Merry Christmas and Gleðileg Jól to everyone! Our Christmas cards (yes that is us inside a snow globe) another crafty creation by H

In Iceland Christmas is celebrated on the 24th so that means tonight is really like my Christmas Eve! Tomorrow we will be enjoying an Icelandic Christmas dinner that I am looking forward to learning how to prepare as well as eating. Here is a quick recap of my weekend though before I am off to enjoy all the Christmas fun this week.

We spent our weekend finishing up the last things before Christmas and I am glad we can now just relax and enjoy. On Saturday I headed downtown to finish up some shopping and was joined with what felt like the entire population of Iceland. At least I got to enjoy surroundings like these while out in the busy streets of downtown Reykjavik. I know it looks like I am out shopping at midnight but these photos were actually taken around 5 in the evening, they weren’t joking around about the dark winter days up here! At least we have all the beautiful Christmas lights to help brighten up the dark winter days.

When I was downtown the streets were filled with Christmas spirit. Carolers filled the streets with beautiful Christmas music, several Santa’s were wandering the city, and almond roasting stands where on every corner. Walking in the city really got me in the Christmas spirit and I definitely needed that to fight all the crowds. I finished up my shopping at the Christmas market they have set up in one of the city squares. While the Christmas market here is nothing compared to most in Europe it is slowly growing every year. The log cabin booths are filled with handmade crafts, food, and lots of Icelandic wool clothing. Even though its small you can still find some great items here and I enjoyed wandering around the market and picking up the last of my gifts. Once my shopping was finished up it was time to go pick out our Christmas tree. I am so used to putting up our Christmas tree the weekend after Thanksgiving but in Iceland you don’t get your tree until after the 20th of December. The trees are much smaller than what I am use to seeing at home as well, but they still smell just as amazing. Our small but beautiful Christmas tree I am so glad that I was able to get a tree this year and decorate it, its one of my favorite things about Christmas at home and always makes it feel like Christmas is here when the tree is out and ready.

On Sunday I had the chance to learn how to make traditional Icelandic bread called Laufabrauð that is typically ate around Christmas time. I have been seeing them in stores for a while now and have heard stories from H about making them so I was excited to make my own Laufabrauð.Laufabrauð originates from Northern Iceland and are very thin flat bread that are decorated with leaf-like, geometric patterns. Once you have cut out your design you then fry the Laufabrauð briefly in hot fat or oil. It took me a few tries to get the hang of making the patterns in the dough but I think I finally mastered the art of Laufabrauð making.I am so glad I got to join in with H and his family and learn one of their Christmas traditions. Sitting in the kitchen baking Laufabrauð all day reminded me of being home with my family making Christmas cookies as well, just with an Icelandic twist to it:)

It has been a lot of fun learning about the Icelandic Christmas traditions and I am looking forward to spending Christmas day with H and his family. Maybe one year my family will be here to celebrate with me and I can show them what an Icelandic Christmas is all about. At least I won’t have to miss out on seeing any of these faces this year on Christmas morning, thank you skype!My grandparents are the cutest ❤My parents are pretty amazing as well I also wish I had these Christmas pajamas to wear, I can’t believe I left them at home! (My baby sister and Azora are very missed as well Sending all my love to my family and friends back at home this Christmas ❤ ❤ ❤

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends. Merry Christmas!

Question of the Day?
Will you be spending Christmas at home with your family this year? Do you open your gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

Linking up with Lisa, Niki, and Karly Kim for some extra blogging fun!