Christmas Around The World

Dec 10 2017, 12:01 am in , ,

During Christmas do you hear what I hear? Do you see what I see?

Does your Christmas taste, smell, feel and look like mine?

Doubt it. When we think of the different ways Christmas is celebrated we generally think nationality differences and continental differences. Right here in this country Christmas is celebrated in dozens if not hundreds of different ways. Maybe you go to Rockefeller center to ice skate, or to the Plaza in Kansa City (with three hundred thousand other people) to see the lights come on. Or, in St. Augustine Florida, go to the Nights of Lights to see the whole town lit up and to the bay front to watch boats cruise by in their holiday finest.

Please visit over the next few days as friends from around the world will be sharing how they celebrate the Christmas Season.

During Christmas do you hear what I hear?

How do you say Merry Christmas? Around here it’s likely to be, “Y’all have a Merry Christmas.”

Or maybe, according to your heritage, you say one of these.

Mele Kalikimaka- Hawaiian

Feliz Navidad- Spanish

Joyeux Noël – French

Fršhliche Weihnachten!  – German

Buon Natale! – Italian

I’ll also add I’m far more likely to hear boat motors then sleigh bells.

Do you see what I see?

I grew up in Florida. Christmas never included snow. I do see white, but its beach sand. What does it look like inside and outside your house for the holidays? We made our own wreaths from cedar boughs or magnolia leaves, decorated with holly and humongous pinecones. Garlands were made of the same material, all of which we gathered ourselves. Table decorations could be palm fronds, magnolia leaves, holly and citrus fruit punctured with cloves.   

            

 I decorate with Santas in flower print shirts and sandals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   On my tree are twinkle lights covered with shells and plastic flamingos and starfish.

 

Outside I see white, but its beach sand, not snow.

I see poinsettias in gardens and palm trees, not Fraser firs, wrapped with Christmas lights. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I see my small coastal community brilliant with millions of lights.

 

After Christmas I see Santa, in his bright print shorts, riding a yellow bicycle on the beach or surfing.

Do you smell what I smell?

In Florida, as I mentioned, many Christmas wreaths and garlands were made with cedar branches. A decidedly different scent than the fir and pine boughs used in northern regions.  Table arrangements frequently included magnolia leaves and citrus punctured with whole cloves.

Paper white narcissus. 

O. My. I can’t describe the scent other than to say it’s Christmas to me.  I find it strange that with all the other places we’ve lived these are the only scents I associate with Christmas.

 

 

 

 

 

Do you feel what I feel?

Christmas here feels warm. No need for seven layers of clothing when you are out and about. Even though the evenings can be chilly and damp and a bit foggy this time of year many holiday parties are indoor/outdoor by the pool parties. Or, outside at gathered around a fire pit for an oyster roast. 

You certainly don’t feel terrified you’ll slip on the ice and break your bright and shiny hiney or, some reindeer is gonna run you over.

 

With the joys of social media we get to see what Christmas is like around the globe. As are many of you readers. Please share what the sight, sounds, tastes, smell, and feel of Christmas is to you.

                                                           Rita

 

   

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