Christmas just doesn't feel the same...

As much as Japan seems to celebrate Christmas, it just does not feel the same. Recently many houses have started to put up decorative lights, some of which look great and others which really lack taste! They are nice to see but something...is just missing in the air.

I also find it humorous to see a pagan country go all out and commercial for Christmas, a religious, family-oriented and spiritual holiday for others. Here it is about young couples hitting up KFC,(or dining out, indulging in an extravagant Christmas dinner course) buying a strawberry shortcake (Xmas cake...see pic in post below) and visiting a love hotel. It is so far from the real essence of Christmas.

The cool thing is Tsukuba has what is called the 100-Christmas tree display. 100 trees decorated by individuals, families, and organizations across Tsukuba are shown for about one month. They trees are taken out of the ground, used for Xmas and replanted...explained the helpful woman at the info desk. It definitely explains why the trees look like they have had better days! Hee hee.

Perhaps the lack of authentic Christmas magic is due to the lack of Christmas vacation? People work until the 28th and have a week off for New Year's. Here New Year's is the major holiday spent with the family. Hmm, maybe.

I wonder how I will spend future Christmases with my family. The Western or Japanese way...or both. One thing is for sure, it is a fusion that will certainly be interesting!