Christmas is one of my favourite times of year, but it’s hard to say why. Not because I dislike it, but because of the many reasons I do like it. I remember writing a piece in primary school on what I like(d) most about Christmas, and I believe I said family; coming together to celebrate. Every year, we (my immediate family) travel to visit either my mother’s family, almost all of whom live in NSW, or my father’s family, almost all of whom live in Hawaii, and so we alternate every other year. I do love visiting my grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, and we always get together for Christmas day and Christmas dinner to exchange gifts. We all help with the cooking; in Hawaii, we all work in the kitchen together; when we visit my mother's family, we all bring a plate of food. A rather memorable Christmas was four years ago – spent in NSW – when I organised all of our cousins to participate in a “Nativity play” about three wise men and a farting camel. Oh, and a tractor driver. Don’t ask. But wherever we go, we never fail to have fun, because our families are generous, warm and funny. There are cousins that don’t – on my mother’s side – or can’t – on my father’s side – come, but nonetheless, we all get together for a good time. This year, we’re visiting my mother’s side of the family for two days, driving up on Christmas day and then driving to Sydney to stay in my grandmother’s apartment in Manly, though she doesn’t live there. Have to be back by the 3rd for my driving lesson and to receive my results on the 4th. What with all the travelling between families, we never used to be home on Christmas day itself, which never bothered me, but apparently bothered my brother, so now we try to be at home for Christmas day if we’re going to visit my mother's family; if we’re flying to Hawaii, we have to fly out a few days early.
Another of the said many things I love about Christmas is giving. For me, it truly is a gift in itself. I love shopping for people; there is a certain thrill in finding the perfect present. For example, when I went shopping for Pepito (with no particular ideas in mind) I found a mug with a cat on it. See, she loves cats (especially mine!) and tea; hence, it was a combination of her two loves. This year in my shopping I have found a new favourite place to shop; the Oxfam shop in Melbourne. Not only do they sell wonderful and unique gifts of great variety, but most – if not all – are handmade, and all are grown or crafted in countries such as India and Kenya. Money from your purchase goes towards these countries, so you really are buying a gift that gives twice.
Two more things I love about Christmas (really – what’s not to love? Well, Dancing Feet has a few ideas about that); cooking and carols. Specifically, I love the sweets; gingerbread (which I’m intending on making this year), cheesecake, candy canes, all that once-a-year special confectionary, dedicated to the season, advent calendars (which unfortunately I did not buy this year). And carols. It’s the one time of year we’re allowed to sing along, no matter how bad we are, and get away with it. To me, they just encapsulate the Christmas spirit, the merriness and the meaning of our celebrations. I may not be religious
Because there are only 5 days until Christmas, and I absolutely cannot wait, here are 5 comics that are vaguely Christmas, Thanksgiving or exams related:
As I’ve been speaking of Christmas decorations lately, here are four kinds I’ve seen in shops:
The Christmas decorations at Neiman Marcus are, every year, strings of butterflies hanging from the ceiling over the escalators. They tend to change; on previous occasions, they've been white and multi-coloured; but they're always spectacular.
The Christmas theme in Myer. I rather like it, I think it captures Christmas in two words. (Speak of Myer, did anyone see the Christmas windows this year? I took a brief look, but I didn't think they were any good. I mean, come on, Uno's Garden?! Is it even Christmas-related?)
An interesting take on Nutcrackers - less scary and more cuddly - in the foyer of the Marriot Hotel.
"Chior boys" - some of the most imaginative decorations I've seen - again, in the foyer of the Marriot hotel.
I seem to have started a Christmas countdown, so these are 3 things I want for Christmas (but won't necessarily get):
- New laptop (not fussy about what kind)
- All the Lost Souls
- A gift box from Lush
2 things I know I’m getting (because I told my brother to buy them for me, him lacking the necessary imagination and motivation I love about Christmas shopping):
- December Boys
- The Moon Looked On (Claire Bowditch and the Feeding Set)
But this is the Christmas season, a time of goodwill and cheer! Time to get wrapping!
x
Just a girl
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