A Very Warm Christmas

I can't wrap my head around the fact that it is Christmas today. The streets are still lined with golden leaves clinging to the branches of gingko trees. The sidewalks, too, are strewn with fallen leaves. It is definitely cold, but on a windless day, there is no bite in the air. I can get away with a sweater and light jacket. In other words, it still feels like autumn. 

Tokyo winters are relatively mild, but I read that even Chicago, has not received its first snow of the season. It is unprecedented and worrisome. It makes me rethink the things I can do better for the environment. Starting with wrapping paper. It helps that wrapping paper is oddly expensive in Japan. And that people love to reuse paper bags. This year, I used old paper shopping bags I've accumulated as wrapping paper and tried to make them look nicer with recycled gift ribbons (gifts are beautifully wrapped as a matter of custom, so I've accumulated a good number of ribbons too). When my kids finished unwrapping their gifts this morning, I collected the ribbons again for my collection. I'm sure everyone in my family would have preferred nicer wrapping, but hey, I was in charge of gift wrapping and the North Pole needs to conserve its resources to survive. 

It seems like a crazy thing only a carless person would say, but I miss the snow and ice. Christmas doesn't feel the same without it. That, and the fact that Christmas doesn't carry the same gravity in Japan as it does in most western countries. After all, only about 1% of the Japanese population identifies as Christian. Christmas is more like a fun holiday here while New Year is the holiday that people observe more seriously. 

The most festive Christmas activity in Japan is the viewing of Christmas lights. In Tokyo, there are a few boulevards and shopping centers that boast the most elaborate illuminations. For reasons not entirely clear to me, the illuminations are considered romantic and are especially popular as date spots. This year, we went to the Midtown shopping complex to see their lights. It did not disappoint. My daughter, who likes things that are shiny, bright, and twinkly these days, was mesmerized by the color-changing snow globe.

What do you eat for Christmas dinner? In Japan, the custom is to eat strawberry shortcake and fried chicken. Specifically, KFC fried chicken. I have no idea how this custom took root. My guess is that it stemmed from a very successful marketing campaign. We actually ate neither fried chicken nor strawberry shortcake. My mother in law made a delicious raspberry chocolate mousse cake. We also enjoyed a cozy lunch at Cafe Breizh, our neighborhood creperie that also has restaurants throughout France. 

Very tempted to buy a few bottles.

We also celebrated by attending a Nutcracker ballet. We attended a performance meant to be for children as young as babies. It turned out to be a standard two hour performance, albeit with more flourishes and a narrator. Although it was a longer performance than expected, it was a charming one, with exquisite stage designs. My kids also impressed me by watching the entire show without any problems. 

Wherever you are, happy holidays. Wishing you all a healthier, happier, and better 2022.