An Interview With The Viking

Happy Friday!

Before I get into today’s post I just have to say I am so glad so many of you were able to relate to my last post. I am loving reading all the stories you are sharing about your language bloopers. Language learning is tough but at least we can all laugh about our embarrassing moments together!

Now on to today’s post…

Last Sunday Reykjavik was treated to a perfect winter day. Fresh snow covered the ground, the sun was out and shinning (for the few hours of daylight that is), there was no wind in sight, the perfect combination for a late afternoon stroll through a winter wonderland.

As we were enjoying our snowy walk I decided it would be a great time to interrogated H about his thoughts on our upcoming trip to America. I love sharing our cultures with each other and I am so excited to share my family’s Christmas traditions with him.

So before he gets the full taste of Christmas in America I thought it would be fun to do a little pre- Christmas interview. H of course was happy to play along. Or not, depending on who you ask.

What are you most looking forward to about an American Christmas?

H: The Christmas morning. Waking up and opening the gifts on the 25th instead of opening them on the evening of the 24th is so different from what I am used to so I think it will be fun to experience something new.

K: Christmas morning is just the best. When we make our way down the stairs we always take a picture in all our morning glory, so be prepared for that.

H: Okay, I will have to remember to fix my hair I don’t want my crazy morning hair in those pictures. Remind me okay.

K: Haha okay (he really does have a serious case of crazy morning hair). Anything else you are looking forward to?

H : The food of course! I am looking forward to trying all the food you guys eat during Christmas time. Oh and and these gin fizz drinks I keep hearing about.

Gin fizz: a drink my family makes every Christmas morning with. Of course us kids always got one sans the gin but now we are legal and ready for a real gin fizz:)

Before you met me what had you heard about an American Christmas? Where did you hear them from?

H: I knew that you opened your gifts on Christmas day morning and that you only have one Santa.

K: Not all of us were lucky to grow up with 13 Santas.

H:(ignores my comment) One thing I didn’t know about was the stockings. I knew you guys had stockings but I always assumed they were more a decoration and didn’t know that you put gifts in there.

K: Opening my Christmas stocking is my favorite. My mom Santa always does such a good job filling my stocking with my favorite goodies. Maybe if your good you will have your own stocking this year.

Note: I got H his first Christmas stocking with his name on it and I know he is going to be so surprised and excited. Thank goodness I only have to keep the secret in for a few more days, I am about to blurt out that I got him the best stocking, stay strong Kaelene, stay strong. (And don’t worry I didn’t just give away the surpise, H has been told he is not allowed to read this post:)

Anything else that comes to mind when you think of an American Christmas?

H: I always imagined families all ate turkey for Christmas dinner and that this was the traditional meal. At least the movies always have everyone eating turkey for Christmas.

K: Well other families might eat turkey but I don’t know. My family never has turkey for Christmas which is fine by me, Thanksgiving is enough turkey for me for the year. I wonder if other families eat turkey though? We will have to investigate this when we are back in the states.

H: You know what else intrigues me, eggnog, I will have to try this in America. Do you buy it with alcohol in it or do you have to add alcohol to the eggnog? I saw it on the Simpsons once and Homer had a fridge full of eggnog.

K: Oh eggnog, I love eggnog, we will get some. And no, it does not come pre-mixed with alcohol, at least that I know of, but it should. And please tell me you did not learn about American Christmas traditions from the Simpsons!

H: Not just the Simpsons, we watched Christmas movies as well.

K: Okay I am just going to ignore the Simpsons part. Moving on…

What do you prefer, opening gifts on Christmas Eve night or Christmas morning?

H: Well of course I am going to say opening gifts on Christmas Eve night since that is all I have ever done.

K: But how does Santa put the gifts under the tree when you are all sitting right there?

H: The gifts aren’t from Santa they are from our parents. Remember, in Iceland we have the 13 Santas that visit the children the 13 nights before Christmas. Not like the one Coca-Cola Santa you guys have.

Sometimes I forget I am dating someone from a different country!

K: Coca-Cola Santa, that is a good way to describe him, I am going to have to use that term.

What are your favorite Icelandic Christmas tradition?

H: Making laufabrauð. Every year the whole family gets together for an afternoon to relax, listen to Christmas music and make laufabrauð. It is one of my favorite memories. And it is delicious.

K: I agree, I really loved making laufabrauð last year with your family. We need to convince your mom to make some more this year!

Note: My convincing was successful and I will be spending my weekend making laufabrauð, yay!

Last question H…

What did you get Kaelene???

H: Nice try, you can’t sneak that question by me. My only answer, its a secret.

I had to try!

I am a little sad to leave this winter wonderland behind but so excited for our trip to the states. H is going to love his first American Christmas, bring on the holiday fun!

Question of the Day?
What Christmas traditions are your favorite? To my American readers out there, do you eat turkey on Christmas?