We can´t always celebrate holidays like Christmas at home with our family. Some of us travel abroad deliberately, others force them to spend Christmas Eve outside Slovakia working. We found out how our clients experience them.
Adriana and Viliam (Worms, Germany)
Adriana and Viliam decided to spend their holidays on business outside Slovakia this year. “In Germany they don´t have very different customs than in our country. However, we plan to make a proper cabbage soup and classic fish with potato salad. And we will also have a Christmas stole. In this period we like lot of lights, so instead of Christmas tree we decorated window and balcony doors with them. In our work, we have made this period more pleasant with the Nicholas caps. ”
Norbert (Böblingen near Stuttgard, Germany)
Norbert likes to spend Christmas in Germany because he doesn’t feel a big difference in habits or meals. “In the household where I care, you can find from the beginning of December an Advent calendar along with an Advent wreath, which, as in our country, we are gradually burning every Advent Sunday. The traditional Christmas Eve meal isn´t only about carp with salad, but also roast goose. On Christmas table must not be missing a Christmas stole or Christmas cake, which are typical elements of Christmas for this family. For me, an inherent feature is the Christmas tree that we built earlier this year. ”
Lubica (Wien, Austria)
Ľubica spends a Christmas atmosphere with her patient on a walk in snowy Vienna, because it is necessary to get some fresh air before dinner. “Christmas customs are not very different from our Slovak ones. We hang on the mistletoe to bring us happiness and throughout the December we must have an Advent wreath. On a Christmas table, the most common is carp with potato salad. Of course I try to contribute Slovak food, which my patient very much praised. Last but not least, we must not miss the tree that we decorate the day before Christmas.”
Anne (London, Great Britain)
Anna spends Christmas quite differently in England than in Slovakia. “In the evening of December 24, we used to meet the whole patient family and bake desserts – I was making gingerbreads. They have the biggest holiday until the next day. Then I cooked cabbage soup and a family in which I care, their specialty – ham with honey and sweet bread. The tradition at Christmas Eve is christmas cracker, which is a paper tube in the shape of a larger lounge that bursts like a weak firecracker when torn. A royal crown of paper, a small plastic toy, or a paper with a “dry” English joke will fall out. We are already making a Christmas tree and the overall decoration of the house at the beginning of December. ”
Otília (Cadzand, Netherlands)
In Netherlands, Otília and her family make dinner on December 22nd. “I try to show our Slovak traditions to my family. Therefore, the Christmas table includes cabbage soup, toasts and potato salad with fish. Overall, they like our gastronomy and habits very much. Christmas tree and lights on the house we have since 5 December (after Nicholas). Paradoxically, on December 24th, they have a normal working day here, family members meet festively for the next two evenings, where they also share Christmas gifts. “
Ivana (Trnava, Slovensko)
We also take care of our clients in Slovakia. We always make sure they feel at home and prepare the conditions for them to make Christmas as they please. And how do you celebrate Christmas? Share your habits and experiences with us.
