Christmas is family time and the Canadians really go through a lot of trouble with Christmas decorations and Christmas meals.

Like most countries, Christmas light decorations are the order of the day. Everyone associates Christmas with snow, but unfortunately we are not so lucky each year. We live in the southernmost area of Canada and temperatures are a few degrees warmer than in other parts of the country.

It is our daughter and son-in-law’s first visit to the country and we are planning to prepare a feast for Christmas. Cream soup, turducken with vegetables, a delicious baked pudding and a bottle of KWV Roodeberg.

Canadians usually serve turkey or ham as a starter; we are talking hear about turkeys that are monstrous. The local residents arrange large family gatherings and sometimes three large turkeys are just enough. Mashed potatoes are an absolute must at their Christmas meals, as well as of course pumpkin pie.

Susan Jacobs