Japanese Christmas

When I was a child, every Christmas Eve dinner was different.  Maybe this is where I got the love of trying new foods and recipes.  Each year, my parents would research traditional holiday meals in a particular country, then would prepare those foods for our Christmas Eve dinner.  This is how we discovered our (still today) favorites like Potska (Poland) and Vichyssoise (France). 

Once my sister and I left for college, the tradition phased out.  Instead, our Christmas dinner included our past favorites as well as a few traditional staples.  This year, I am bringing back the tradition.  But on a much simplier scale to accomodate raising two small children and a full schedule. 

This year, we are celebrating Japan.  In the next several posts, I will share the holiday meal.  (Please note, I researched the below information and translations using the internet.  I did not have the information or translastions verified or reviewed.) 

Each place setting had a menu, Christmas in Japan information card, oragami Lotus, chopsticks, and Japanese name card.  And, thanks to Shanghai Bistro, we had Asian bowls and plates!

Hanging above the dining table were pop-up stars made from both 12x12-inch paper and 6x6-inch paper. 

The "traditional" Western Christmas Eve dinner according to Japanese advertising.

Delicious steamed edamame.  A tasty snack.