Weekly Reflections #22: Christmas Traditions Around the World
Christmas to me and my family is an exciting holiday filled with jollof rice and fried chicken, off days from work and, rockets in the sky. This is the holiday my father travels back home and spends more time with us. This is also the month of visitation, we share rice with people and they share theirs. Almost everyone is at home this season, and excited to celebrate. Even before we entered December, celebratory knockouts can be heard from outside.
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However, on a more serious note, my family regards December as a month of thanksgiving and preparation for the coming year. There are lifelong debates about the origin of Christmas and, whether Christians should celebrate it. My family, for years now, celebrate thanksgiving instead. So we do not have the obligatory Christmas tree, the Christmas hats and socks and we do not go around greeting people with ”Merry Christmas”. We say “Happy Thanksgiving” or if it doesn’t look appropriate, we say “Compliments of the Season.” Nevertheless, there is food and drinks and well-wishers and us well-wishing. Friends come back from University and I become a little less introverted. My mom buys new clothes and since she believes I am way too old for “Christmas clothes”, I get mine myself.
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The food is the one thing I know everyone looks forward to. It is always in abundance. My mom bought three roosters since the month of October for this very purpose. We share food within the warm circle of our neighborhood and they do the same. Jollof rice, fried rice, salad, chicken or turkey, with a drink on the side – this is the customary food. Some people may go ahead though, and make white rice and stew, it is not heavily restricted. But the former is much more respected.
My favorite memories from the past Christmas holiday started when I and two of my friends went to an arcade center. We played lots of games, ate a burned cake, and finally, like little children, hopped on the merry-go-round. It was late at night and we had lots of fun. That particular night marked December for me.
Thanks for the invite 🙂 ✨
Wow, yours is Jollof Rice. That's really nice!
It's either fried rice or rice and stew or one traditional food we haven't eaten in years every Christmas eve. And the preparation is quite stressful! 😬
I really love Christmas a lot. Why don't you celebrate Christmas? Does it feel like paganism or is there some other reason?
Hey, you're welcome. If you don't mind, what traditional food is that?
Research shows its origin is in paganism. We celebrate Thanksgiving instead.
Ooo, it's great to know the customs, and tradition within your family in this season. It's rather new for me, about celebrating thanksgiving over Christmas. Anyway, the ideas is the same to be with, and celebrate it with family, happily!
The post would have been way better if you could add some of your images from your past experiences, decorations, and special moments.
Thank you for the entry! Wishing you a wonderful Christmas filled with love and joy! 🎄✨