It’s that strange, in-between stretch of time -after Christmas, but not quite New Year’s- when the days feel like one big blur. Apparently, it’s called Twixmas and we love it!
There’s something satisfying about doing absolutely nothing and not feeling the least bit guilty about it. But if you’re itching to make these blurry days feel a little more intentional (without overdoing it, of course), we’ve got you covered. Think festive (and not-so-festive) things including films, books, a few favourite dining or tea spots for our Athenian friends, and a playlist that’s anything but your average Christmas soundtrack. Take it or leave it, mix it up, do what feels good. There’s no wrong way to do Twixmas.
What to watch
Home Alone I + II (1990 + 1992)
Is it really Christmas if you don’t rewatch either Home Alone or Home Alone 2—or even better, both? We don’t think so either! It’s practically obligatory to enjoy them with a big cheese pizza just for you. We don’t even need to explain what the movies are about. The only films we’d want to watch after that are Angels with Filthy Souls and Angels with Even Filthier Souls, of course!
White Christmas (1954)
What’s Christmas—cue the philosophical pondering—without an over-the-top, post-war extravaganza? With over 300 costumes, Edith Head must have had a blast designing them, and oh, did she deliver! Even the extras are meticulously dressed. Two musical stars team up with a sister act to help their former Army commander save his struggling country inn, while Vera-Ellen dances her way through the whole delightful affair!
Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
There are plenty of Christmas films from the ’40s and ’50s that we adore, but few as much as Christmas in Connecticut. For us, this film wins for three reasons: Barbara Stanwyck, S.Z. Sakall as Felix exclaiming, 'Catastrophe, what is it? It is good?' and the gorgeous house in the mountains. Of course, the snow, the towering Christmas tree, and the piano serenades all help set the perfect mood. The story follows a food writer who, having lied about being the perfect housewife, must scramble to cover her deception when her boss and a returning war hero invite themselves over for a traditional family Christmas.
Gremlins (1984)
The quintessential Christmas B-movie, Gremlins begins as a heartwarming Christmas tale but quickly turns into chaotic horror-comedy. The small-town setting, festive decorations, and iconic Gizmo tie it to the holiday spirit, while the mischievous Gremlins bring in the suspense and mayhem. It’s a perfect showcase of the 1980s “more is more” philosophy, delivering an audacious mix of holiday charm and anarchic energy!
Scrooged (1988)
A modern retelling of the classic Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, this film mixes dark comedy with supernatural elements. Bill Murray gives an amazing performance as Frank Cross bringing a cynical yet hilarious twist to the holiday season. The ghosts are a definite highlight! Each one is wonderfully eccentric and memorable in their own right.
What To read
Alexandra: “In Praise of Shadows” by Junichiro Tanizaki
A fully illustrated, beautifully produced edition of Japanese novelist Junichiro Tanizaki's evocative essay on Japanese culture. Tanizaki examines the contrasts between Western and Eastern aesthetics, celebrating the beauty of shadows and the delicate interplay of light and darkness in Japanese architecture. He reflects on the tension between modernity and tradition, the quiet profundity of simplicity, the shifting perspectives shaped by time, and the enigmatic presence of women within the darkness of the house of pleasure.
Valisia: “Hercule Poirot’s Christmas” by Agatha Christie
The words Christmas and mystery just seem to fit together, don't they? Something about immersing yourself in a story of intrigue and deception feels all the more captivating while surrounded by the glow of twinkling lights and the promise of goodwill. Few pleasures compare to curling up on the sofa with a steaming cup of tea, two sleepy cats at your feet and a copy of Dame Christie’s ‘Hercule Poirot’s Christmas’ in hand. It’s the perfect way to balance the season’s sweetness with a touch of cerebral suspense.
For those who prefer watching over reading: Hercule Poirot's Christmas
Stella: “The Architect is Absent”
Time to relax and dive into some Architecture! A perfect gift from Alexandra and, in my opinion, the best way to pass the time—learning. The book explores the whitewashed Cycladic villa that Iannis Xenakis designed in Amorgos in 1966 for his daughter, Mâkhi Xenakis, and her husband, François-Bernard Mâche. I once spent a good hour trying to find the house in Amorgos, and the only way I could describe it to the locals was 'the cloud house.' They replied, 'Ah! You mean that peculiar alien house?' 'Eeeeexactly!'
I’m absolutely fascinated by Xenakis’s genius, where he seamlessly blended mathematics, music, and architecture. Through Villa Mâche, Xenakis achieved a remarkable synthesis of modernist, ingenious design with the resilience to withstand harsh climatic and topographic conditions—all while staying perfectly attuned to Cycladic architectural traditions.
I wonder if Tadao Ando found inspiration in Villa Mâche for his Church of the Light in Ibaraki, Osaka, as I can definitely see the similarities.
More to read on the matter: De Machinas
What to listen to
You don’t need us to tell you which are the best classic Christmas songs, you can find endless perfectly curated lists on Spotify.
What we made is a sliiiiightly different Christmas list:
Where to go
The Afternoon High Tea of the Hotel Grande Bretagne
We’ve always been a little envious of those Poirot episodes where he’s sitting down to high tea in some lavish setting with gorgeous ceilings, marble tables, chandeliers sparkling overhead, and palms swaying in the background. The platters are stacked with cakes and crumbly scones (lime and cranberries, no less), paired with seasonal jams and clotted cream. It’s indulgent, over-the-top, and honestly, could anything feel more Christmassy? Afternoon High Tea at the Winter Garden City Lounge in the Grande Bretagne Hotel hits all those notes, with the kind of elegance that feels straight out of a royal tradition. It’s become one of those holiday staples for us, cozy, and just indulgent enough to count as a treat.
Il Salumaio di Atene
What’s better than a festive stroll through Kifisia, followed by a dinner at Il Salumaio di Atene? This iconic salumeria, around since 1998, serves everything from marinated salmon and blinis to Rossini with foie gras. The effortlessly luxe decor dressed for Christmas with fir trees, mistletoe, and cheeky little elves watching you eat, sets the mood perfectly. The menu is small but so well-curated you’ll want to try everything. Just don’t forget to book a table in advance. Do not forget to grab some goodies from the Italian cheese and charcuterie counter, for a NYE platter that’ll certainly impress your friends.
Bisous Bisous!