Merry Christmas
Having just arrived back from beautiful cold new York to cold dark London it seems it’s Christmas already. Not sure when that happened, but it has got me thinking about traditions. My family is not big on traditions however I’ve been fortunate enough to share my christmas with a family that does. Their traditions are nothing out of the ordinary - and yet, for me, they seem alien, unfathomable and absolutely wonderful.
The season kicks off with Christmas music and egg nog, followed by family feasts, ritual presents (socks and pants - necessary and awesome) but the real difference is the atmosphere.
Christmas at mine is a high pressure situation complete with the same arguing and faux busieness of the year before (and the 26 before that). There is a strong focus on present buying, something which I’ve never enjoyed. Although I love giving presents, the idea of cost entering into it so takes away from what it means to give a gift that I can’t enjoy it. If presents were sex, christmas would be a one night stand.
So how to conquer this? Well, i’m going to take results as causation, in the hope that a few nice traditions will foster the spirit of goodwill and cheer that I think we all want. As well as taking from my one time adoptive family, i also plan on stealing from tv shows (pajamas the night before - thanks modern family) and coming up with a few of my own. Then by shear brute force I’ll ram these into being. I’m sure traditions aren’t meant to be stolen, but hey, if the alternative is another Christmas sat in front of the tv watching trash followed by a morning unwrapping generic gifts, I think I know which route I’ll take.
Merry Christmas all and if anyone out there in the inter web feels like contributing their Christmas traditions I’m all ears.
