Chez Scrooge
We don`t "do" Christmas in our house.
I mean, we put up a tree and decorations, we go to church, and I usually cook a nice meal --- but we told the kids they could only have one present each, and it can`t be a big one.
This started when we lived in Tokyo, where Christmas is not a national holiday. Sure, it`s catching on as a commercial holiday, but just like Halloween and Valentine`s Day, there`s no day off to commemorate the merchandising. We went to work and the kids went to school.
"Didn`t you keep them home from school on Christmas DAY???" my friends and relatives in America would ask, aghast.
Why? To sit around singing Christmas carols by ourselves? No, we sent them to school --- bah, humbug.
So one present each? It seemed pretty damn generous when they were the only ones in the neighborhood who got presents.
Of course, now that we`re on our second Christmas season in America, they`re onto the whole commercial scene -- but we`re not budging. Hub and I fight a lot (!!!), but on this front, we`re united.
"We don`t care what other people get -- you`re getting ONE present, so think about it carefully," we say.
But Little Son thinks he`s found a way around the two meanies he has for parents.
"SANTA will bring me more presents!" he insists.
And you know.........he just might be right.
I mean, we put up a tree and decorations, we go to church, and I usually cook a nice meal --- but we told the kids they could only have one present each, and it can`t be a big one.
This started when we lived in Tokyo, where Christmas is not a national holiday. Sure, it`s catching on as a commercial holiday, but just like Halloween and Valentine`s Day, there`s no day off to commemorate the merchandising. We went to work and the kids went to school.
"Didn`t you keep them home from school on Christmas DAY???" my friends and relatives in America would ask, aghast.
Why? To sit around singing Christmas carols by ourselves? No, we sent them to school --- bah, humbug.
So one present each? It seemed pretty damn generous when they were the only ones in the neighborhood who got presents.
Of course, now that we`re on our second Christmas season in America, they`re onto the whole commercial scene -- but we`re not budging. Hub and I fight a lot (!!!), but on this front, we`re united.
"We don`t care what other people get -- you`re getting ONE present, so think about it carefully," we say.
But Little Son thinks he`s found a way around the two meanies he has for parents.
"SANTA will bring me more presents!" he insists.
And you know.........he just might be right.
posted by L. at 7:37 PM
9 Comments:
I think he may have outsmarted you on that one, L.
Here's the thing. If Santa brings him a present, you might want to be sure that Santa brings his bro & sis a present too. Otherwise, he may realize that Santa isn't "real".
Plus, it will prevent any resentment on the older kids' part.
Oh get hub something from Santa while your at it. And a little something something for yourself. Why the hell not? ;)
Sounds like a great system to me. (As a young woman in her late teens and early twenties, I went through some "Santa withdrawal" when I realized my wish list of a dog, and a computer, and a pony, and a new car just couldn't/wouldn't be realized.) Not only will these traditions serve them well when they get back to Japan, but it sounds much healthier than the wretched excess consumerism that a lot of American families (including mine) endure.
In fact, I am currently using work time to complete Christmas chores... hmm...
I say good for you. But secretly I wish Little son gets all his Santa wishes! haha
That is a great idea to stick with..but Santa COULD give them a wee present each!!
Does the family get them gifts as well, or is it truly one gift each?
Personally, I like to get my husband three things, and Maya three things, but I don't know where that started. :) But we have a lot of family, so yeah, tons of gifts end up around here.
It is one gift from me and Hub -- my parents also give them gifts, and my brother and his wife -- and their Japanese relatives all give them cash for New Year`s, as is the tradition.
So my kids are not exactly deprieved, and have no reason to pretend to be Tiny Tim`s.
I'm in the bahhumbug mood myself. I WISH we could do that around here.
I heard a tale once about Christmas and Kentucky Fried Chicken in Japan.. is it true? Do lots of Japanese get KFC dinners to celebrate our weird holiday?
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