If you are anything like me, I love Christmas. Christmas is one of my favorite times of years. Forget birthdays, New Year, Halloween. If I had to choose, Christmas would win hands down.Yes, I am that person like many other Christmas lovers that spend Christmas Eve in the kitchen cooking with the Christmas music on the stereo and a glass of wine not far out of my reach. And this year my friends it was no different.
This is my fourth year that I have spent Christmas living in four different countries. And I have loved every minute of it. For sure a lot of people go away at Christmas time for a holiday. But I don’t think this is the same as actually living in a country. Making friends around the world, so on Christmas day (or eve) this year especially I have found that we are making facetime chats to people we have come to love.
My Christmas this year as you know spending it at home (Belize). This is our home for now and probably will be for the next 3 years.
Today it is boxing day and to be honest, I was not going to write a blog, but I wanted to check in with you all and let you know how our day went and I hope you will tell me how your day was spent.
As I said before Christmas Eve was spent in the kitchen cooking, this year was pretty special as yes I was cooking but I had a helper. Chanise helped me cook this year as this is her first year being Vegan. So we had to come up with some nice Vegan Christmas dishes. You probably thinking was their meat. Well, of course, there was. I think if I told Mark we were having a Vegan Christmas, I would be getting some harsh words lol.
Christmas day we had a bit of a lay in. Up about 9. Coffee pot on and spending 30 minutes opening presents, which consisted, of course, a snorkel set. We are in Belize after all. A good snorkel set is a must. I have learned the difference thanks to my hubby the difference between a good snorkel and a bad one. I have highlighted (Snorkel) and it will take you to a good set. At a reasonable price.
Presents followed by Breakfast. Now we do Christmas breakfast the New Zealand way. And as long as Christmas is hot our breakfast will always consist of fresh fruit, croissant, ham (for Mark), Cheeses. And fresh juice. Then the normal stages of Christmas morning, dressed, shower, and a clean up of the kitchen.
Now, this is usually where we have a game, you know the latest Christmas game. But living in Belize I would not have a clue what this year faze of Christmas game is. So I was cards, 31 game and kings and arseholes. Did we play for money the three of us? You bet we did just a few Belize dollars each. (Boy I am a bad mother, lol). A card game on Christmas day goes nicely with some homemade punch. That’s been in the fridge overnight, so the fruit was oozing alcohol. Vodka, fresh orange, sprite, and fresh fruit. I’m telling you to leave the fruit in the vodka overnight and the fruit will get you more tiddly than the juice.
The card game was done after maybe an hour. You know its time to hit the beach. I mean it would be rude not to wouldn’t it? So chilly bin packed with the essentials which consist of a couple of beers for Mark, a glass of punch for me, Snorkels, the portable speaker, iPhone (playlist done in advance). And we walk the 100 meters to the beach. With Bella (the dog) in tow.
A couple of hours at the beach fooling around, then back home to prepare and put the roasts in the oven. And yes another game of cards on the deck for a good hour and a half. The weather was still lovely and warm so why not. And the kitchen was hot so I really did not want to spend too much time there on Christmas day. The two-bedroom place we are renting temporarily has no air con, which is fine, I can handle it. But once the oven has been on it can heat the whole house up and it gets hot. The temperature yesterday here was 29 degrees Celsius which is about 85 Fahrenheit.
So with a nice glass of red in my hand (a well-deserved one I might add) The table set. We all dug into a nice Christmas feed. And it was delicious. I had everything Vegan and it was delicious.
It must have been good. We all had full bellies and at 7 p.m Chanise went to her room. Me and Mark had a couple of beers on the deck with a friend. Then by 8.30 we settled down and watched a movie. All in all a great Christmas had by all.
Also, you guys know that I am missing two of my girls this year for Christmas. And yes it has been hard. I have missed them terribly. I have to realize they are growing up. They are choosing their own path. And as a mother, it is hard to let go… But we all have to choose our own destiny in life. And I am looking forward to watching my girls grow and learn.
I wonder if next Christmas my title for my blog will be FIVE YEARS, FIVE CHRISTMASES, IN FIVE DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. Mark has never had a white Christmas. And I know that he would love to.
