Dec 14 2011, 9:28 pm

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

Let’s start with how 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 will say, I’m far more likely to hear boat motors then sleigh bells.

What does it look like inside and outside your house for the holidays? I see white, but it’s beach sand, not snow. 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 palm trees are wrapped with Christmas lights and poinsettias are in everyone’s garden.  Wreaths are made from moss and sea grass and decorated with shells.

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

Christmas here feels warm. The evenings can be chilly and damp this time of year. Warm days and cool nights bring late night and early morning fog. Still many of the holiday parties are indoor outdoor by the pool parties.

Do you have your celebration Christmas Eve or Christmas Day? How does Santa arrive at your house? In Hawaii he goes between the islands dressed in print shorts and sandals in an outrigger canoe pulled by four pigs. His helpers are the menehune. Little people of the islands who live in the deep forest. In Norway he dresses in a heavy woolen red outfit and arrives in a sled pulled by reindeer. His elves help deliver the gifts. In Florida, sometimes Santa comes in a boat. His helpers are big burly guys who help deliver gifts with their trucks. Santa appears to some children in this country in Marine Corps dress blues.

Christmas lifesaver boxes went in every stocking.

Wasn’t Christmas without them.

My Christmas taste experience has a Spanish influence.  Christmas Eve dinner is Paella, saffron rice cooked with chicken, pork, and a variety of seafood.

Ali Oli, a garlic, mayonnaise like, spread eaten with crispy bread slices. (BTW we were never bothered by vampires)

Also on the table was frittata (a potato omelet), roast pork, flan, and citrus rind candy.

 At the family Christmas Eve party a dear auntie would smoke a stogie and drink down three fingers of bourbon. It was a tradition and she did it until she was 85.