Jennifer’s Take on the Christmas “This — Or That” Challenge 🎅🎄
Another Medium Game — Happy December!
Yesterday, Paul Walker invited me to this fun challenge. But while reading his story, I set my sights on his beautiful Christmas tree…. 👈
All right, said, done! Here are my answers. 🎅☃️
1. Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
I can answer that very easily. When it comes to Christmas, it’s definitely Christmas Eve.
In Germany, children get their presents on Christmas Eve, after the incredibly long day of the 24th has finally passed with cleaning and tidying the whole place.
December 25 and 26, on the other hand, are holidays. Some families get together there for dinner again, but ultimately these two days don’t have too much significance — except in vacation planning.
However, in our family, the 25th is also a very special day!
Exactly 30 years ago was an extraordinary Christmas for us. That was when I was 10 and my sister Jessica was 5.
I had received a Playmobil pirate ship “from the Christ Child” and Jessi a Barbie house. Our parents built the things with us — and didn’t let any of us notice what was about to happen.
In fact, we kids didn’t know at the time that our mom was already in labor!
At some point, our parents put Jessica to bed, and then I was clued in. The baby was on the way! And I was tasked with watching my little sister, who was now asleep, while my dad went to the hospital with my mom.
I could barely sleep at the time and spent the night on the living room couch, the phone right next to me on the table.
The following day she was born, our dear Katharina, who celebrates her 30th birthday this year!
2. Santa or No Santa?
For us, it wasn’t Santa who brought the presents, but the Christ Child.
As children, we always had to wait in our room while our parents prepared everything — believing that the Christ Child would be there. And we didn’t dare come out until the magic bell rang.
The moment of the “Bescherung” (when the gifts are handed over) was always very magical, for which I am grateful to my mom to this day. I know it was always very important to her to give us kids that experience. And I am also grateful to my father (may he rest in peace), who also always took great efforts on Christmas Eve.
3. Naughty or Nice?
I do not understand the question? 😅
4. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?
Without a doubt — hot chocolate.
I do not like alcohol and never drink. But even when I was drinking alcohol from time to time, I didn’t like eggnog. I tried it once and never again.
However, if alcohol is drunk at all at Christmas, people here tend to think of mulled wine rather than eggnog.
My drink of choice would be a delicious tea with some honey in it though. 🥰
5. Velvet or Fur?
Well, I am fascinated by the Middle Ages, Vikings, and the North in general, so the fur is obvious. However, I wouldn’t want extra animals slaughtered for it — not in this day and age.
Back then, it was probably different when people hunted animals in the wild for food and winter clothing. There is a big difference to the factory farming of today.
In short, I would never buy new fur. But if I had a nice, rustic house, I would probably look for alternatives to furnish it accordingly. However, in all likelihood, I will never own a house — and if I did, it would be more likely in Barranquilla. And it’s tropically warm there, so there’s no need for something like that.
6. Red or White?
I like both colors. But my favorite colors are actually red and blue. Like fire + ice, passion + silence, or hot + cold.
What happens when warm air meets cold air? Winds develop, maybe even storms! Thunderstorms develop! And this is what I feel inside myself. My emotions. I feel amazingly alive, wild, and dynamic.
A storm is like a reflection of myself, and that’s why I like red and blue.
7. Peppermint or Cinnamon?
When I was a kid, I really liked peppermint tea. Sometimes my grandma would also give me “After Eight,” a chocolate with peppermint cream in it.
Today, I think of cinnamon as a very practical alternative when I want to sweeten my yogurt with as few calories as possible. 😋
8. Frosty or Rudolph?
I don’t know Frosty, but yes, I like snowmen. However, my first thought for a snowman would be Olaf from Frozen. No wonder, my son is a huge fan of the Disney series. ❤️
Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer — yeah, that tells me something!
As I’ve mentioned in other stories, my dream is to one day travel to Finland, Rovaniemi. There are reindeer, too! And I’m looking forward like a little kid to seeing them and maybe even petting them. But even more, I am looking forward to the joy on Brian’s face.
9. Mistletoe or Mommy Kissing Santa Claus?
Neither one nor the other. As I said, there was no “Santa” at our house. But there was no mistletoe, either.
I also find the idea of being urged to kiss someone just because it’s customary a little disconcerting.
10. Real or Fake?
Regarding the tree — real! With a fake, I’m just totally missing the Christmas feeling, I may as well do without it completely.
If we had a garden, I would probably just keep a fir there, so at least we would not have to be cut down every year one.
However, we only get a tiny one anyway, simply because our small living room doesn’t allow for a bigger tree. Since we usually spend Christmas Eve at our parents’ house, that’s not a big deal. There is always a fairly large tree there.
11. Wrapped or Bagged?
Well, I still have gift paper that I bought at some point years ago in stock. Somehow it has been enough for me so far and will be for quite a while.
12. Home for the Holidays or Christmas Abroad?
I’ve had both and both were great. However, always in the presence of the people I love.
In fact, Christmas in Barranquilla had its own charm. It was already getting dark around 6 pm, but it was still warm. And people mainly celebrated outside on their patios.
One custom was to take a walk on Christmas Eve and visit friends and family along the way. Something that in Germany is clearly too cold to enjoy for several hours.
However, I love Christmas Eve here too. Less salsa, more thoughtfulness, and intimacy.
13. Prancer or Dancer
Since I have no idea what a “prancer” is, I’ll pass here.
14. “Let It Snow” or “Mele Kalikimaka”?
Unfortunately, I only know “Let it Snow”. 😅
15. Baubles or Garland?
I generally don’t decorate very much. Maybe it’s because I have very few practical skills.
While my sister Katharina gets the most amazing things done — be it crafting, baking, or making music — I, unfortunately, have two left hands! 😅
But I do like beautiful window pictures.
16. Gas or Wood-Burning?
If I had the choice, I would definitely heat with wood. However, since I’m only a renter, that’s up to the landlord. So we have always heated with oil.
But since we live in a poorly insulated old building, that’s usually not enough and there’s nothing left to do but turn on the electric heater from time to time.
Other alternatives:
- Drinking warm tea or coffee
- Wrap up in a few blankets
- Go on the treadmill and warm up
17. City or Rural?
I don’t have to think about it. Even without a car, I choose 100% rural.
Just yesterday, I wrote about research that contrasts traffic noise and birdsong. And indeed, traffic noise promotes depression, anxiety as well as paranoia.
No “comfort” in the city is worth subjecting one’s body and mind to such stress.
18. Turkey or Roast Beast?
Neither. On Christmas Eve there is only one true food and that is sausage with potato salad! I have even written a poem about potato salad, but unfortunately, it is in German.
In this potato salad, all kinds of ingredients come in such as eggs, apples, corn, or cucumber. It is regularly THE highlight. ⭐️
19. Elf or The Grinch?
The first time I heard of the “Grinch” was when the movie with Jim Carrey came out in 2000. I never saw that movie.
But elves also never played too big a role for us as children. After all, elves are Santa’s helpers, but the Christ Child came to us.
20. Cookies or Fudge?
Cookies of course! I do not particularly like caramel.
💬 At this point would actually come the tags. However, I do not want to pressure anyone and therefore invite “freely into the round” whoever would like to participate!
Let me know if you join the fun, I would love to read your answers!
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