Finally, Christmas Eve is here! Switzerland celebrates Christmas mostly on Christmas Eve. They will have a big dinner and exchange presents. Actually, I didn’t expect a lot from Christmas, because according to my host sister, since they’re grown up, they don’t receive presents, decorate a Christmas tree, or have any decorations for Christmas. I tried not to have any expectations for this day!
After breakfast, my host dad started to find a place in the living room and carried in the Christmas tree from the garden! He bought it two days before,purpously because of me, and it was smaller than what I expected! We went to the garage and took out the ornaments and stars to decorate the tree. When we were in garage, he told me the story about Christmas :D. After half an hour, the Christmas tree fully decorated! It looked far nicer than what I expected! But the star on top seemed too old, and we decided to buy a new one.
We went to Konstanz and Migros, but because it was a public holiday, we could not find it. After 'shopping', I started to practice Christmas song with the accordion. :D
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| before |
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| after :D |
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| :D |
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| my music teacher! |
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| this is super heavy!!!! |
Around 6pm, we started to set up the table. Around 7pm, my host brother came home and started to eat. :D We had Raclette, a typicial Swiss dish with cheese and potatoes, for dinner, and it was really nice!! The cheese is different from normal, because my host mum bought it from Wallis, a city 4 hours away from where we live. We drank wine and talked during dinner.:D
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| special cheese! so big!! |
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| :D |
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| raclette! |
After dinner, we lit up the Christmas tree with real candle!! It looked so super nice, and my host dad put on some small firework stick on the tree. After that, my host dad requested that I play the accordion while they sing Christmas songs. I played the instrument, my host sister played the guitar, and they sang together. It was really cool. I loved the atmosphere.:D
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| with lights :D |
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| christmas story!! |
After that came the presents! Before this, there was nothing under the Christmas tree! I brought the presents from my room and put them under the tree. I didn’t expect this, but my host mum, dad and brother also prepared presents for me, but they didn’t prepare presents for each other. My host siblings said it had been a really long time since there were any presents under the Christmas tree. :D
The opening of the presents started with me! It was so strange, because I couldn’t really find my presents, and when I got them, I didn’t open them up. Everyone looked at me and said open it! So embarrassing… hehe and I didn’t hug them after I opened the presents (normally people hug each other when they receive presents!). I received a Swiss swatch from my host mum, a photo frame with a family photo from host dad, and a puzzle from host brother . Next, my family members opened their respective presents, and all of them were satisfied with what I bought for them. They came, hugged me and said thank you. :D
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| my presents :D |
After that, we just sat in living room and talked. Around 10pm, my host mum and sister went to church. They had to attend a rehearsal. My host dad and I stayed home and went half an hour later. With only both of us at home, he suddenly hugged me and kissed me on face! He said I really, really love you! I was so shocked and surprised by the way they expressed themselves!
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| family photo! |
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| guitar! |
We stayed in the church for about 90 minutes. There were a lot of people, and it was better than last time.:D A bit boring, but it was still nice. After church, my host sister and I went to Jubla's gathering. I saw some people who I haven’t seen in a really long time! We stayed there for just 30 mins and went home. :D
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| after church! |
Today was so nice. :D!!! My first Christmas celebration in my life and it was a good one. A big thanks to my family who made it so memorable for me. I did spend a very nice time with you guys. :D
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