A “Goat-send” Christmas

As I have mentioned before, my daughters and I take turns choosing a theme for our Christmas décor and menu every year, but this year, we decided to give my husband a turn. He chose to go for a “Vinyl Christmas”, meaning, music records, particularly an album by the Rolling Stones: Goat’s Head Soup.  Fortunately, he did not stop at that, but continued with the goat theme, incorporating elements from the Scandinavian tradition of the Yule Goat. Ornaments made of straw are some of the traditional forms the yule goat takes, and interestingly, straw ornaments are also one form of Mexican Arts and Crafts, taking shapes of stars, doves or bells, as seen at the top of this post, next to a Scandinavian yule goat ornament.

In the photo below, Mexican straw ornaments on the top row, and Scandinavian straw ornaments, including a yule goat, on the bottom row:

Our Christmas tree has a peaceful and earthy mood this year:

To complete the theme, a meal with inspiration from a Swedish Julbord (Christmas table) included a cold selection of paté, cheeses, prickled and smoked fish and vegetables, crackers and fruit, and a hot dish menu with Swedish meatballs, red berry sauce, mashed potatoes and deviled eggs:

Once again, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone who kindly stops by my blog, and their loved ones, all the best for this holiday season. 

Whether celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa,
already celebrated a major holiday, or observe none,
please receive my most sincere wishes for joy, love, health,
and especially hope for peace around the world!