Christmas Card 2025

 

Hoping that our virtual holiday card finds you well and enjoying the holiday season. We're at home, enjoying time together and local holiday activities. It's especially important this year, because Emily is not with us during the week, as she is taking a training program for potential work with Costa Cruises. The training is held in Palermo, so she is there during the week and back home on the weekends. 

On Thursdays, the students go on board Costa Smeralda, while she's in port in Palermo.

Now that I've experienced a few Christmas holidays in Sicily, I've really come to appreciate the approach. The Christmas season extends from December 8, Feast of the Immaculate Conception (a holiday) through January 6, Epiphany (also a holiday). Included in this period are saint days for Lucia and Stefano (the 26th, also a holiday) and New Year's (and covers the 12 Days of Christmas). 

Now, it may seem like that is a long period and might be stressful, but it's actually the opposite. There is a slow experience in this period, matching the season of shortening days, and there isn't a big "rush" to do all the celebrating on Christmas Eve and Day. I enjoy having days to walk around and see decorations and activities (e.g. there are Tombola - like Bingo - games for children many evenings), go to concerts, have a drink or meal with friends, and enjoy walks on the lungomare.

Getting in the spirit with decorations.

We had both of the traditional Italian treats this year. Are you Team Pandoro or Team Panettone? All three of us prefer Panettone. 

We enjoy checking out the annual Presepi (Nativities) display by local artists held at Chiesa Porto Salvo.

I like these made from recycled materials. The one that used bottle caps and wine corks was made by Emily's friend Francesca.

Lobby decorations at a local hotel.

Thirty seconds of cute! Children from one of the local English language schools sing John Lennon's Imagine.

At Christ the King Church for a concert, I realized I'd never really taken photos to share of one of our ABCs.

Lungomare Walks

City Walks

We managed to do some great travel this year, including special times spent with friends and family. I wrote about several of these trips (although not all yet - I'm always behind!). If you want to read about any, just look in the Archive for 2025 titles.

Google Photos made us these nice collages, called John Around the World and Chris Around the World. They brought a smile to my face. John's collage: Palermo, Malta, France, Ireland, UK, The Danube, Hungary, Austria.

 Chris's Collage: Cresta (Sicily), Malta, France, Ireland, Isle of Man, Scotland, Austria, Hungary, Slovakia.

Cheers! Best wishes for the holiday season from John, Chris, and Emily!