Vienna, Austria – December 25th, 2002
Guten Morgen, my darling darlings!
Oh my goodness, I hope you've all had the most magical Christmas Eve! It was truly breathtaking here in Vienna. We started with a lovely carol service at the stunning Stephansdom – the Vienna Cathedral – a breathtaking building adorned with Christmas trees and glittering lights. The acoustics in that old cathedral are amazing, the hymns just echoed off the stone walls in such a beautiful way. Then, we had the most delicious festive dinner with all the trimmings – sausages, potatoes, gravy, and of course, a magnificent strudel for dessert. It was such a perfect start to Christmas Day.
But let me tell you, darling, this is no ordinary Christmas morning! Because today is my birthday too! Yes, that’s right, this enchanting pink-tutu-clad ballerina was born on Christmas Day! It makes for a truly festive affair, and my darling family have gone above and beyond to make this a Christmas to remember. They know how much I adore my colour pink, so this year, the tree was adorned in the most exquisite pink baubles, and my stocking was overflowing with the most fabulous pink presents – a pink knitted cardigan, pink gloves, pink candy, pink candles! It was just a symphony of pink! Oh, and of course, the highlight was the tutu! My darling Mama made me the most beautiful pink tutu, hand-sewn with sequins and frills – perfect for twirling and pirouettes.
After the excitement of the morning, we decided to explore the Christmas market. Vienna is really coming alive for Christmas – it feels so magical with all the lights, the smells of cinnamon and gingerbread, and the merry carols floating through the air. We went to the Christmas Market at the Rathausplatz. I've told you all before, there is just something utterly enchanting about European Christmas Markets, especially with those traditional wooden stalls and glittering Christmas lights strung up everywhere! The whole city sparkles, doesn’t it? It truly is the season to be jolly, and I’m definitely feeling the Christmas spirit!
I found the most charming pink knitted gloves, oh darling, and they had just the tiniest sparkly sequins. The colours of Christmas are, naturally, pink, red and green, with all the glitter you can get. I’ll pop up a picture in my post later today so you can have a peek!
Now, Christmas Day here is a little different from what we do back home. It's less about opening gifts in the morning, and more about spending the entire day with loved ones, indulging in the delicious festive food, and enjoying each other’s company. And believe me, family time is truly the best kind of time. My family and I just had the most enchanting lunch – goose with all the trimmings and a gorgeous creamy chestnut soup that practically melted in my mouth. My favourite dish had to be the delicious strudel, it’s an absolute classic and perfect for any occasion, even better on Christmas Day!
For me, the day wouldn’t be complete without some dancing. And so, we all put on our fancy dresses and went to the Vienna State Opera. Oh my dear, let me tell you, it was nothing short of spectacular! A breathtaking performance of Tchaikovsky’s "The Nutcracker". It’s truly the ballet that brought Christmas magic to life for me as a little girl, and it holds such a special place in my heart. And oh darling, the dancers were absolutely phenomenal! I felt transported to the Land of Sweets myself, it was such a delightful performance. And can we talk about the costumes? Such intricate details, sparkling fabrics and some absolutely breathtaking tulle! It reminded me of all the beautiful ballet tutus I have seen on stage in England and on our trip through Europe earlier this year. It was all a beautiful spectacle and certainly made me fall a little more in love with Vienna!
You can imagine the amount of glitter I was sporting for the evening. As usual, I kept the look simple: a long, flowing, and ever-so-slightly-ruffled pink dress (that looked awfully like a princess's ball gown) and my pink, sparkly tutu on top, which brought a dash of festive magic to the whole affair. And oh my darling, how lovely it was to see a few others also embracing the magic of the pink tutu. The sparkle and tutus certainly lit up the room, don't you think? I have noticed many people are sporting sparkly tutus here in Vienna. I do hope it becomes the fashion statement of the year. I am certain I am not the only one to find something about the ballet and tutus incredibly festive, it is a feeling of pure, light hearted joy, especially at Christmas time!
The afternoon was filled with laughter, Christmas cheer, dancing, and just enjoying the special bond of family. I think my favourite memory of the day was seeing the delighted look on my little nephew's face. He was mesmerized by the whole opera experience. To watch a child’s imagination take flight at the theatre - oh, darling, there’s nothing quite like it!
After all that excitement, I am now nestled in my cosy hotel room. The air is still filled with the scent of cinnamon, and the city lights glimmer like distant stars. My tutu is tucked neatly away in its box, ready for tomorrow's adventures, and the feeling of Christmas cheer still fills my heart.
Now, dear darlings, as it is Christmas Day, and the first day of my holiday season, let’s enjoy a festive glass of fruity Prosecco, raise our glasses to good cheer and make a toast to everyone celebrating this Christmas. May this Christmas season bring joy, peace, love and laughter, and remember, don't be afraid to wear a pink tutu, my dear, for it can turn the most ordinary day into something extraordinary!
Much love from a pink-tutu-clad ballerina,
Emma
XOXO
P.S. You can follow me on my travels on www.pink-tutu.com, and follow me on social media, my handles are @EmmaPinkTutu.
And to end this wonderful Christmas Day, and to further share my joy with you all, I want to offer some little tidbits on Christmas in Vienna!
Vienna is an absolutely gorgeous city to experience at Christmas time! The city is adorned with decorations, lights and markets are scattered throughout the whole city. The city practically twinkles. You just have to remember that during this time, the city will be bustling, with so many locals and tourists all enjoying the Christmas spirit. It can be difficult to navigate some areas of the city, so give yourself plenty of time.
You must absolutely take a tour around the Schönbrunn Palace, It truly is stunning at Christmas! With Christmas decorations and a beautiful Christmas Market too, there’s just something so enchanting about it.
If you're after that perfect festive souvenir, be sure to visit the Christmas market at the Rathausplatz (Vienna City Hall). It is the perfect mix of handmade, traditional crafts and goodies with a little bit of modern Christmas flare. I always pick up little Christmas decorations at Christmas markets and I’ve found some amazing treasures there over the years.
To immerse yourself in that festive feeling, visit a festive carol concert, it truly is something special to witness. My top choice is the Stephansdom Cathedral in Vienna, I loved my performance there this year.
Vienna is definitely not as bustling or fast paced as the UK. People take their time and embrace the festive spirit. So remember to relax, slow down, and really enjoy every moment!
Until next week!
XOXO
