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Christmas
is a time to follow the example of Jesus,
and spread goodwill and peace to all men.
Or, it's a time for stuffing your face
and drinking more than is good for you.
Or shopping till your bank account begs
for mercy.
Christmas
is what you make it--especially here in
Taiwan, where few people have set ideas
or high expectations. Like Halloween and
Valentine's Day, Christmas is catching
on fast among the under-30 crowd, but means
little or nothing to their parents.
South
Taiwan residents originally from North
America or Western Europe might feel sad
that there can be no "White Christmas" here.
But more likely they'll be enjoying weather
which--while perhaps not quite good enough
for the beach--makes barbecuing and other
outdoor activities very feasible.
Whether
it's turkey and all the trimmings you desire,
or something more local, you should be
able to find what you want without having
to travel far. Take a look at our What's
On section, on pages 11 to 14, and the
travel tips on pages 15 and 16, to see
what South Taiwan's restaurants, bars,
and hotels have planned for the fesitve
season.
If you're agonizing over the issue of gift giving, here's a hint: If
you want to make someone happy, but don't have enough cash to buy quality
gifts, give of your time instead. Teach a child how to swim or ride a
bicycle; teach a senior citizen how to send and receive e-mail.
The
style of Christmas celebrations varies
from country to country:
In
North America and Western Europe, as in
Taiwan, Christmas is celebrated on December
25. In Armenia, however, Christmas falls
on January 19, because Armenians believe
that Christ's birthday should be marked
on the same day as his baptism. What is
now January 19 used to be January 6 on
the old Julian Calendar. Armenians prepare
for Christmas with a fast. For a week they
eat no animal products, and on the day
before Christmas they eat nothing at all.
Egyptian
Christians celebrate Christmas on January
7. On that day, the rich distribute donuts
and mullet fish. Brazil is in the Southern
Hemisphere, so Christmas comes at the beginning
of summer. It's a time for boating, picnicking
and other summer activities.
Only a small minority of Japanese are Christian, but Christmas is now
observed throughout Japan. Many Western customs have been adopted by
the Japanese. Besides exchanging gifts and eating turkey on Christmas
Day, many people decorate their homes with Christmas trees.
The
lucky children of Poland receive presents
both on St. Nicholas' Day, and on Christmas
Day. In the UK, Christmas decorations appear
as early as September. On Christmas Eve,
children hang up a stocking in anticipation
of the arrival of Santa Claus, who visits
all homes to deliver presents.
In
the West, Christmas is invariably a time
of delight for children--and often of stress
for adults.
According
to a recent opinion poll, 41 percent of
American adults find the festive season
stressful. The average US household spends
US$462 (about NT$15,000) on Christmas gifts--plus
other substantial sums on food, drink,
and decorations--devotes 15 shopping hours
to choosing gifts for their relatives,
and then needs six months to pay off the
resulting credit card bills. In the UK,
one British newspaper has reported, sales
of gym memberships peak around mid-January,
when people realize how much damage has
been done by waistline-ravaging Christmas
meals and New Year parties.
To
avoid damaging your health or wealth, moderation
and self-control are important. The calendar
makes things a little easier this year:
Christmas falls on a Thursday, and as many
of us need to work on Friday, heavy drinking
will probably be restricted to Christmas
Eve. Fortunately for those who don't want
to celebrate at home, many venues have
Christmas events planned for December 24
as well as Christmas Day itself.
Surprisingly, excessive eating, drinking and excitement are not the only
health threats at this time of year.
Christmas
trees are sometimes blamed for allergy
attacks, but in the case of live trees,
problems are more likely to be caused by
mold (a result of watering), and chemicals
sprayed on the trees.
Unpacking
Christmas decorations can trigger allergic
reactions. Items stored in a damp basement
for eleven months or longer harbor molds,
dust mites, and other allergens. An artificial
tree, if stashed in a basement or cupboard,
can also collect dust and mold. When packing
up after Christmas, seal the tree in a
plastic bag to keep out moisture.
But don't let these concerns turn you into a puritan. Enjoy yourself!
And though tipping is not common in Taiwan, during the Christmas period
spare a thought--and some dollars--for the waitstaff, bar workers and
others whose hardwork makes your holiday more enjoyable. Don't, of course,
drive if you've been drinking. And, when interacting with friends or
strangers, remember that this is supposed to be the season of goodwill!
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