Silver Fox Twins Reflect: A Transatlantic Holiday Comparison, From Festive Lights to Family Church Services
- roywillwrite
- Dec 26, 2024
- 7 min read
The week between Christmas and New Year’s is often called "the most wonderful time of the year." For many, including the Silver Fox identical twins Roy and Troy Williams, this holiday season is filled with family, friends, and cherished traditions. Join us as we explore our contrasting yet similar celebrations across the Atlantic, highlighting the joy of Christmas and the excitement for New Year’s Day.
The week between Christmas and New Year’s Day is more than just a time for shopping and parties—it's a season filled with connection and joy. For the Silver Fox Williams Twins, this time of year is a meaningful opportunity to come together with family, share traditions, and celebrate our favorite moments. In this post, we will explore the heartwarming celebrations of Christmas and New Year’s in the United States and Europe, showcasing our unique experiences.
Roy's Perspective: Christmas Celebrations in the U.S.
Family gatherings play a crucial role in Christmas celebrations across America, and I, Roy, am proud to be part of the WOW Family (Webster-Oden-Williams). This year, we all came together for an afternoon brunch on Christmas at the suburban Birmingham, Ala. home of my sister-in-law, Kimberly Oden-Webster. We gathered for a Pajama Party celebration in the Leeds home of my brother-in-law, Andre Oden. We will ring in the New Year as a family at the Birmingham home of me and my wife, Patrice Oden Williams.
Decorating the Christmas tree is a treasured activity for all of our families. Each year, we transform our spaces with colorful lights, cherished ornaments, and festive wreaths, making our homes warm and inviting. This year, Patrice adorned our Birmingham home with four Christmas trees:
A Black Santa-themed Christmas tree in our basement family room with ornaments dating back to when our 25-year-old daughter Naja and 22-year-old son Royce were toddlers.
A Black Angel-themed Christmas tree in our dining room, filled with Black Angel ornaments that date back again to when our kids were toddlers.
A Black elf-themed Christmas tree in our sunroom.
A Kwanzaa African-themed tree in our front foyer that we keep up all year-round to pay tribute to our ancestral heritage.
Our holiday meals are equally special. This year at Thanksgiving, we enjoyed a feast of honey-glazed ham, turkey, dressing home-made by my wife Patrice, green beans, potato salad, and my late mother-in-law's generational pecan pies - made for the first time by my son Royce and I. This year on Christmas, we did something different - an afternoon brunch of scrambled eggs, shrimp n grits, sausage, and scrumptious pies. Watching beloved holiday film classics like “Elf,” the Jim Carrey version of “The Grinch,” and “Polar Express” are part of our annual tradition, bringing laughter and joy to the evenings.
A significant part of our celebration is attending church services. We cherish holiday season services at our family-founded church, The Tower of Prayer in Leeds. This year, after feasting during a pajama party with family members at my brother-in-law Andre Oden's home in Leeds, we rekindled a family tradition by attending the Christmas Eve service at The Church of the Advent in downtown Birmingham.
There is something magical about singing carols and celebrating together, reminding us of the season's deeper meanings — love, generosity, and community.
Like many other Americans, our homes were transformed with festive lights, Christmas trees adorned with ornaments, gifts and wreaths. Across many of our neighborhoods, drivers can experience the joy of seeing outdoor displays, including inflatable decorations and light shows.
New Year's in the United States
Next week, we look forward to New Year’s Eve worship service at the Tower of Prayer Church and then ringing in New Year’s together as a family.
In the United States, ringing in the New Year is a big festive occasion, from vibrant New Year's Eve parties to fireworks, and the iconic ball drop in New York’s Times Square. We as a family will gather on New Year’s Day for festive meals – as well as a personal favorite of my son Royce and I – watching New Year’s Bowls, this time taking special meaning with the debut of the College Football Playoff’s 8 finalists vying to make it to the national championship.
Holiday meals in the U.S. are quite a family gathering - traditional Christmas foods such as roast turkey, ham, and various pies. And of our eating our favorite dishes on New Year's Day, such as black-eyed peas, greens and more. As we move from Christmas to New Year’s, the excitement in the air is palpable. In the U.S., traditions vary widely, but food and fireworks often take center stage. New Year’s Eve usually culminates in lively gatherings filled with laughter, reflections on the past year, and resolutions for the future.
Troy's Perspective: Christmas Celebrations in Europe
Like the U.S., Europeans enjoy unique customs such as Saint Nicholas celebrations and Advent traditions. There is a strong emphasis on cozy gatherings and winter markets in each of the three countries I have lived in – my wife Hilde’s native Belgium, Germany and my current home country, The Netherlands.
