It’s hard to imagine that we will be ushering 2012 in 3 days time, but I’m really looking forward to a brand new beginning, new challenges and new stories to share. Meanwhile, our Christmas this year was a quiet one. Usually we would have people over – either our immediate family (Mr. C’s side of the family of course) or my friend’s family for Christmas lunch. Christmas Eve is usually a quiet affair anyway, checking out the lights in the area, although this year, we decided to check them out a few days after Christmas.

I was still in bed, despite being already awake, at about 6:30am in the morning. and I could hear all three kids talking to each other in excitement over what’s in their Christmas stocking. We don’t normally hang the kids’ stockings where the tree is, instead, each of their stockings are hung on the door knob of their bedroom door. That way, it’ll be the first thing that greets them when they open the door in the morning. Master 6 was super excited exclaiming, “We got fongs! We got fongs!” As in…thongs! Then I heard some discussion about there not being lollies or chocolates in their stockings this year, unlike the previous years. Master 6 reassured (himself) the girls that it’s ok, because lollies and choclolates were bad for their teeth anyway, and that Santa cared about their teeth. Whilst Miss 9 reasoned that Santa probably knew that she had cavities previously and so there were no lollies or candies this year. Yes, very smart reasoning there Miss 9, Santa would be proud.

Then it was the mad rush downstairs, but not before Miss 9 telling her siblings to wait for Mummy to get up before opening the presents – sometimes, these kids really surprise me. So up I got, and went downstairs with them to check out their reaction to the presents. There were shrill screams of delight from all three as they each opened their presents. Miss 9, thrilled with her Monster High Hydration Station, which by the way…even I was excited about! Miss 8 was delighted with her Monster High doll and Master 6, his Toy Story Woody Doll (now Buzz has a mate!) and his Beyblades. There were books that they all wanted, so that they can read over the school holidays and Master 6 with his Lego head sorter, who ultimately thought it was cool but took a long time to sort…so yes, I had to help with the rest of the sorting.

Puff pastry breakfast boat

Breakfast was an easy puff pastry with egg combo, much like the one I shared on the Piquing my Pinterest “Food I Can Probably Make” edition. Instead of bread (we ran out!) I used some puff pastry instead. It was a winner all around. Then, it was time for me to get lunch prepped and ready to go.

The fresh mud crabs and ingredients all prepped by yours truly

As with the tradition I started a few years ago, I decided to go with Chilli crab, with noodles. We also had some grilled chicken wings – thank goodness the weather hadn’t turned yet so Mr. C got to use the BBQ outside and some deep fried shrimps – or more like Gambaretti.

Lunch is served!

Dessert, was a simple fruit cake with icing from Coles – yes I got a bit lazy and decided not to make any dessert in the end. The fruit cake was pretty good actually, especially when washed down with some Jacob’s Creek Sauvignon Blanc.

Finally, we had a little chill out time, watching some television…oh no..wait..almost forgot! The kids’ performance. Yes, we were not spared from their yearly Christmas “concert”. The three of them had an item each to showcase, whilst Mr.C and I sat there dazed and a bit confused at what was going on. But, entertaining and full of laughs as usual.

The weather outside got pretty dreary, with hailstorms in some areas; thankfully not where we were. We then chilled out, watching some Christmas movies that were showing on television, before heading out to the in-laws for a short visit. Dinner at home was some simple grilled chicken wings; left overs from lunch, some vegetables and rice. Overall, it was a blissful, simple and quiet Christmas, just the way I like it. No fuss about how to present the house or the need to keep everything in order, and I can eat without caring how I looked trying to attack the chilli crabs!

That was our Christmas celebration this year. How was yours? Did you have a big do with extended family, a quiet one, or did you go away?

The kids during Christmas morning in 2008

This year has been such a huge eye opener for me, when it came to Christmas traditions, all thanks to some pretty awesome bloggers, who have shared their traditions. You see, we only started celebrating Christmas when Miss 9 was about 4 (I think?)  and even then our “celebration” was to include a decorated tree and presents. Then as each year passed, we added a new “tradition” so to speak. Things like “special” food and in my case, I decided Chilli Crab with noodles, just to give it that Asian twist. Mr. C added some barbecue to bring in the Aussie BBQ side of Christmas.  And then we started inviting people over, first, it was my sis, who was at the time here studying. The next year, we had my in-laws and nieces, then the year after that, my friend who migrated from Singapore. But, all I’ve ever known about Christmas traditions from my Catholic or Christian friends were, they went to mass the night before (I think?), had a Christmas tree and presents. There were no mentions of baking cookies, making gingerbread houses, or…the Advent Calendar! This was the thing that I FINALLY understood about, thanks to Kate from Puddles & Gumboots.

