How to kill time – and not your family – in quarantine during the Holidays: Hungarian edition

Everyone’s favourite holiday is just around the corner, but this year, it will look a lot different from what we are used to. With the exception of some countries, this Christmas will definitely bring a new experience to everyone, whether you spend it in quarantine or with curfew restrictions in place.

Seeing your loved ones at this time of year is one of the best things, but the current situation forces us all to adjust and find a way not to be overwhelmed as one can have too much of a good thing. As we wrote previously, those travelling to Hungary for Christmas will have to stay in a 10-day-long quarantine if they choose not to take two PCR tests, but the curfew previously set up by the government will stay in effect anyway. This forces the whole country to spend much more time indoors and with company than they would normally do, and it can lead to misunderstandings and little fights even with those we love the most. Worry not, we have put together a little list for you to enjoy time spent with your family while staying safe and sane.

1. Prepare yourself a hot chocolate or a nice tea, get on the couch, and cover yourself with a huge blanket (as long as you live in a country with a climate similar to Hungary’s, of course), and get ready to learn about the life of one of the internationally best-known and popular Hungarian writers. Several works of Szabó Magda are required reading in Hungarian high schools for a reason. The book we chose for this list is her autobiography titled Für Elise, in which she writes about a teenage girl growing up and forming relationships with friends, family, and teachers in the last century, from 1927 to 1935. The favourite Szabó Magda book of this article’s writer will make even the emotionally strongest people sob.
   You can get it from here.
   
   If you liked Für Elise, go to Amazon where you can find several of her books in different languages.
   
   
2. Being locked inside for days is very trying if you have kids, especially little ones. Head over to Amazon for entertainment. The classic Sorry! Game is perfect for kids thanks to its simple gameplay. Even though the box says it is ideal for children from age 6, smaller kids will enjoy it just as much.
   
   
3. After hours of joy and laughs, when you have put your kids to bed, it is time for some adult fun. No, we do not mean that kind of fun. Get a bottle of the best pálinka (a little help here), gather all the adults of the house, and let’s play roulette. Rules are extremely easy and a good time is guaranteed. Buy the board from here.
   
   

   Photo: www.brillpalinkahaz.hu

4. Can Christmas be complete without sweet treats? Absolutely not. A perfect craft to do with kids is preparing Hungary’s iconic treat of the holidays, szaloncukor. It is very easy to make and does not require a lot of ingredients. Moreover, once it is done, wrap them in a festive wrapping paper to complete your Christmas tree decoration. Click here to see how to make szaloncukor of the most popular flavours. 
   
   

   Photo: www.facebook.com/SzamosCsokoládéIskola

   
   
5. While szaloncukor brings back childhood memories to all Hungarians, it is not the only sweet food to be put on the Christmas table. The most iconic element of a Hungarian Christmas and its markets is bejgli, which takes a bit more time than szaloncukor to prepare, but it is the perfect plan to pass the day and have a tasty outcome. Find the recipe here.
   
   

   walnut and poppy seed filled bejgli

6. What is the best thing to do on a cold, windy, or snowy night? Watching a nice movie, of course. When you have got bored of all the Home Alone movies, watch a classic Hungarian one, The Witness, that was banned for many years due to its satirical commentary on the post-World War II Soviet regime. Learn a little about Hungarian history while having a good laugh.
   You can watch it online clicking here. 

Despite the curfew and the ban on events and gatherings with more than 10 people staying in effect on New Year’s Eve, we can still enjoy the last day of this awful year and step into the new one with energy, hopes, and ideas. Even if you cannot go out to have a party or spend the last night of the year with your friends,

dress up, grab a glass of one of the best Hungarian sparkling wines, and do not forget to take a bunch of pictures.

This year has been especially hard on all of us, but we have survived it, and we are ready for a new and fresh year.