All across Europe, large gatherings at Christmas City Markets is a popular way to celebrate Christmas. Christmas markets bring an extra layer of magic to the holiday season. They are a place to wander through rows of festive stalls, enjoy seasonal foods, and find handmade gifts in settings full of lights and holiday cheer. You can learn more from this interesting article . https://www.isango.com/theguidebook/christmas-markets-in-the-world/
From Germany to England, each market has its own unique charm. There is the historic Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany and the lively Winter Wonderland in London’s Hyde Park. These festive Christmas markets are a must-see for anyone visiting Europe during the Christmas and New Year’s seasons.
Near Kerkrade, The Netherlands where my family lives, the Brunssum Village Christmas Market was held 13 - 22 December. It is typical for many cities throughout Europe during the holidays. The most famous in our area is the Cologne Germany Christmas Market and here in Limburg The Netherlands the Valkenburg Christmas Market (famous for the caves).
Just as in the U.S., Europeans enjoy gathering with family to celebrate food and fellowship on Christmas. “My wife Hilde, son Thomas and I celebrated an awesome Christmas at her brother Frans house near Leuven, Belgium, the 14th Anniversary of our Amazing Williams Vos tradition! He is an amazing cook as his 4 course meal was so tasty! One stand out is a delicious “Italian Christmas Wreath" appetizer he made.
We now celebrate with European Christmas traditions. When Thomas was a kid, it was more traditional American. We moved to Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base Germany in 2001, just 9 miles away from Kerkrade. Sometimes we celebrated Christmas with her sisters families. Often visited various Christmas Markets too in Belgium or Germany. Awesome memories!
New Year’s Celebrations in Europe
As the Christmas festivities conclude, I, Troy, find that New Year’s celebrations in Europe bring a plethora of exciting traditions to embrace. In my home, Kerkrade, The Netherlands, the post-Christmas atmosphere as New Year’s Eve approaches buzzes with anticipation.
Fireworks mark the arrival of the new year, lighting up the night sky. Families will gather for a hearty meal, often featuring traditional Dutch dishes. Oliebollen, a type of fried doughnut, is a popular treat—around 80 million of these sweet delights are sold in the Netherlands during this festive season alone. As midnight approaches, we raise glasses of champagne and greet each other with “Gelukkig Nieuwjaar” (Happy New Year) amidst the cheers and laughter.
Just like festive New Year' Eve service my brother and fellow Americans experience, our New Year’s celebration is electric. Public squares in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium and other European cities fill with throngs of people, where everyone eagerly counts down to midnight, often gathered close to watch the bright fireworks light up the sky.
Shared Traditions: A Blend of Cultures
Despite the miles that separate us, the spirit of family and celebration fills our holidays with meaning. Both of us celebrate a fresh start. For many Americans, opening gifts on Christmas morning is a joyous ritual. In contrast, some European families exchange gifts on St. Nicholas Day or Christmas Eve, keeping the excitement alive throughout the season.
One of our cherished traditions is sharing meals with loved ones. In the U.S., we gather around tables filled with rich dishes—everything from turkey and stuffing to sweet pies. In contrast, the Dutch prepare festive meals that include oliebollen and rich stews. Regardless of the dish, food is a vital part of bringing us together.
Reflections on Celebration and Connection
As we reflect on our experiences of Christmas and New Year’s across different cultures, it is evident that the essence of these holidays remains similar. They evoke feelings of warmth, community, and hope for what lies ahead.
As the Silver Fox Twins, we value the unique traditions of our families while celebrating our differences. Each laugh shared and moment treasured fuels our love for this special time of the year. We encourage you to share your own holiday traditions and stories in the comments below, offering a chance to connect across cultures. Here’s to a new year filled with love, laughter, and celebration, wherever you might be!
In this transatlantic comparison, Roy and Troy, the Silver Fox Williams Twins, see that despite our geographic differences, the heart of our celebrations remains the same. Whether it's the warmth of family gatherings, the enchantment of traditions, or the thrill of welcoming a new year, Christmas and New Year’s Day connect us as we celebrate love, hope, and togetherness.
As we reflect on our holiday experiences, let’s continue to cherish the bonds that matter most. Here’s to celebrating life and the shared moments that make this time of year truly special. We hope our festive reflections bring you joy, and may your own celebrations be filled with love and connection!
Happy New Year in advance - May God bless you and your families in 2025!
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