Brynhildur Þórðardóttir is an artist and a mother from Iceland. Her husband is Alexander Anyaegbunam, more commonly known as Rejje Snow, a musician from Ireland. Together, they have two children, Móa, four years old, and Bogi, who is eight months old, and for the past six years they have lived in Iceland and London.

What’s your favorite Christmas tradition?

My favorite Christmas tradition is probably my grandmother’s special cherry parfait, which we always make in my childhood home on the 23rd of December and serve on the 24th. I would also say making laufabrauð (traditional Icelandic deep-fried Christmas wafer), just like in so many other Icelandic homes – meeting up with the whole family and making laufabrauð together. And finally, I must mention baking Christmas cookies, especially gingerbread, as well as decorating it. To me, nothing’s as Christmassy as all this – and it’s fun to follow the traditions.

What do you enjoy most about the Christmas season?

I love how December slows everything down and allows you to be more present – candlelight and champagne, gingerbread and chocolate, Christmas lights and snow. Christmas has always been a time I cherish, spending time with family and friends, and feeling the warmth of being together. Maybe that’s what makes the holiday so beautiful, how it reminds us of the value of showing humility, love, and generosity, not only with gifts but also through presence, warmth and understanding. Christmas is the time for giving, listening, comforting, and honestly, there’s nothing more beautiful than that.