It's often said that is the most enchanting period of the year. That might be true, but only after the chaotic preparations are done, allowing for genuine enjoyment! Personally, I don't delight in the frenzy leading up to Christmas, but for my family, the holiday season extends beyond just presents and turkey—though those are delightful in their own right!

I'm incredibly lucky to have an incredibly diverse close-knit family, and Christmas is a time when we truly relish the richness this diversity brings. I hail from the United States with Mexican roots, being the first U.S.-born child in my family, and grew up in Texas. My husband is from Gibraltar, making him British, yet he, like me, was raised in a bilingual English-Spanish household due to Gibraltar's proximity to Spain and shared cultural and linguistic ties.

Moving further down our family tree, I have three lovely stepchildren who are half-British and half-Japanese. They reside in England but are very familiar with Japanese culture and often spend holidays in Gibraltar. Essentially, we are a blend of various languages, cultures, and, most delightfully—cuisines!

I like to believe that our Christmas is not only remarkable but also the most delectable time of the year! Coordinating our menu can sometimes be challenging, especially as my stepdaughters grow older and have more input in our culinary endeavors.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve at our house typically involves preparing a variety of dishes that honor Mexican, Japanese, and Spanish traditions. We opt for a tapas-style spread so we can enjoy a festive movie or a board game like Monopoly.

My favorite Christmas Eve recipe istamales, which, albeit labor-intensive, are absolutely delicious. My partner enjoys whipping up a hearty Tortilla de Patatas (Spanish omelet). We also make Sushi rolls which are a hit with the kids; they love creating rolls with rice, avocado, cucumber, tuna, crab, salmon, and prawns—accompanied by Japanese soy sauce, of course. For dessert, we delve into Spanish sweets such as Turron and Roscos.

We usually dine around 8 pm and allow the kids to stay up late. In Mexican and Spanish customs, Christmas Eve, calledNochebuena(literally “the good night”) is as significant as Christmas Day. Thus, we strive to maximize our family bonding time on Christmas Eve, ensuring the evening is not solely about the anticipation of Santa and gifts.

Christmas Day

Due to the late-night festivities, we start Christmas Day a bit later than most, usually around 9 am, and enjoy our feast around 4 pm. After opening presents, the kids relax and play while savoring Christmas Eve leftovers. I begin preparing the turkey and all the trimmings around 11 am—turkey and stuffing, Brussels sprouts, carrots, roast potatoes, and Yorkshire puddings, followed by Christmas pudding and custard.

Christmas Day itself reflects a traditional British celebration, with the exceptions being (a) we skip the Queen's speech and (b) we place £1 coins in the Christmas pudding prior to serving—a quirky Gibraltarian tradition. And yes, the coins are thoroughly cleaned beforehand!

Christmas night often turns into a chocolate binge, an activity that needs no further explanation as chocolate is universally loved. After that, our Christmas focuses on unwinding, sleeping, and enjoying leftovers.

Boxing Day

As someone from the U.S., Boxing Day has been a delightful discovery and now a treasured part of Christmas. While we don't engage in any special activities, I cherish the relaxed atmosphere it provides. Typically, we catch a movie at the cinema and prepare various leftover-inspired dishes, such as burritos or Mexican turkey chili.

So there you have it—Christmas the “My Dreamality” way. Hope you enjoyed the glimpse and don't forget to check out my blog!

About the Author

Yaya Duran is a travel and lifestyle blogger with almost a decade of experience. Her blog, My Dreamality, aims to inspire readers to live their best lives now! You can also follow My Dreamality on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.