well are you happy because it’s the Holidays or are you happy happy??
I remember back home these were the most exciting few days of the year.. … because it was winter and because it was shaadee season.. almost everybody who’s anybody gets invited to one so you have your days planned out in advance; and it’s never a single date but a bunch of days.. and the Quaid’s birthday came and went somewhere in there..
New year arrived without much fanfare.. but of course you had already chosen what to do and where.. albeit a little too discreetly.. away from the Jamatya subversive activities..
Now here we are..it’s REALLY the ‘Holiday Season’.. and it’s ensured that we know it.. … the emptying parking lots at work.. the laizzes fair Boss, $10 bottles of wine on your table… the Holiday Social.. the vacation schedules..
and at home..all the thanksgiving/christmas reruns of every sitcom you’ll ever have time to watch… every commercial warning you how you’re the only one missing out on the incredible deals and outside, the malls full of shoppers, their faces agleam with a once a year glow..
The New Years Eve.. and you.. alone.. left with the predicament of whether to call it an early night or party out at the IHOP till the clock strikes 10:00p.m. cuz you can always see the New Years Ball in Time Square on the morning shows next day..
So what do you guys gals do in this season?? or dare i ask.. how do you celebrate Christmas?
Before I begin, couldnt help but notice the spelling of laissez faire sorry.
Holiday season this year is so different from any other Ive experienced. The Japanese love to celebrate the holiday season, for people who arent really Christian. So far Ive been to 3 different Christmas parties, donned red and black for one and actually received presents. It hasnt started snowing yet, but so far its been quite enjoyable. On the 25th were spending the day at Tokyo Disney, which should be quite exciting. Normally when Im at home at this time of year, its summer and we dont celebrate Christmas and my parents dont let me go out for new years, so its quite boring! Last year I was in Pakistan so that was alright. Yep, its feeling very festive in the city - its great I love it! Everywhere you go theyre playing christmasy music.
I dont do anything different than I do the rest of the year. Even worked on Eid. I like to see the excitement on peoples faces at the mall. It's nice to see so many smiles on the childrens faces, of course it would be nice to see them year round, instead of just before christmas.
I don't like Christmas season. There're way too many cranky ass shoppers who always push and shove. I usually just stay at home and play Mario Kart. Man, I sooooooooo rock at that game. I always whoop my brothers ass.
The Japanese must be celebrating it as an imported cultural event.. sounds interesting..
Munni, I work on Eid too.. but that’s because the ‘festivities’ are missing and the whole mood is not festive.. but Christmas is different.. you’re one of the few who are not ‘into’ it.. everything else around you is geared towards the celebration of the event..
allup kiddo those shoppers make the even what it is.. i don’t see no cranky ones at the malls i frequent though.. crazy .. yes.. i’ve never seen people buy stuff they may actually never need..
LK.. surprising that you’d find Christmas missing it’s cheer.. i mean u’re catholic for crying out loud.. no gifts under the tree for you?? no Santa visits.. have you been a bad girl.. ?? (ok i take that back.. this is not General).
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*Originally posted by PakistaniAbroad: *
... i've never seen people buy stuff they may actually never need...
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Stores don't sell unnecessary items. But stores make all item look so necessary for you. And many a times they present deals that tempts you into buying for future needs (my kitchen small appliances are used a lot and they may die any time and THIS ONE is really a good deal etc.) Goto Bestbuy, Office depot type of stores there people will be picking small accessories which will be used one or two times and then run around.
We don't celebrate Christmas, it's just a regular day for us. But you can't escape it, everywhere you go you get hit over the head with it. So our daughter is 22 months old now and she's fascinated with Santa Clause and Snowman. She doesn't know anything about receiving presents yet so we're still safe. When i was school age my parents used to put up a tree and give my brothers and I a present. it was just something to make us not feel left out.
It seemed kind of funny to me as a kid to do that. It didn't feel like "Oh wow Christmas morning is so special!!"We understood that the religion and the custom were two separate things so it was just fun. Besides, we got presents all the time for no reason from our parents. I may do that with my kids also when they get a little older. But they're also going to get a talk about the commercialism (not religion)that runs this holiday.
Christmas was fun as a kid, I remember forcing my parents into buying us a Christmas tree, decorations and lights etc. and presents nicely wrapped waiting under the Christmas tree…
And in them days it would snow like mad (it doesn’t snow at all anymore) we’d build snowmen, play snow-fights and slide around on our sledges all day long and then get a cold at night time and have to drink foul lemsip.
Short of having relatives and friends round for a turkey dinner we had everything else at Christmas. We still had the turkey dinner but just our family.
Oh and it was fun writing and receiving cards.
Christmas eve was fun cosying up in front of the fire whilst it’s snowing like mad outside the window (it doesn’t snow anymore) and watching some kiddie movie like Home Alone.
On Christmas day we’d get invited to a friends place or sometimes go to church with them and sing Christmas hymns and carols. My favourite was “Away in a manger, no crib for His bed…”
I’ve grown out of it now and when I have kids of my own I is not going to have them celebrating Christmas because we have to maintain our own identity, we’re here to have them think our way not us adopting their way, I could understand young kids might feel they are missing out on not celebrating Christmas that’s why I’m going to celebrate the two Eid’s the way they should be.
I guess for everyone born and raised in countries where it's celebrated it's always a dilemma.. to celebrate or not to celebrate..
wonder if parents can have 'Christmas' without the religious overtones.. heck if you want to go technical there aren't many 'religious overtones' left to holiday anyway....
I think kids just want presents and the lack of those may trigger that 'complex' of not having 'Christmas'.. do presents without the tree and the whole nine yards of ornaments etc work?
I think kids just want presents and the lack of those may trigger that 'complex' of not having 'Christmas'.. do presents without the tree and the whole nine yards of ornaments etc work?
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these are typical Japanese New Year decorations.. i dunno if there are any typical American New Year decorations.. and nope. last nigh't empty bottles don't count
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*Originally posted by Dhulfiqar: *
...
Oh and it was fun writing and receiving cards.
Christmas eve was fun cosying up in front of the fire whilst it’s snowing like mad outside the window (it doesn’t snow anymore) and watching some kiddie movie like Home Alone.
... when I have kids of my own I is not going to have them celebrating Christmas because we have to maintain our own identity, we’re here to have them think our way not us adopting their way, I could understand young kids might feel they are missing out on not celebrating Christmas that’s why I’m going to celebrate the two Eid’s the way they should be.
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How selfish of you, you "enjoyed" your childhood celebrating "Christmas" while you're gonna deprive your children of that "fun". You believe you are following "Islam" while you still had enjoyed "Christian" events in your childhood, why do you suspect your child won't follow "Islam" (even if it is of your level) if you let him "enjoy Christmas"?
sorry.