Breaking with tradition has been part of my “Christmas experience” for the past 15 years as I have moved around the globe. But it never ceases to amaze me how simple traditions are created and maintained from generation to generation simply because that’s “what we have always done”, and it is one of the most endearing things I love about Christmas!
For example, as a kid growing up in Australia it always seemed a little odd that we would spray fake frosting on the windows to emulate the condensation caused by the extreme temperature differences between inside and out. Where I grew up it was 30C in and 3oC out, so really didn’t make a lot of sense from a 7 year olds comprehension of thermodynamics. Or that for most of my childhood, I watched my dear mother, aunty and grand mothers slave over hot ovens and stoves to produce what was for sure a veritable feast, but again roast turkey, ham and chicken garnished with brussel sprouts (yuck, still don’t like them!) roast potatoes and veg, lashed with piping hot goose fat gravy all seemed quite excessive given that we lived in the sub tropics, without aircon! Thankfully that tradition did evolve in the mid eighties and the tradition transitioned to kilos of fresh prawns (shrimps, camarão), leafy salads and chilled slices of mango and water melon, much more practical!
This year I will again experience a Brazilian Christmas with its own quirky little traditions. Gone is my Aussie version; the anxious wait on Christmas morning, all sitting patiently around the Christmas tree, with no touching of presents until the Master Of Ceremonies (Dad in a Santa hat!) and the grand parents have all completed their cups of English Breakfast Tea before one by one each gift is delivered, opened and thank you kisses and hugs exchanged before moving onto the next. Yes, it used to take about 3 hours to open the presents! Here in Brasil, we stay up on on Christmas Eve and on the strike of midnight all gifts are distributed simultaneously, opened, enjoyed, thank you kisses and hugs exchanged; total time = 15 minutes! All followed by sweet cakes and chocolates! Love it!
So what ever traditions you will be observing, wherever you are on the planet, enjoy! I wish you all a very Merry Christmas with peace, love, and goodwill to all and may 2017 bring us all good health, happiness and prosperity! Oh and some fun too!
Best Wishes!
Christiaan