christmas past or christmas presents

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I was brought up a Roman Catholic and at school they told us that baby Jesus was born on the 25th of December and told us the story of the three kings. My mother used to take me and my brother and sisters to midnight mass on the 24th  and in the church we saw the nativity scene. This shows baby Jesus with Joseph and Mary, his mother, and the three Kings. The three Kings brought Jesus expensive gifts – presents that were good enough for a king and when I was a child an important part of Christmas was this tradition of getting presents. The excitement about presents started in the middle of November with advertisments for toys on television: dolls that cried “real” tears, plastic games that would be fun for ½ hour before breaking, little remote-control cars that you could crash into furniture, relations and pets. I used to love these adverts and I spent many hours watching them.

However, I never asked my parents for any of the things I saw on Tv. I remember that I was happy with the presents I received. And I got a lot of presents. You see, my mother comes from a large family – I have 4 aunts and 3 uncles and a lot of cousins too– and Christmas was one of the rare occasions we all got together at my granny’s house. It was a family time and the family tradition was to give all the nephews and nieces a present – I remember a mountain of presents under the Christmas tree. I also remember going to visit Santa Claus (also called Father Christmas). All the children would line up and wait until it was their turn to sit on Father Christmas’ knees and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. So not only did we get presents from uncles, aunts, parents and grandparents, we also got presents from Santa. No school, lots of fun traditions like decorating the Christmas tree and loads of presents to play with made Christmas a magical time for me as a child.

Even when you grow up and stop believing in Santa Claus, the tradition of exchanging presents remains an important one at Christmas time. Some people write their own Christmas lists of the gifts they would like to receive, but this isn’t very popular. It takes away the joy of choosing the right gift and many people don’t want to know what is in the carefully wrapped presents under the tree because they want a surprise – it is as  if we all become kids again at Christmas. A well-chosen present carries the message: I have thought about you . Adults can be disappointed by an unsuitable or impersonal present, especially from close friends or family, as it can seem like the giver does not know who you are or what you like or dislike. This means that present-buying can be stressful. If you have a job or a family it can be difficult to find the time to go shopping  which is why shops are open later and 7 days a week before Christmas. Even so, you can still see desperate last-minute shoppers out on Christmas Eve!

Present buying is not easy and when you have to spend a lot of time thinking of what to get  it can seem that Christmas is only about the presents. I know this better than most people because my birthday is on the 24th of December. Most people feel sorry for me when I tell them that. They ask me if I only receive one present for my birthday and for Christmas. Well, it was never a problem for me as a child because I received loads of presents, and now, as an adult living away from home, I have realised that the present is not as important as being with the person who chose it. So this is my Christmas message I would like to share with everyone: don’t forget that what makes Christmas truly special is the opportunity to spend some peaceful time with the people you love. The presents are just a nice extra!

Merry Christmas everyone!
(and Happy Birthday to me!)

Your texts
Ines Aparici writes “Christmas is a pleasant occasion for me.  It takes me back to my childhood, not only in my memory but in my sensations as well. Nowadays I live 3,000 kilometres away from my parents, sisters and relatives.

However I have a large family living with me in this part of the world. I live in Tierra del Fuego, which is located at the southernmost extreme of South America. Here I live with my husband and three children and they mean almost everything to me so it is not so hard to be away from all of those who I also love. Besides I have developed a wonderful friendship here. These friends are almost as my own family and although I sometimes can go back to my parents’ house, every year I chose to spend these special days in my friends’ company.

When I was a child, Christmas would mean the entire family and relatives meeting at my grandmother’s house. She would roast a special chicken, which used to be decorated with golden ribbons tied to its legs.  There was plenty of homemade food such as biscuits, and deserts and lots of candy, almonds and nuts. There was an attractive smell in the air from the very moment you came through the entrance. An old aunt would cook some boiled eggs that were placed on a big dish wearing ears, noses, eyes and tails, looking like small white mice that we, the children, would fight for. So I will always remember it for its particular smell and taste besides the happiness the whole party gave us.   

Today things have turned out to be quite different. Besides the fact that our enormous family has scattered all over the country, things have turned difficult between some of us. So although we spend these holy days away from our grandma’s house we do not forget about that nice time we once had. Anyway some of us still keep certain traditions such as a special dinner with nightdresses and home made food. And there is always a bright Christmas tree full of presents and good surprises at midnight.”

Yamashiro Kae writes “The author recommends us the traditional Christmas. I think it is a good idea but I also think you can really enjoy the day with people who are important to you, such as family, friends and your partner, Even if you don't celebrate the day in a traditional way, it will also be a great Christmas. For example, in my home country, Japan, many people who are not Christian enjoy and celebrate Christmas day. In the cities, shops are decorated and everyone enjoys shopping. And at home children are looking forward to their Christmas presents and families enjoy delicious food. I’m sure it seems a bit strange that people who are not Christian celebrate the day. However, I think if everyone can be happy it's not a problem if we do traditional things and if we are Christian or not. Let's enjoy Christmas day!”

‘grazynajastrzebska’ writes “I live in Poland and in my country Christmas is the most important festival in the whole year ... our traditions date from the 10th century, since we became Christians. I am not religious at all but I love decorating the tree and having supper with my closest family on Christmas Eve ... Christmas time is the best opportunity to meet your closer family and friends, impossible during the rest of the year. Season's Greetings! May you find fulfilment and enjoyment in the New Year …”

Gulseren Yaman writes “I am a Muslim and we don’t celebrate Christmas but I appreciate Christians’ respect to their religion. Merry Christmas all Christians.”

BuiDuyQuang writes “In my country Christmas is an important event. TV programs broadcast a lot of music about Christmas Day. At Christmas the Catholic people go to church and pray. The children receive a present from Santa Claus. So Christmas Day in my country is very interesting.”

Your turn
If you celebrate Christmas, what does it mean to you? Send us your thoughts.

Links
BBC – Ten ages of Christmas
BBC – Video Nation: Christmas
Christmas traditions around the world
Christmas carols online

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