Watch this space…..
SENDING YOU ALL OUR LOVE FROM BELIZE, MERRY CHRISTMAS XXX
I would love to hear your stories about your Christmas Day. Comment below…..
UPDATE: It has been bought to my attention (thanks to the comments), that I was so busy rambling about my day that I did not put what the four Countries where.
- New Zealand
- Thailand
- USA
- Belize
Originally posted 2018-12-26 22:02:43.
the Christmas food was absolutely you should do a blog about that
I will Chanise, I will x x
That is sounds like very great way of spending your Christmas holiday with your family plus that Beach look like the best place to be .it’s very good to hear you enjoyed byour holidays very well and while doing so a glass of wine was not that far from you .all the best with the new year holidays cheers
Hi Charles
Thanks for taking the time to read my Blog. In response to your comments I think a couple of cheeky wines on Christmas Day is a must. And i do have to say the Beach here in Belize is amazing. Crystal clear. Hope the weather was not to cold for your Christmas!
Happy Holidays Charles
What a wonderful way to spend Christmas! I bet it’s so fun being on the beach during the holidays! In many states in the U.S , people are so used to the snow and cold weather. Being in a warm climate during the winter months seems like a welcome change.
Thanks for sharing!
B
Hey Britney
We spoke to our friends in Florida and they were a little rugged up. I know some states in the USA can get really cold, in the minuses. I would like a snowy Christmas next year but not that cold. Hope you had a awesome Christmas Day.
Thanks for your comments.
Hi Sheila – thanks for sharing this great article, the title just pulled me in and I had to read it! Sounds as though you had a great day and I am so envious that you got to spend time on the beach. Which are the other countries you have spent Christmas in? Love the photos, your dog is so cute. I have bookmarked your page to keep up with your adventures. All the best for a happy new year, Diane (in the cold and rainy UK!)
Hey Diane you made a good point, i was so busy typing and wanting to share my Christmas with everyone that i forgot to put the other three Countries. I will go and amend that now lol.
Hope you had a great Christmas and enjoying the holidays with your family.
Thank you for sharing with us your four years,four Christmases in four different countries experience.Christmas is a great event for many people .It is a good time to travel with our beloved and enjoy with them.I like the way you spend your time with your beloved ones and I like the picture you were sitting on the beach.
I hope you will enjoy your next fifth year,fifth christmas in five countries with your family.
Hi Julienne
Thanks for your comments! I also hope you had a great Christmas spent with loves ones. And yes it will be interesting where we spend next Christmas. It might be Belize again, but hoping maybe for a white Christmas. I say this now because I am sitting in 30 degree heat lol
Have a awesome day and enjoy the holidays.
Sounds like you all had a wonderful Christmas in Belize! I understand the feeling of missing your girls, especially at the holidays. My husband and I have 4 daughters between us, and two of them several hours away. As they get older and start their own lives, it’s exciting to see them reach for their dreams. But as a mom,I still want them close by!
I’ll be looking forward to next year’s post!
Hey Janelle I guess alot of mums can relate to missing there kids on Christmas. My mum also. But we choose our own destiny. And they know the are loved. And if they need us we are only a flight away.
I hope you had a great Christmas. And maybe next year you will have all the kids with you on Christmas Day.
x
Christmas is also my favourite holiday of the year. I get to spend it with my family, and I’m glad you do you. Every year for Christmas eve, we always get new sets of ugly sweaters and even the dog gets one too ahaha. I have spent Christmas in three different countries and it’s totally amazing trying new things out in different environments.
Hi Solomon sounds like you have a lovely family that enjoy Christmas as much as I do. To be honest I did look online this year for a Christmas dress (matching mother and daughter of course). I didn’t do it though, but i was a one click away on purchasing two lol
And when you have children or if you have children that you will do the ugly sweater tradition x
I cant let my wife read this because she will be so jealous and let me tell you why. We live in Alberta Canada and have for 50 years. Every single year she talks about how she wants to move away and be someplace warmer for Christmas.
Personally I couldnt imagine Christmas without snow and cold lol.
