Carsten Maschmeyer and Veronica Ferres: “We don’t do gift fights anymore”

At Christmas, family comes first for Carsten Maschmeyer (65). “I’m happy that I’ll soon see many of my loved ones from my far-flung patchwork family again,” explains the entrepreneur and now grandfather of two in an interview with the news agency spot on news.

“I can never spend as much undisturbed time with my granddaughters and my family as I do at Christmas time,” says the “The Lions’ Den” investor happily. This also includes his bonus daughter Lilly, who brought his wife Veronica Ferres (59) into marriage. Together they continue a very special family tradition at Christmas year after year…

Carsten Maschmeyer: The best thing for me is the anticipation of knowing that I will soon see many of the loved ones from my far-flung patchwork family again. My bonus daughter Lilly lives in Los Angeles, my older son Marcel lives with his family in Hanover and London, my younger son Maurice lives with his wife Rachel in California. My two sons have made me a grandpa, a double grandpa so to speak. And I can never spend as much undisturbed time with my granddaughters and my family as I do at Christmas time.

Maschmeyer: I’ve been buying Christmas presents well in advance for a long time now, actually all year round, when I hear that someone wants something special. I also had a Saturday reserved in my calendar. I love strolling through the shops in downtown Munich and picking out gifts. The pre-Christmas atmosphere and the displays in the shop windows inspire me, and I often spontaneously come up with the most beautiful gift ideas. I like this much better than online shopping.

Maschmeyer: A few years ago we introduced a new custom: everyone only gives each other one gift. We no longer have previous gift battles with far too many gifts.

Maschmeyer: First I visit my younger son Marcel, his wife Marie and my granddaughter Malia in northern Germany. Then Veronica goes on to Los Angeles, where I visit my son Maurice, his wife Rachel and my granddaughter Aria Lily. Veronica’s daughter Lilly, my bonus daughter, also lives in California. It is a special gift when the whole family across three generations comes together to celebrate Christmas. I really appreciate that and look forward to these precious moments as a grandpa, as my children call me, with great anticipation.

Maschmeyer: It is a family tradition that we write personal letters to each other every year. In it we record which moments particularly moved or made us happy during the year and thus reflect on the last twelve months, but also give strength and inspiration for the coming year. These are very personal lines, just writing them is very contemplative and moments of reading bring us very close together as a family.

Maschmeyer: For me, a goose with dumplings, red cabbage and lots of sauce is simply a must in the run-up to Christmas. We have had fondue on Christmas Eve for many years, so everyone is their own cook. During the holidays we take turns cooking, so that each family member is the head chef.

Maschmeyer: We all know the unfortunately poor economic situation in Germany. My personal conclusion is that despite all the difficulties we have, we can sometimes be grateful. We live in a functioning democracy and even after new elections we will be governed by convinced democrats. Despite all the weaknesses of our system, this stands out positively from the bizarre spectacle in the USA.

Maschmeyer: That we will see light at the end of the political tunnel again in the coming months. I would like to see a stable majority for a functioning two-party coalition that agrees on the direction before taking office and does not start an argument about the right path along the way. But even more important: that there is finally more peace in the world again.