A Thanksgiving Celebration!

The Aggenbachs share precious family time – and a Christmas feast – in their beautiful down-to-earth home.

- Johané Neilson, Marian van Wyk and Beatrice Moore-Nöthnagel

Christmas Day in the Aggenbach household is a time for reflection.

There’s always a fire or two on the go and the festive meal consists of dishes that can easily be prepared in advance.

“We’re not focused on gifts; our priority is the atmosphere and being together,” says Jolanda, the hostess and creative mind behind this Christmas gathering. “It is a thanksgiving celebration and there’s nothing out of the ordinary on the table. We simply make each member of the family’s favourite dish.”

So it’s no surprise to find items such as ‘Jana’s salted potatoes’ and ‘Yanke’s carrot cake’ on the menu; not to mention ‘Jolanda’s wild coleslaw’! ‘Hennie’s venison fillet à la Wellington’ is also a traditional favourite.

Hennie is one of three partners in a game farm near Hopefield. He feels very strongly about conservation and is, of course, passionate about wildlife.