A Matter of Choice

Everyone has a Christmas traditions story to tell and I love hearing how they differ between families and yet are still all so similar,  always full of memories. Santa or Father Christmas?  Growing up he was only ever Father Christmas to me but somewhere over the years he became Santa!  I don't know if it's anything to do with the fact we live in Cyprus- what do people say in the UK these days?   I don't know if it was me that started saying Santa to the boys or if I got it from them, but they never say Father Christmas.   The children at school would either say Agios Vasilis or Santa so they were quite confused the first time someone asked them about Father Christmas. Christmas Eve Traditions What did you do on Christmas Eve?   Were you a church family going to Christingle or Midnight Mass,   or did you stay home and drive your Mum crazy as you were so impatient for the big day? We sometimes went to the Christingle service ...

Christmas is coming and preparations are in full swing in our household,We have a simple uncomplicated Christmas so although I'm not rushing round the shops like a nutter I like to create my own festive build up.  The festivities started with a Traditional Christmas Market in Pyla, orgainised by 'Just So Crafty'. Leo saw Santa and for the first time sat with him and spoke to him quite happily without me holding his hand.  He was a bit confused as he left holding his little present telling me sadly that it wasn't what he'd asked him for, but was quite happy when I explained that it was just a little 'pre-Christmas' gift! The following day was the switching on of the Christmas lights in Agia Napa, we've been every year that we've lived here and this year it really felt as if Christmas had arrived when we were there.  It was a busy weekend as on the Sunday was Leo's school farye and another good afternoon.  Leo did very well singi...

Christmas in Cyprus is generally much more low key than in the UK (Easter being the bigger celebration here) so I'm always keen to find 'Christmassy things' to do. This year so far has been more successful than our previous years here, partly because Leo is a bit older and can enjoy them more. Last weekend we kicked off the festivities with two Christmas events.... Saturday was the Christmas lights switch on in Agia Napa, a great free event which takes place each year in the town square.   It's always very busy with locals and tourists alike and to get involved you do have to repress the extremely British urge to queue! Santa arrives in a horse drawn carriage and gives out free presents to anyone who can brave the scrum - luckily my Mum seems to have adapted to the surroundings and can wiggle her way to the front of crowds quite well now! There are also stalls handing out free wine and snacks but we decided it wasn't worth the effort (especially hav...

Last weekend was Leo's first bit of Christmas excitement, as he got to meet Father Christmas twice. I took him to see him last year but he was a little underwhelmed to say the least back then, (I didn't even write a blog post about it!)  and although he didn't cry at all the whole experience pretty much went over his head!  This year he understands who he is meeting, even though he doesn't get the whole 'presents coming at Christmas thing  - I've deliberately not mentioned too much about that as if I tell him Father Christmas will bring him presents he will just want them RIGHT NOW. The first meeting was at the school on the army base's Christmas Fayre. The excitement started when Father Christmas arrived waving to everyone from the top of a fire engine with sirens blaring, We then queued with his friend (who's five) and he saw him go first so that would have encouraged Leo to do the same. Leo was a little unsure but walked in holding my hand ...