This year, I haven’t put any of the decorations up. Apart from the disapproval of my nephew and niece, so far I haven’t regretted it for a moment. The thing is, usually I work on Christmas Day. The fact that I’m not this year is actually totally surprising. So usually, with at least half the day spent at work and the other half at my sister’s house, decorations at home seem a little unnecessary. Although I’m sure the cats and possums enjoy them.
And guess what? I am loving the idea of having a break from putting them up this year, because it means I don’t need to take the damn things down again!
But I don’t want to give the impression I’m a total Grinch. Although my heart is, generally speaking, black and cold, I actually really do enjoy Christmas. I love spending time with my family, and who doesn’t love presents? But probably my favourite part of Christmas Day is that lull in the afternoon, when everyone’s in a food coma from lunch, and it’s so hot nobody wants to do anything but doze, and we get out the board games and the cards, and spend hours playing and laughing. Our lives are so busy that’s it’s great to just spend time together with nothing to do for hours except enjoy one another’s company. It might not sound like much, but that’s my family’s Christmas tradition. Playing board games and card games, and wearing silly paper hats.
So, however you celebrate the holiday season, I hope you have a great time. I hope you’re surrounded by the people you love, and I hope that you all have fun together. On Christmas Day I’ll be kicking back at my sister’s house, hopefully listening to some rain on the tin roof–we need the rain!–and remembering how to play canasta.
I know the impression we Australians like to give of Christmas is something like this:
But in the tropics it’s usually more like this:
I’d love to know what Christmas looks like in your part of the world? What traditions do you follow (for whatever you celebrate) and what traditions would you do away with if you could?
It’s nice to hear someone else talk about tropical Christmases. I think I’ve forgotten where you are, but clearly we will spend the day either sweltering because it doesn’t rain or dripping because it comes down buckets. I have the standby gas cooker and candles at the ready. Did I mention that we go to a quiet part of Litchfield National Park, with smoked chicken, cheese and bubbles. Head home about 1130 just as the hoards descend on the park.
And the kids/grandkids, they know that Christmas is for them and their friends and that they can spend quality time with us anytime they like during the year – and they do!
Ah, you’re in the NT! I’m in Townsville, so I imagine our weather is pretty much the same on Christmas Day. I know all about the emergency gas cooker and the candles at this time of year! Hopefully we get a lot of rain, but no actual cyclones. Have a great Christmas! It sounds like you’ve got the right idea.
I’m fast getting to the notion of celebrating the solstice. I suspect that’s a nose up to the corporations who spend millions on Christmas but have forgotten the spirit of Christmas.
Blessings
G
Last year I did not put up my Chritmas decorations and I felt somehow sad during Christmas. So this year I put all them up again… Despite the fact that there is only me and my cat in my house. I live in Spain, so my Christmas’ traditions and decorations are pretty average: Christmas tree, dinner with family, too much food, present exchanges… Sometimes I feel grumpy, sometimes I do enjoy them. It depends on my general mood. But I am quite happy as long as my family is there with me.
Happy Christmas for you and your family as well, Lisa. I hope you enjoy them!
Thank you, Susana! I hope you have a great Christmas as well! A few tiny decorations have snuck their way into my house, along with some cards, but so far I have no regrets about no tree and no lights. It’s just so hot and humid at the moment, the last thing I feel like doing is putting them all up and taking them down again.
With us it’s all about family, food and festivities. We have a gathering at a local Italian or Mexican restaurant the week before Christmas and everyone comes to our house on Christmas Day. Lots of food though the menu changes every year. Socks or sacks from Santa. Presents galore. Then card games and the stories ‘Remember when…’ all afternoon. If relatives can’t join us we call them sometime during the day and catch up. One staple is homemade eggnog. Mostly it’s just about having those you love close.
Of course! The “remember when…?” stories! Those are the best!
I hope you have a fantastic Christmas.