The Christmas implosion
Dec. 7th, 2009 04:45 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
janestarzUs silly Dutch always have to wait with decorating for Christmas until Sinterklaas has left the country. On December 6th, people start breaking out the decorations, buying trees and planning for elaborate dinners.
At work, it seems like a huge implosion of Christmassy stuff has happened. There's a huge fake tree in the foyer opposite the security desk, with large silver bows and silvery, possibly glass, balls. In our own coffee corner is a tiny fake tree where the balls get bigger the closer they are to the ground, in bright red and silver colours. I've no doubts that to whichever coffee corner I go, I'll find a similar decoration. And the cafeteria has all its railings decorated with fake greens with loads of lights.
When I go home, I see loads of decorated gardens. Some are garishly decorated with huge cardboard cutout sleighs, others just have a few lights in their topiaries.
I remember that when I was a child, mom and dad distracted us from the long, two-hour drive to grandma by letting us count Christmas trees. Jona Lewie's "Stop the Cavalry" and The Young Ones' "Living Doll" are vivid memories as well from these trips.
I have no special feelings about Christmas. The tree will die on our balcony year upon year, I only start running up to Christmas after the Midwinterfair has been, and the days surrounding Christmas are always filled with obligation and long, garish Christmas dinners where we always over-eat. Having divorced parents and then some in-laws as well, there are three celebrations I am not particularly looking forward to.
Luckily this year I have the week between Christmas and the New Year off, and I haven't the foggiest about how I'll spend it. Perhaps I'll have a bright idea by then.
No, it's not my favorite holiday, but at least I'll have something to look at during my 50 minute bus drive.
The trouble I have is that I haven't a clue how to make this holiday fun. I hate to be a spoilsport, but I can't wrap my head around making Christmas fun. My parents can't be in one room together unless you like icy temperatures, we're not fond of large dinners, and NoKey hates fake trees! Any suggestions?
At work, it seems like a huge implosion of Christmassy stuff has happened. There's a huge fake tree in the foyer opposite the security desk, with large silver bows and silvery, possibly glass, balls. In our own coffee corner is a tiny fake tree where the balls get bigger the closer they are to the ground, in bright red and silver colours. I've no doubts that to whichever coffee corner I go, I'll find a similar decoration. And the cafeteria has all its railings decorated with fake greens with loads of lights.
When I go home, I see loads of decorated gardens. Some are garishly decorated with huge cardboard cutout sleighs, others just have a few lights in their topiaries.
I remember that when I was a child, mom and dad distracted us from the long, two-hour drive to grandma by letting us count Christmas trees. Jona Lewie's "Stop the Cavalry" and The Young Ones' "Living Doll" are vivid memories as well from these trips.
I have no special feelings about Christmas. The tree will die on our balcony year upon year, I only start running up to Christmas after the Midwinterfair has been, and the days surrounding Christmas are always filled with obligation and long, garish Christmas dinners where we always over-eat. Having divorced parents and then some in-laws as well, there are three celebrations I am not particularly looking forward to.
Luckily this year I have the week between Christmas and the New Year off, and I haven't the foggiest about how I'll spend it. Perhaps I'll have a bright idea by then.
No, it's not my favorite holiday, but at least I'll have something to look at during my 50 minute bus drive.
The trouble I have is that I haven't a clue how to make this holiday fun. I hate to be a spoilsport, but I can't wrap my head around making Christmas fun. My parents can't be in one room together unless you like icy temperatures, we're not fond of large dinners, and NoKey hates fake trees! Any suggestions?
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no subject
Date: 2009-12-07 04:03 pm (UTC)Last year's Christmas dinner at my parents' home made me realise how messed up my family actually is. Tom was pretty freaked out last year and even more so when I said "Yeah, I usually shrug that off and ignore it."
Bring on the pretty lights, the sense of hope and light, the feeling of sharing, and leave out the obligated and forced Christmas dinners. Non-forced, non-obligated dinners are so much better.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-07 08:53 pm (UTC)(I have no idea whatsoever, sorry)
no subject
Date: 2009-12-08 09:06 am (UTC)How to make it fun? Well... don't buy a fake tree, but a real one: a small tree which you can fit inside instead of on your balcony, and with the roots still attached so it won't be dead already after a week or so.
Arrange a small Christmas dinner with healthy food, and combine one of your parents with inlaws he or she can get along with. The other day, have dinner with the other parent (and perhaps other inlaws if necessary).
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Date: 2009-12-08 09:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-08 09:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-12-19 10:11 pm (UTC)Don't
Why force yourself to like a holiday when in fact you don't like it? Heck, plan a vacation around Christmas and tell everyone you're "celebrating" abroad, or even in a cabin somewhere on the Veluwe for all I care. Christmas, and Life, is about doing what feels right to you, as long as it hurts no-one. Don't try and force yourself into other people's expectations of Jolly Christmas, stuffing your face with food and being all chummy with the relatives if that's not your thing.
On the other hand, if obligations are completely unavoidable, try and compromise. Make sure you have enough "you-time" during Christmas to make things bearable.
no subject
Date: 2009-12-19 10:12 pm (UTC)<stormcrow.web-log.nl>