But ~ NOTHING.
Well, I can't actually say 'nothing' because there are a few places here that have the lights in the windows. I have been told by a friend that if you drive 2 hours, there is a little village that has set up Xmas lights everywhere. My thoughts...2 hours in a car, a 3 year-old, cold outside...ummm, NO. Luckily my husband felt the same!
In Japan some do give Christmas presents. Some parents give presents to their children, but the children do not give presents to the parents. The reasoning ~ only Santa bring presents, so once the children no longer believe in Santa the presents are no longer given. (That blows!) I mean who doesn't LOVE a good present??? No matter how old you are.
Anyway, December 25th is not a national holiday in Japan, although December 23rd, which is the birthdate of the present emperor, is. Here the Xmas tradition is to maybe put up a few lights, some even might have a tree - but the actual day of Xmas is sort of a 'date night' here.
You are supposed to spend that day/night with your significant other. Its not about family or anything like that. Christmas seems to be closer to the Western concept of Valentine's Day.
Christmas Eve has been hyped by the T.V. media as being a time for romantic miracles. It is seen as a time to be spent with one's boyfriend or girlfriend in a romantic setting, so fancy restaurants and hotels are often booked solid. It is also a time when girls get to reveal their affections to boys and vice versa. Because of this, extending a girl an invitation to be together on Christmas Eve has very deep, romantic implications.
For single women in Japan it is really crucial to have someone to spend Christmas eve with. It is also really important for them where they spend Christmas eve and what present they receive. The whole evening must be very special, gorgeous and romantic. Japanese women who have a boy friend tend to show off, so women who don't are not happy to talk about the topic.
There is also a "sarcasm" that Christmas is compared with a woman's age. Cake shops throughout Japan always try to sell all their Christmas cakes before Christmas eve. Any cakes left after Christmas are seen to be very old or out of date. Women over 25 years old have been referred to as 'unsold Xmas cake.'
NICE. I can only IMAGINE how well that would go over in the States. Think of all the black eyes and sore groins the men would have if they said that to a single woman age 25!!!!
Actually a very funny thought!
Something else strange, thanks to the marketing prowess of Kentucky Fried Chicken, the Christmas Chicken Dinner has become all the rage. Many Japanese even make reservations for their "Christmas Chicken" ahead of time. People will line up at the outlets to get their chickens. As a result of KFC's advertising, most Japanese now believe that Westerners celebrate Christmas with a chicken dinner instead of the more common ham or turkey.
Here in our house, we have our little Charlie Brown Xmas tree (which is shorter than I am), we have a handful of presents under the tree for the little guy (most of which are Japanese so if they tear-up, we have no idea how to read the instructions to fix them!!!) and we can't send any gifts home (not that I have found anything worthy of sending) because of the "nothing over 16 OUNCES" can be accepted to the USA right now).
Soooo...
what does one do here during this un-festive time...
WE PLAN A TRIP TO GUAM!
Now while I know Guam is NOT what you would normally think of when you think "vacation" - but, I hear its actually quite nice. A beach, warm weather, and SHOPPING!
Yes, shopping!
They speak English, they have real stores, and real food and, and, and...a water-park!!! (Yeah - who are the coolest parent's ever gonna be this year?!!!)
So while I am missing Xmas with family, missing the snow that we got at home, and missing getting my own presents...
I am going to be pretty happy to lay my very white American butt on a beautiful sandy beach!
メリークリスマス ~ Merry Christmas!
Deeds
4 comments:
Guam at Christmas sounds great! Soak up that sun girl!!! :) Love these posts! How much longer till u come home??? :) Merry Christmas from the states and from the Payne family!! :)
Thanks Gina! We were supposed to come home in July 2011 but the hubs may get extended and we may not be home until October 2011. Who knows.
But congratulations to you too. David is lovely. I can not wait to meet him!
Merry Xmas my friend!
Plus Guam is the good old USA! Xmas it up!
Wow Dee that is crazy! No Christmas celebration, time to come home for sure! Guam sounds fabulous! It has been snowing all day, a white Christmas! It is beautiful, a far cry from the beach. Soak up some rays for me and know you are so missed! Merry CHRISTmas friend! Hugs and kisses!
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