I really did enjoy reading your article and not going to lie it did look like you guys were having a blast.
Dale
Hey Dale, really loved reading your comments. It bought a cheeky smile to my face. Your wife bless her deserves a nice warm Christmas at the beach. And you tell her I said so lol.
To be honest Dale I do not think I could do 50 cold Christmas’s. And my husband would be giving me harsh words.
wow, what a feeling!!! I’m sure it feels amazing spending four Christmas in four different countries, I bet you’re having the time of your lives. To me it feels like the chrismas excitement and celebrations are no longer as it use to be, it feels like there is a slightly a change as compared to when we were kids. Traveling to a different destination for Christmas would be my next Christmas goal.
Hey Zuchii
Thanks for you comments. Maybe you should spend Christmas with us next year. I do know what you mean. Christmas is never as you see it as a child. To bring those days back.
I wish you much success to reach your goal next Christmas x
Good afternoon Sheila,
Thank you for your Christmas day story, how different from my day. I grew up in Holland and would hope for a white Christmas. If I was that lucky I would look forward to a sledge trip through the woods tied up behind the car. After some time I would be freezing so Papa would take me home where my Mother would have hot chocolate waiting. She would decorate the tree on the 23th and on the 24th we would have Christmas together. It was always a magical moment when the real candles were lit in the tree and in the background some nice music.
On the 25th grandparents would come and we would eat our great Christmas diner. On the 26th good friends would come. After 3 days we had to recuperate I can tell you. I left Holland at the age of 15 but most of the times I would manage to come home for Christmas.
Since 1975 I have lived in Spain and take care of celebrating Christmas in my house. I have kept the tradition of having real candles in the tree. This year I had to order them from Holland as I had used up my reserve. As I live in the south of Spain I cannot expect a white Christmas with a temperature of 20C.
Sending you good wishes for the new year, may it be good, healthy, and successful.
Regards, Taetske
Hi Taetske
Thank you for sharing your lovely childhood memories. I hope my children have great memories of Christmas and keep the tradition going. Real candles on the tree sounds very nice. I have never seen that.
I grew up in England, so a cold Christmas was inevitable. But some Years we would spent Christmas with family in Germany. Where again a cold Christmas was on the menu.
Life is creating memories. And i loved yours. So thank you again for sharing
Sheila I absolutely loved your post. It’s so amazing to hear about Christmases from different parts of the world. Your story pulled me in so deep I did not want to stop reading it was just like reading one of my favorite Thrillers or fantasy novels. I absolutely can’t wait for you to post more. You’re a true story teller. I’m not sure if you’re an author or not but you really should be your words are so captivating. But I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your beautiful Christmas Story with all of us. I myself have been to 42 different countries and I’ve experienced Christmas in several different ways also it’s such a joy to be able to celebrate with other people in different countries and learn their choice of food and entertainment for the holidays. I just have a quick question how long have you been vegan? Is it a severely drastic life change? Did you start vegetarian and then eventually go to vegan or did you just start out vegan? Okay I think I’m done I’m sorry I took up all your space on your comment section. Thank you again for such a beautiful story, Yours Truly Mike Trueblood.
Hi Mike thanks for your comments I enjoyed reading what you had to say. 42 Countries, that’s awesome I bet you have some stories to share.
In regard to your question I am not Vegan, just vegetarian. My daughter Chanise is Vegan so most of the cooking I do is Vegan. But I can still have my treats, cheese etc.. For Chanise she says it isn’t hard but sometimes I see her eyeing up a nice cream bun!!
Hope you had a blessed Christmas Mike.
4 Years ,4 Christmases, in 4 Countries
Its amazing that like us ( in hot, sunny South Africa) we both observe Christmas with a hot cooked meal !
It is also of interest how Sheila manages to combine cooking for vegans and non-vegans in the same meal
One of the things that intrigue me is that English Speaking people living all around the world have so many traditions in common.
Its good that Chanise had Shiela to guide her on Vegan cooking.I have never had a Vegan meal but you obviously enjoy it.
It sounds interesting , the card game with some( it sounds Potent) Christmas ,Vodka punch Is the beach after the card game a good idea ? Especially with SNORKELS.?
