Mattias’ Tradition: Rhymes, Gingerbread, and a Christmas Sleigh

Gift Rhymes and a Christmas Sleigh

Growing up, Mattias’ Christmas celebrations always began in his grandmother’s kitchen - where every single gift needed to come with a rhyme. The rhyme hinted at what was inside, and the fun came from trying to guess the present before opening it. Some were clever, some were funny, and some were completely misleading, but they always brought laughter. One year, Santa even arrived on a real horse and sleigh, making the tradition feel even more magical.

These rhymes became a defining part of the family’s holiday rhythm: personal, playful, and full of charm.

A Gingerbread House Showdown

Between the small gifts opened in the morning and the main gift-opening in the evening, the family filled the day with a fiercely competitive gingerbread house contest. Working in teams of two, they had about an hour to build the most impressive creation they could - using melted sugar as glue (handled very carefully by an adult brave enough to deal with the heat!).

The results were always wonderfully chaotic: collapsing roofs, architectural masterpieces, last-minute repairs, and plenty of laughter. For Mattias, the competition became just as important as the gifts - a tradition filled with creativity, teamwork, and festive rivalry.