Christmas is over now, but since I’ve been blessed with more presents than usual this year, I’d like to share what I got with you. (After all, why should I keep all the joy of these Christmas presents just for myself?) Now, keep in mind that the one who got the presents was … Me (that’s a grown-up with a love for subdued colors, and a fully furnished apartment). And here goes the list … a little plush container for pens and pencils an apple candle an all pink picture frame some red and silver Christmas decoration striped socks with stocked with chocolate and pralines a colorful porcelain angel a rabbit with long hanging legs (decoration on a shelf) apples & oranges a wood boat that also is a lamp a handcrafted Christmas card more chocolate and candy sunflower seeds   So, whether I’ll be able to find use for all these presents, that’s a question I’ll allow you to answer yourselves.

  Did you know that Christmas in Germany consists of 2 and 1/2 days full of celebrating? If you’re from Germany, sure you’ll know. But to most people around here, I need to explain this over and over again: Today it’s still Christmas. Since yesterday was the 1. Christmas Day, it means that today is the 2. Christmas Day – makes sense, right? So, while everyone else around me is returning to business as usual (well the Chinese never stopped anyways, Christmas isn’t a holiday at all here, just a day for partying at night), I’ve decided to be a little stubborn … and insist on celebrating Christmas, still! And I’m sure, those friends of mine who are invited to my dinner party tonight don’t mind at all that I’m determined on celebrating that 2. Christmas Day with them!

Look who has found his way all the way to China! And look who seems to think that I’ve been a nice girl this past year! This morning when I came back from breakfast, I found a sweet surprise hanging at my door. Looks like St. Nicholas found my little corner of the world after all. Sure, he was a little late, because when I left for brunch there was no trace of his having been there at my door yet. But who cares about such things, when there’s such a nice surprise waiting for you. And after all, St. Nicholas must have had a really busy morning, stopping in Germany first, to get me all these favorite German chocolate treats, before coming all the way here to find me! In any case, he’s made me a really happy girl this morning, and I’m left to wonder who might have told him how to find my little spot …

I’ve made a discovery! This year I found out that the repertoire of Christmas songs consists of more than just “Jingle Bells!” That’s good news, because Jingle Bells certainly isn’t one of my favorite Christmas songs. And it’s a huge relief to my ears that in between the repeated jingling of the bells, I can also listen to something else. (Remember? I have a constant blur of music floating into my living room from the supermarket across the street – the one that is kind enough to entertain the entire neighborhood – whether desired or not – with their music!) Sadly, they only have about one CD of Christmas songs, and that CD only has about 5 different songs that are repeated all. day. long. Which means, I should be a real expert when it comes to those Christmas songs pretty soon – don’t you think?