Warning: This post treats Christmas like Valentines.So my fourth Christmas in Japan rolls around (previous three being '04, '06-'07). Japanese don't do Christmas like Westerners do (though, if you think about it, do Westerners even do Christmas like Westerners "did"?). It's much harder to sucker parents into buying gifts for their kids when New Years (and it's gift-giving traditions) are just around the corner.
So JapaXmas takes its leaf from the other book of holiday marketing, and plays it up as a romantic occasion. As a friend told me yesterday, she feels lonelier on Christmas Eve without a boyfriend than she does on Valentines. At least on Valentines you can give to multiple people without the need to be dating. On Xmas Eve, everything's a bit more "couples only". That is, good luck getting into an Italian restaurant without a reservation.
I do despise commercialism of tradition, but I do enjoy a night out with the missus, and it's a good excuse to splurge a bit (what recession?). Last night it was a slightly over-priced pasta restaurant and a bottle of savignon blanc. Very nice.
Was nice to get in a hello to the family this morning too - we didn't get the connection speed to be able to do a webcam present-opening session, but I still got to see their lovely faces, including Caleb (my 6-month-old stand-in).
I, for my part on the receiving end, got a bag, a belt, a tie, a novel and a sweater. Now all I need is slippers, socks and a dressing gown and I think I'm ready to fastforward to my 40s. Nah, they were all awesome gifts and I'm very lucky to get anything.
My gift from me to me was a new digicam - Canon Powershot IXY 920IS - which was on special thanks to this lovely dip in the economy. I'll probably regret it later when I lose my job and have to scrounge for cash.
Feliz navidad a todos - I wish I could be with everyone I know! Especially because then I could probably score some free food ;)
1 comment:
That pic of your family on the computer is really cool!!
Post a Comment