> So, what are YOUR interesting family traditions? :)
>
> Sosi"Sinterklaasje, kom mar binnen met je knecht... I doubt I spelled that all right, it's been AGES, but hey"qui

Although my family has almost no Continental connections, we are still pretty much the only family I know who make bitterbollen and stollen at Christmas. Not sure about the spelling there, mind you. So what are these delicacies, if you've never tried them? Bitterbollen are small balls of deep-fried breadcrumbs encasing a chicken, mushroom and vegetable sauce mix thingy. They are utterly FANTASTIC on a cold day. Stollen is a type of bread with dried fruit in it, and a great thick vein of marzipan running down the centre, representing Jesus. I wasn't aware when we first ate this stuff that Jesus was almond-flavoured and yellow, but there you go, you learn something new every day. For all I know, these foods might be completely usual in the States and elsewhere (I know bitterbollen are traditionally eaten in Germany - any input, Fuzzpilz?) but anyway, that's my family's weirdness for you.

That, and the fact that we've never believed in Santa. That's led to some horrified looks from old ladies when they've asked us what we got from Father Christmas and we've answered "Nothing."

Si-"We're all weird in our own special way"-gi