When I first heard of it, I thought…umm…what’s so special about it? It’s just having a chocolate each day to mark the day that’s passed, inching closer to Christmas. But, it’s actually so much more than that. Then, I also learned about the “freaky” Christmas Elf, who got up to lots of mischief at times, whilst being there as a spy for Santa. Smart one!

It then occurred to me, all these baking, decorating the houses, the lights, the cards, the going to family’s houses for a feast is so much like – Hari Raya Aidilfitri or also known as Eid! Traditionally, where I’m from (Singapore in case you didn’t already know), in the lead up to Eid, we bake cookies, cakes, have our traditional set meals all ready for the big day. The decorating of houses with lights, new curtains, new almost everything, even some going as far as painting their house in the lead up to the day! Now that I’m here, I only do the baking and cooking bit and so far have invited my friends over for a feast. And that’s what all these celebrations are all about (when you take away the religious connotations) – being together and enjoying each other’s company. It’s about forgiveness, about being happy, being joyful, being in the moment. Yeah I know sounds cheesy but it’s true.

So I’d like to thank all my bloggy friends for sharing their Christmas traditions on their blogs. It has been such an eye-opener and also quite an adventure for me learning about the different traditions. Next year, I’m hoping to learn more about Hanukkah. I’ve heard they celebrate that for 8 whole days, with yes, food coming into play and also presents!!

For those of you who have been following and joining Tina with her Ooh…That’s Pinteresting (I’ve only done one), she’s now re-vamped it and re-named it “Piquing My Interest“. Basically, the same concept of sharing your favourite pins – whether you’ve got a theme or not it’s really up to you, and I think that’s the beauty of it – freedom to choose!

This week, I’ve decided to join in…why? Well, I’ve been on Pinterest lately and been pinning quite a few ideas that I think would be pretty interesting to make. One thing I do love to do  (sshhhh…don’t tell my kids this) is cook and bake! I think for me, that’s one of the “easiest” and most immediate “crafty” things that I can avoid messing up. On today’s Piquing My Interest, I’ve chosen to share with you images of food and desserts that I would love to try myself.

These flatbreads looks easy enough to make, and I’m sure they are! Imagine eating this with some delicious chilli con carne or even hot, spicy curry. Mmmm…making me drool just thinking about it.

Fudge – great for gift giving or…serving it up as little decadent desserts at that Christmas lunch or dinner. Easy to make and yes, fail proof!

These carrot & zucchini bars make great lunch box ideas – not just for the kids, but for me too!

How cool will it be to serve this on Christmas morning, for breakfast! It’s pretty easy to make and if you don’t like bacon, simply substitute it for something else…say maybe some sundried tomatoes, or half a tomato cut and placed on top for that nice, half roasted taste. Yumm…

Those are just a few things I’ve pinned on my “Food” board. Check out what other boards and stuff I’ve pinned over here. And maybe…just maybe, you might see some of the food featured here, right in my kitchen…or in this case on this blog!

Christmas is a time where I think the young enjoy more than the old. Well, why not? They only have to look forward to receiving the presents, eating the festive food, and meeting the cousins, and relatives they haven’t seen for a long while. For us adults however, there is the stress of getting everything organised. From getting the presents, to the decorations, food, sending out of Christmas cards and not to forget the end of year get togethers BEFORE Christmas. Then not only do we have to get the presents organised, but also have them wrapped up! That is one thing I don’t really look forward to. Wrapping. Wrapping the gifts up so nicely only to have them RIPPED apart within seconds! So, I was thrawling through a few blogs and came across one of my favourite craft blogs, which had the idea of having Santa Sacks! The blogger, who cannot be bothered with wrapping presents thought of a better way to present her gifts. A Santa Sack. A sack where you can put all the presents in. One for each person. Well, she made one for each of her children. Now, not only did she save time on wrapping, but she also helped save the earth! A recyclable item that can be used for the next few years! The construction is pretty easy really. Just like a sack. If you have no time to sew or just don’t like to sew, why not purchase one of those plain calico bags and have your children decorate them instead? They can draw on it with fabric markers, or paint with fabric paint or just paste some embellishments with fabric glue! Put the bags under the tree and come Christmas morning, it would be filled with presents. Saves you from wrapping the presents and clearing up the mess of wrapping paper afterwards too!