Back at the rather Hot house you all seemed to enjoy the Christmas dinner,especially with a glass of wine. then the end of a perfect day, with a couple of beers and a movie,
Belize sounds like lovely place to spend your Christmas ,I hope next year will be wonderful as well.
Hi Robert, thank you for your comments Christmas without a hot cooked meal would not be Christmas lol. And you are probably right swimming and punch I would not recommend and like my post said I am a bad parent. I’m just messing with you!
Christmas was fantastic this year and I love seeing the different cultures. South Africa sounds lovely, I have not been, but I have been invited. Hey maybe next Christmas South Africa could be our next destination.
Hope you had a awesome Christmas spent with loved ones.
Oh, I loved reading about your unusual Christmas. I say unusual because I live in the US in New York where it is usually in the 30’s in December with snow. Christmas Eve is church with the whole family, extended and beyond, then dinner at one of our houses. Christmas day is dinner, dinner and dinner trying to fit in everyone – it’s hectic with kids and grandkids and did I mention snow? LOL! Christmas lights and candle-lit lawns, cold and dark early, it seems far from the beachy Christmas you experienced. Part of me would not like it and another part of me would LOVE IT! I love warm weather, but as I’ve grown older, the old traditions mean more to me with the coming of my grandchildren and watching them light up when the snow hits their tongues. Thank you for sharing a piece of your life on your beautiful site. Happy Holidays!
Hey, New York at Christmas time i have been told is extremely cold. But very festive. I understand what you mean about having the hectic house. Friends and family coming and going. As I have also done this for a number of years when the kids were little. Thankfully though i do not have any grandchildren as of yet. lol. Maybe as i get older i will think differently!!
Thanks Basbie for reading my Blog. And i enjoyed reading your feedback. Have a awesome day.
And stay warm x
Aweee I envy you! I would love to live in many countries as I can. If you don’t mind me asking what do you do? How can you get to live in other countries. Was the paper work hideous? You and me we are the same. I love the holidays but Christmas is still on the numbering of my list. I usually drinking my wine when I was cooking. Making sure that my party is ok and will go back into stuffing them lol. And since I drink I get very creative with my recipe lol Not to encourage anyone with drinking or anything, but it is one thing in life that I refuse to give up.
PS. I am from Thailand 🙂
Hey Nuttanee thanks for your comment. Thailand is also a lovely Country. I have had the privilege of living in Jomtien and giving my time to hand to hand foundation where i met some incredible and inspiring Thai ladies that I keep in contact with. We do sound similar as i also like a glass of wine when im cooking obviously not everyday lol. just when im in the mood. Belize is one of the Countries that i have lived in that I find the paperwork very easy. No more border runs for me to LOAS or Cambodia. In answer to your question myself and husband have always liked to keep ourselves busy with new opportunity’s. Have a awesome day x
It sounds like you had an amazing Christmas. You could make Minnesota in the United States your destination if you want a white Christmas! Well, we had a little snow on Christmas day, but today December 27 it has snowed over six inches already and is supposed to be up to 12 inches! I like a little snow, but… Anyway, your holiday traditions sound a lot like the ones in my family (except for the wine and beer—my spouse is a recovering alcoholic). We have a lot of fun playing games and visiting with family. I think I have spent every single Christmas of my life in the United States and 52 of them in Minnesota! One was in Missouri, but if I remember correctly, we had come “home” to Minnesota for the actual holiday. Christmas is my favorite holiday, too! I wish people would have more of the Christmas spirit all year-around. I listen to Christmas music all year long because I love it! Where would you say you had your favorite Christmas out of the four places? Happy New Year!
Hey Karin
Ohh i hope you are keeping warm around the fire. Snow i think was put on this earth for Christmas. Don’t you think? Favorite Christmas out of the four. mmm I don’t think i have a favorite. They were all special and different. A really good friends of mine that lives in the USA is also a recovering alcoholic for about 30 years. But he still goes to the AA meeting every week. Good on him x
Thanks for taking the time to comment on my post,i really appreciate it.
Happy New Year to you to.