According to Easterners, times of crisis are also times of great opportunity—and this Christmas 2020 is no exception. We may be spending more time at home and doing less shopping, but we'll certainly have more time for ourselves and the people we care about: those we live with and close friends. A less flashy and more intimate Christmas, where we won't be jetting off around the world, but we'll have time to cook a special meal, dedicate ourselves to yoga, or discover the wonders of city parks. No skiing, but plenty of free time, and for those who want to feel good, this could be the best gift!
What follows are our suggestions for tackling Christmas 2020, ViVi tools to end the year on a high note and start the new one with the best energy: how to cook Christmas dishes, where to find the right music to ignite the magic of Christmas, and how to exercise to regain your mind-body balance.
With our best wishes to our entire Community!
What to Cook for Christmas – ViVi Recipes
Cooking is the simplest way to share life's pleasures, regardless of how many people you're dining with. In fact, the most intimate tables are often the most successful. We don't offer a complete menu, but we'll highlight some of our most suitable dishes for these holidays: delicious, simple, and traditional recipes that don't necessarily cost an arm and a leg!
A nice plate of hummus It's a great way to start any party because it's a food meant to be shared! While waiting for lunch, perhaps sipping a nice glass of wine, hummus is just the thing to set the mood. Everyone loves it, it's incredibly healthy, and it's inexpensive. Not to mention that chickpeas are a clean food, a superfood in terms of environmental sustainability. Discover the hummus recipe >
If you want a healthy and tasty first course, we recommend a wonderful pumpkin cream soup, with ginger and cumin, a veggie dish full of love for your belly. Discover the pumpkin soup recipe >
Christmas is the perfect time to get started cooking fabulous Ravioli stuffed with late-ripening tomatoes that we serve at Le Serre. The recipe was created by our Chef Advisor Pantaleo Amato and is amazing! It requires simple, genuine ingredients and a little patience in the preparation (late-ripening tomatoes must be peeled, so they must be blanched and peeled one by one with great care). It takes a bit of work, but the result is breathtaking! Discover the recipe for Ravioli stuffed with late tomatoes >
To finish, we suggest a carrot cake. The recipe is from our gluten-free ViVi Bakery Carrot Cake. Discover the Carrot Cake recipe >
Decorations, lights, music: How to light up the magic of Christmas – ViVi music
Whether you're with four, two, or just one, Christmas is all about surrounding yourself with a magical atmosphere. A carefully set table is an essential accompaniment to every dish. Sometimes small details can make all the difference: cloth napkins instead of paper, candles, and a beautiful centerpiece, perhaps made of mandarin oranges, hazelnuts, dried leaves, and pine cones collected during your last walk in the park. A Christmas tree is a must-have in your home, no matter how small or creative. If you don't feel like buying one, you can always decorate a houseplant with a few fairy lights, preferably solar-powered ones.
Don't forget a soundtrack that lifts your mood and can be played in the background. ViVi recommends the selection by Cecilia Scougall, the legendary director of the Villa Pamphili bistro and the curator of our music selection. On her Spotify profile ceciliascougall you will find our ViVi Mood playlist.
How to Exercise During Christmas - ViVi lo Yoga
The Christmas holidays aren't exactly the time for exercise. Usually, around this time of year, we think: January is all about dieting. Which means cutting back on exercise and overindulging during the holidays. But this Christmas is a little different, right? A great opportunity to take care of yourself and your body!
We at ViVi recommend starting your day or breaking up your afternoon with yoga—breathing, movement, and meditation—to find mental and physical harmony after a difficult year. How can you do it without leaving home? Simple: Visit our YouTube channel and discover all the online Yoga classes from our legendary trainer Michela Maltoni., who led the ViVi practice with joy and skill a few months ago. All you need is a mat and a little time, especially mental time.
Alternatively, Villa Pamphili Park, with its 184 hectares of greenery, is a paradise for winter walks—which, if you wish, can be crowned with a delicious visit to our bistro, where we will be offering takeaway service throughout the holidays!
