Making family traditions – celebrating Christmastime together – A French Christmas

Ulula is based at Rush Farm, a biodynamic farm in Worcestershire. Between March and October, Rush Farm is supported by a wonderful group of volunteers who find us through the World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms Organisation a movement linking volunteers with organic farmers and growers. The volunteers are fondly known at the beginning of their stay at WWOOFers, but by the time we are all hugging goodbye, they have become one of the family. This means that we are now very much an international family on the Farm, as is Ulula with all its wonderful worldwide customers. We may not be €˜together' on the farm across the winter months (a time of €˜rest' for the farm so no volunteers are needed), but sharing our winter traditions and memories is very special. Our winter family and community traditions are instilled in us when we are little, and these memories and feelings stay with us as we grow up, and we bring them into our world anew when our own little ones arrive. For us, we always decorate the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve our German roots! These traditions are unique to each family, region, country and each generation, and we carry them with us, whether we stay in the country of our birth, or find ourselves somewhere different. €˜Different' brings opportunities for both enjoying, and learning other families' traditions. We blend them into our very own happy ever afters. Just as it should be x My French Christmas 1st December When I was a child, it was time to buy an advent calendar an write my letter to the Santa Claus. Now it the time to think about the gifts to offer at my close family€¦ 24 December After 5 hours drive, we arrive a little tired at my paternal grandmother. But tomorrow, all the family will be here. So I gather my strengths for the essential thing : the decoration of the Christmas tree€¦ baubles, garlands€¦ Lucky me to have an organized sister to share this moment with me! Don't forget the garland of lights and the star at the top ! or the tradition is broken. Some gifts will be open tonight, but we will wait for our younger cousins joy to offer the best surprises. (But sshhh! all is Father Christmas !) 25 December Latest preparations. Ready to eat all the day ! Oysters, snails, tartines of foie gras and of salmon€¦ A lot of dead animals scroll in front of me! I eat some toasts - I'm vegetarian but I'm greedy too ! I really like everything but I can't eat snails - since I learned how long we need to wait before they die - and oysters eaten with some lemon while they are always alive... Anyway now we are ready ! It's the veal roast with potatoes and beans. Children be patient - the gifts come with the dessert. So is it now ? I have finished my plate... No, keep your plate and test the amazing « roquefort » ! Sensitive noses, outside. My father is running, he hate cheese! But not too far, because now€¦ Yes, I'm just waiting for this. Now it's time to the dessert : « La bûche de Noël » ! Unfortunately, my grandfather, a former baker, is not with us to cook it. But we can count on the neighbour and the dessert is excellent. We open the gifts ; everybody is smiling. This was not a vegetarian day, but I'm happy because we had interesting discussions and I played a lot with my cousins. This was a joyful day!! [caption id="attachment_2666" align="alignleft" width="207"] Sophie from France, who took this wonderful photo across Rush Farm this summer... happy memories indeed x[/caption]