2025 was the Christmas of new experiences and “things”. A quick mention of the “things” will lead to the important part of our Christmas. This was the year of the beanie, angel and village. Between the three of us, we gifted each other 10 beanies. It’s something that happened organically over the weeks leading to Christmas. So now we are all decked out for the winter, no need for any more beanies or toboggans! The second are the pretty angels I found in various Christmas markets and local shops that I adore and will love having to reflect back on our European Christmas. And finally, and probably the most meaningful is my beautiful Christmas village. This started with one little house that I bought at the annual NATO bazaar. In November each NATO country showcases their cultures’ special products. We enjoyed several hours of visiting 32 country booths to see what they have to share – specialty food, wine, cheese, olive oil, clothes, Christmas decor, textiles and more. We had a blast and bought many treasures to bring home. From this event, finding my first little Christmas porcelain village piece, I was on a mission to find additional houses for the village. The “houses” are replicas of Scandinavian canal houses. They aren’t expensive, they are fragile and are so pretty lit up. I love them so much I may just keep the village up in our Brussels home all year.
Outside of the “things”, the best part of Christmas this year was having a visitor to explore and share in the fun of our European Christmas. My mom came for the week before Christmas staying until the day after. Each day we had a planned merriment activity, my mom is always up for an adventure so she was happy to do whatever. The highlights are below. If you are contemplating a visit to see us, just know we are good cruise directors and you will have a blast!
– We took my mom to her first Christmas market in Leuven, a 20 minute drive from Brussels, home to Leuven University, circa 1425. We enjoyed food, warm beverages and an array of Christmas merchandise. We hunted for Christmas village houses and found four tall ones!
-Visit to Namen, also known as Namur, depending on the French or Dutch version. I loved this town and already want to go back. We walked through the Christmas market, explored a few streets and went for a ride on the cable car to check out the Citadel. The Christmas market included an ice skating rink, so we had to skate! Lots to see and enjoy there. And, we found a few Christmas village pieces at this funky shop/cafe, so this was a win.
– Visit to NATO, lunch with Scott and a tour of the American delegation offices. Seeing the NATO building is an experience. It is big, looks a bit industrial, with lots of glass windows. Once you get through security and the visitor badge process, as you walk toward the entrance there is a newly installed garden and artifacts from the Berlin Wall and the Twin Towers. A visible reminder of the past and today’s purpose. The campus is large, so comfortable shoes help.
– Walking in our local park around the lake, watching the ducks and swans. The park was long ago the palace grounds so the area is massive with sculptures, paths for biking, walking, horseback riding and more. While Scott and Connor drove RC cars, mom and I took off and ended up at the park coffee shop, an old mill that has recently been turned into a coffee shop with small bites, and, because it’s Europe, beer and wine.
– Walks in our village searching for the best chocolate eclair, we found it and it was yummy, shopping in the local stores for beanies and gloves, mom bought a beanie as well not included in our 10 count, and enjoying the square with Christmas tree and lights throughout.
– We played lots of games. Connor and mom’s favorite is the card game war, as well as monopoly and scrabble by the fire daily.
– For dinners we mostly ate at home, but one night went to our village Italian restaurant, no French or Dutch spoken, so we had to use translation apps to order with the Italian staff. We then walked through town for an evening walk, bundled up, it was a bit cold.
– A Sunday afternoon visit to the Tram museum, which I knew would be a cool experience. I had been wanting to go, but Scott and Connor were not convinced, in the end they both agreed it was a cool spot. My next museum requirement is going to be the Brussels Sewer museum, which I have heard is fantastic. Who wants to go?
– Monday was a visit to a small Christmas market in Brussels in a nearby commune. In Brussels areas/neighborhoods are called “communes” similar to arrondissements in Paris. We walked around a bit after enjoying the village’s beautiful church architecture
-Tuesday was a trip to the Stokell Square for the weekly market, not Christmas market, and shopping. The stokell market is hosted Tuesday and Saturday with local food vendors (cheese, meats, seafood, pastries and more), random clothing vendors, several amazing flower and plant vendors, a really great waffle truck and what they are known for, champagne and oysters. We found a few sweaters and fresh ravioli for Christmas dinner. Scott and Connor dropped us off and picked us up so they could do their Christmas shopping – which means getting mom presents! Both are very good shoppers.
-Christmas Eve we played games in front of the fire, my mom and I walked to the village for more shopping where I found my favorite angel. The church in our village hosted an English Christmas Eve service that we attended. We ended up seeing several families that we knew there, other Americans here with NATO. The service was perfect for our European Christmas singing carols and enjoying the story of Jesus in the village church from the 12th century. It was a beautiful evening. We then had an amazing dinner at home – beef Wellington, with yummy sides and desserts that Connor had requested.
-Christmas day entailed the normal child torture of making Connor wait to come down the stairs to see his gifts. We had matching PJs, along with Bucky joining in the family outfit (I didn’t get good pics of the outfits). We ate a big brunch with funny Dutch “sweet rolls” which were meant to be cinnamon rolls, but weren’t. There was plenty to eat. I surprised Scott with his favorite “rotel” dip which is made of velvetta cheese (not my favorite) that a friend bought for me at the commissary 90 minute trip.
This was a Christmas to remember, with fondness, even though we miss our family and friends at home, the home we cherish and the comfort of living in the United States.
A few notes about Christmas in Europe:
-all Christmas songs are in English so that felt like home
-Sinter Klaus comes in early December
-no Christmas market is the same and they are really more like a festival with the large ones similar to a party and the small ones like a neighborhood block party
Delius Diaries 
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