teochew dish called Siok Chye, under her husband’s supervision, for her mother’s birthday. For Christmas Eve she cooked beef stew with the help of her daughter and her husband. The memories of special meals are always accompanied by the memories of those we shared them with. Sometimes the most simple meals leave the deepest impression.
Wishing you a Happy New Year. May the new year be the start of many new family traditions and legacies. (I am using Anne Lise’s photo of her toast).
By Chayo, HomSkil Editor 1, 28 December 2025
HomeBlog by HomSkil 