We started our festive season with a fun night out at the Sablon. They had all the shops open late with goodies being served, wine and champagne in the center lot and music on stage. Here is Sofie posing in front of our tiny tree.
Of course we visited the Brussels Christmas market one night with our friends, the Devines. The funny part about the Brussels market is that along with the adorable decorated huts, festive lights, gluwine, and roasted chestnuts are things like the "Ice Monster" which is a giant inflatable horror house! You will also see the most terrifying creatures on the carousel, drunk reindeer, and half naked santa helpers. It is very strange, but we knew what to expect this year and had a great night!
Next we had a short weekend trip up to Stockholm to visit Anna and see the Swedish Christmas markets. Anna lives in a great area on the island of Sodermalm, where we stayed also. We met up at our hotel, then she took us for a walking tour through the old town and over to her apartment for dinner. 
Saturday we bundled up at took the ferry to Skansen which is an island thats set up as a traditional Swedish village, with little houses, shops, animals, and a Christmas market. They are definitely more traditional, and it was very interesting to see another set of christmas rituals. They like to dance around the christmas tree, there was a band playing carols, of course lots of glug and gingerbread (pepperkaken), and little tomta's that you place under the tree. They look like gnomes with red pointy hats and furry beards and according to Anna they "do things" at night to help Santa.
It had just snowed in Stockholm, so everything was so white and Christmasy! It was great to see Anna and Carl- and we really loved Stockholm.
