Battlefords leaders share their Christmas traditions

Linda Machniak, chief operating officer of the Battlefords Chamber of Commerce, is of Norwegian and British ancestry, so she appreciates adding many of the tasty dishes she grew up with to her family’s table today.

“We typically incorporate some of the traditions from both of those cultures,” she told battlefordsNOW.

Since her maternal grandmother came from Norway, the family often has a variety of the meals that are still popular in the old country.

“There is lots of baking,… and there would be Lussekatter – Saffron buns,” Machniak said.

She said the Lussekatter are part of what is called the “Lady of Light” celebration, to welcome the season of light, which aligns with the period of Winter Solstice.

Machniak will also have some “Flatbrød”, a Norwegian flatbread, on the table. This is a thin crispy bread that’s usually eaten with a topping.

She will also be baking “Krumkake” — a type of light, mildly sweet crispy wafer-like Norwegian waffle cookie, as well as “Sandbakkels” or Norwegian shortbread cookies.

To add to the table, Machniak purchased some Ski Queen “Gjetost,” a type of creamy caramel-flavoured whey cheese from Norway for a snack. While the cheese can be difficult to find here at times, Machniak said she managed to pick some up at the Discovery Co-op this year as a treat.

The family will have a turkey dinner with all the fixings on Christmas Day. Then, they will follow a tradition from the British side of the family this year and enjoy a special Prime Rib dinner on New Year’s Day.

Machniak said the family also makes sure to keep their Christmas Tree up for the full 12 Days of Christmas, which wraps up on Jan. 5, 2022.

“I love Christmas. It’s my favourite time of the year,” she said.

For North Battleford Mayor David Gillan, who is of Irish and Scottish background, he said growing up in P.E.I. his family would usually have rabbit meat pie, made by his mother, when they come home from Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

“It’s quite tasty,” he said. “That’s my ‘unusual’ tradition growing up in an Irish house.”

This year, Gillan and his family will be getting together in the Battlefords area.

“We will be celebrating in an Irish way, but over the years it has become a bit more Canadianized,” he said.

Gillan said unfortunately he hasn’t picked up the rabbit meat pie recipe himself to be able to make the dish for his family, and will be missing the custom.

“This year, we are going to have to buy something from the store,” he said, with a laugh. “We will have to buy a substitute — maybe a chicken pot pie.”

Battleford Mayor Ames Leslie said some of the snack items his family will enjoy this Christmas will include a variety of tasty treats.

Leslie told battlefordsNOW in a text his family loves to indulge in stuffed mushrooms and a Pimento cheese dip to get in the holiday spirit.

And, when decorating, he says there will be none of that artificial Christmas tree convenience some families enjoy.

“It’s a real tree — always,” Leslie said.

Another family tradition is for everyone to spend Christmas Eve together, he said, wearing their new PJ’s while having a cozy evening, relaxing around the tree and sharing memories.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow

by Angela Brown

Battlefords leaders share their Christmas traditions

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