Our team explore their favourite Christmas traditions
As we start the final countdown to Christmas (only 30 sleeps to go!) we took a moment to look at and explore the team's favourite traditions. Because it's never too late to add new traditions into the mix, we hope to give you some fresh inspiration, or at least some re-arrurance that Christmas traditions come in all sorts of weird, wacky and wonderful forms!
There are certain aspects of Christmas that every family can relate to. From decorating the Christmas tree to the mandatory overindulgence on Quality Street. The petty squabbles over the remote control to the competitive game of charades. However, it is the variation between homes that makes Christmas traditions such a meaningful part of our identity and belonging. The team at OTO explore their favourite Christmas traditions and what makes them so special.
Pre-Christmas Traditions
Certain members of our team’s most prominent traditions centre around the build up to Christmas as opposed to the day itself; Hannah's (partner from Moxeys Mints) tradition is going to Neal's yard dairy cheese mongers in Covent Garden on the 22nd December. Her 11-year-old daughter enjoys the particularly potent cheeses. They always buy too much and come out stuffed at 8:30am but it’s their 'stinking tradition' and they love it.
A Time for the Whole Family
We all know Christmas is a time for family, I mean the whole family, in Scotty's (Account Executive) home, no man (or dog) is left behind. Their golden retriever, Frank, is served his very own roast with all the trimmings!
Laid-Back Christmases
While some families enjoy the glitz and glam of an extravagant day, other families, such as the Ross' and the Joshi’s, prefer to hang out in comfy pyjamas, succumb to their food coma and fall into a Christmas movie marathon. Gabe's (Account Executive) family open presents in the morning then head to the pub to see their wider relations, before heading home for a huge lunch & inevitable afternoon kip. Dev (Product Development, Operations and all-round Logistics super-star) describes a typical Christmas at home as a huge lunch followed by a sluggish post-food-binge walk, before falling asleep to Wallace and Gromit to close out the day - "Dad's off before the opening credits end!"
Competitive Christmases
Sienna's (Marketing Executive) family fall into the competitive Christmas category, seeing who can wear their Christmas cracker crown the longest. Most of the paper crowns stay on through the nights, and come Boxing Day morning, look as dishevelled as the whole family feel! There’s nothing quite like a bit of family rivalry. The ruthless giant jingo games in Gemma's (Founder and Creative Director) household usually end in injuries thanks to her uncle's elaborate moves!
Traditional Christmases
Meanwhile, some members of our team reminisce on the more traditional aspects of Christmas. Each year, Lucile, (Head of Growth) and her brother recreate the same photo putting up the Christmas tree decorations, whilst wearing Santa Hats with carols blaring in the background. Ale (Creative Designer) loves watching Home Alone with her sister on Christmas Eve, while Rachel (Account Executive) enjoys a hot chocolate with her family. Helen (Head of Spa) relishes in the gift giving aspect of Christmas, creating a Christmas Eve box for her daughter with her new pyjamas, a Christmas film, some hot chocolate & one present to open.
Quirky Christmases
Gemma’s Christmas traditions are slightly more distinctive. Gemma spends her Christmas Eve carol signing, drinking rubbish mulled wine and eating lasagna at her Mum and Dad’s. Her Christmas Day involves themed decorations - last year it was Dinosaurs! Whilst Gemma’s decorative skills are ‘epic’, she steers clear of the kitchen, leaving her mum and sister to the cauliflower cheese, while she concentrates on making mulled wine; a recipe she honed during her years spent living in Germany.
Influenced by his Spanish heritage, Nigel's (OTO's Tech Wiz) Christmas Eve dinner consists of fish-based delicacies. On Christmas day Nigel's family and other families congregate at one of their houses for a Christmas carol sing along accompanied by bucks fizz and some nibbles.
Christmases a Long Way from Home
On the rare occasion that we travel away for Christmas, in true ‘Brits abroad’ fashion, we tend to take our traditions with us and risk sticking out like a sore thumb. A certain member of our team, not naming and shaming, (Scotty), is the poster child for this. Contrarily, James (CEO) and Michael (OTO's Scientist) have had to readjust and embrace new traditions. Their Christmas’ growing up in Australia consisted of prawns with 1000 island dressing, backyard cricket and days spent in the pool. More recently, they have had to connect with their families over Skype. James has had no problem adopting one British tradition; the Christmas jumper. "He has built up a collection of 8 jumpers... long before it was on trend or even OK - full on Mr Darcy action" Gemma mocks.
Scented Christmases
During the festive season, smells, sounds and sights evoke memories and feelings that reconnect us with our past. For Celine (Digital Designer), the smell of chestnuts reminds her of her childhood Christmases with her uncle warming them in his chimney fire. Every year her family buy and share chestnuts together at the Christmas market.
Boozy Christmases
Tom, OTO's cocktail connoisseur's and Drink's Director, enjoys making his ultimate Christmas cocktail for his whole family to enjoy, and he has shared his recipe with us!
A Pomegranate and Vermouth Mulled Wine
- 500ml Pomegranate Juice
- 100ml Vermouth
- 200ml Red Wine
- Heated and mixed with thinly sliced oranges, cinnamon sticks, honey, cloves and allspice berries.
We wish you a Merry Christmas x