How to celebrate Christmas on the road?  It was a question Russ and I hadn’t really considered when we started planning this trip but it loomed large as the end of December approached. We had initially planned to spend the holidays in Vienna in order to explore the famous Christmas markets.  However, due to visa logistics, we decided to return to London and one of our favorite hotels, the Athenaeum.  Our dear friends Karen, Giles, Colin, and Matthew agreed to meet us there and bravely battled Europe’s biggest snowstorm and all sorts of ensuing travel challenges to do so.  We almost got to see the Cheek family, too, when they got stranded in London but sadly missed them by a day.  Touring highlights with the Troughtons included our very own (unheated!) red double-decker bus, with visits to St. Paul’s cathedral and the museum of Natural History, an outing by train to Oxford which included Harry Potter must-sees and the famous Bodlian library (where, incidentally Harry and crew receive dance lessons from Professor McGonagal), a special private shopping trip to Hamley’s toy store (a 250 year old, 7 story institution), and tickets to Phantom of the Opera, its sequel Love Never Dies, and Stomp.  The Tabors came over from Paris part way through our stay and the kids got to play soccer in Green Park, go ice-skating together at the Winter Wonderland, London’s largest holiday market cum Christmas carnival, and share a French gallette du roi (a special Christmas pastry filled with almond paste and a prize; the one who receives it in his or her slice is king for the day).  With three families in the same hotel, we were like our own insta-party. In addition to spending time with friends, we were also able to indulge in some of our favorite holiday traditions.  The amazing team at the Athenaeum arranged for Christmas trees in our rooms (one for each family) along with several packages of microwave popcorn and fresh cranberries.  On Christmas Eve, our nimble fingers were busy as we strung the red and white garlands.  We hung the finished masterpieces on the trees along with the wooden ornaments we had bought in Strasbourg.  Katherine decorated cookies for Santa which I had sadly over-baked but Santa didn’t seem to mind. Also on Christmas Eve, everyone except Russ and Katherine (who wasn’t feeling well), attended Christmas services at Westminster Abbey.  Approximately 3,000 others went, too.  It was beautiful to see the Abbey filled with decorations and so many smiling faces.  My favorite part was singing “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” in the candlelight.  The Abbey choir was extraordinary; they filled the massive space with music that left goosebumps in its wake.  On Christmas Day, we opened presents and champagne and enjoyed a feast of Lebanese take-out food as we watched “A Christmas Carol.”  Karen had bought a bunch of traditional British Christmas crackers which provided us with tons of entertainment.  These paper rolls provide a satisfying “snap” when you tug on the opposing ends and, once opened, reveal a tiny trinket, riddle, and paper crown.  We must have looked silly in our tissue tiaras as we sat there munching on lamb and tabbouleh but we were happy as could be.  It was an unconventionally delightful and delicious Christmas dinner which just goes to show that the only thing you really need at your holiday table each year are people you love.