A Very Different Christmas

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For me, Christmas is a special celebration. Beyond its spiritual significance, it’s a time to reconnect with loved ones and share good memories that will be remembered for years to come. Growing up, Christmas in my household was a big celebration. A period you wouldn't want to miss for anything. Our house was always full; distant relatives would visit with their kids. I was always looking forward to my big cousin’s arrival. Like me, she was an anime fan. Her arrival meant more anime time for us. Our distant relatives always came with one or two items to spice up the celebration, whether it was wine, fruit, or any other thing that made the celebration special.

On Christmas Eve night, we’d all go to church. Since the house wasn’t too far from church, we’d all trek there, holding hands and laughing as we walked. Mothers would hold their kids close to their bosoms to prevent them from wandering off. The dads would bring up the rear, keeping a watchful eye on their families from behind. I was always with my big cousin; there was never a dull moment with her. After church service, we'd come back home to prepare for the big day. The dads would stay outside, discussing politics; the younger kids would retire to bed as soon as we got back. Meanwhile the older ones, like me and my cousin, would stay awake, watching movies. The moms would be in the kitchen, making preparations for the next day. We were always ready to run errands for them as every errand meant a reward- usually, meat, chicken, or fried fish.

The big day always starts with going to church, the most important part of the holiday. People make sure they wear their best outfits. Mothers buy the best dresses and shoes for their kids. Sometimes, I felt it was a competition to see “whose child has the most beautiful dress.” After church, it’s eat till you cannot eat anymore. You eat whatever you want till your teeth start to complain and beg you to have mercy on them. Back then, Christmas was so much fun. The fact that the economy was better made the celebration more enjoyable; as distant relatives would visit without worrying about the cost of transportation.

Christmas hasn’t been the same for about five years now. This doesn’t mean that it has lost its significance, but it just stopped being fun like it used to be. Distant relatives stopped visiting due to the economy. So, for the past 5 years, I celebrated Christmas with just my nuclear family. We still had fun and ate a lot, but it was nothing compared to the way it was when I was younger.

We have officially entered the festive week and many people are already making celebrations for Christmas. Interestingly (or not), for the first time in my life, I won’t be celebrating Christmas with my family. As much as it saddens me, I believe that this is the best decision to make. I spent days pondering on whether I should travel back home to spend Christmas in my family house, but I concluded that not going is the best decision. You might wonder why I decided not to go home to spend Christmas with my family. Well, things are not the way they used to be. My siblings are in different states and my mother is with one of them. My dad is the only one at home and going home means I’d be the one doing the cooking. Trust me when I say my dad is very difficult to please. My mom is the only person who knows his tastes. Another VALID reason why I decided not to go home is school. Right after this holiday season, exams start. I’m afraid that if I go home, I might get caught up in one or two things and not study. School is my number one priority, it is just right that I make sacrifices.

This year’s Christmas is very SPECIAL in a weird way. The truth is that I don’t have plans. A few of my friends are still in school. Like time, they aren’t traveling home for Christmas. Maybe we’ll organize a small party amongst ourselves that day. It’s a festive period to spend with family and friends. Although I will not be with my family on Christmas Day, on the brighter side, I won’t be totally alone. Let’s see how things go.

Thanks for reading.