Ivy: While growing up in the States, my parents didn't celebrate Christmas. My friends took pity on me and invited me over to their houses--so I wouldn't miss out on the fun. Although, just like at Halloween, we'd usually end up going somewhere else to have fun on our own.
Toku: You can really start to sense Christmas is coming after Thanksgiving is over. Lights start going up, green and red is everywhere, and then the trees start going up, too. Although a lot of people use real pine trees, we never did in my house. My mom doesn't like the smell of the trees after they have been in the house for a while.
Ivy: I know! That smell can get, sort of, not so nice. But I like how, whether it's a real a fake tree, some people would just leave it standing there, and not even take it down until Valentine's Day! What's it like in Japan?
Toku: Christmas in Japan is a really special holiday for lovers; men usually show their appreciation to their wives or girlfriends before the holiday, and then have a nice dinner or do something romantic on Christmas Day. This time for lovebirds crosses over into New Year's and up to Valentine's Day. So, generally speaking, in Japan, a lot of Christmas stuff has a lot to do with couples and guys showing their love to their women.
Ivy: Really! Should I be getting ready for guys to express their love to me?
Toku: Haha, should you? If you really want a special Christmas, you need a typhoon. Then you can go to a place like DianQuan (02 8771-8272) for some hot, boiled Japanese tempura. It's one of the best things you can do on a stormy night; eat warm food with your love while listening the rain pound down.
Ivy: So romantic! I love the sound of the rain....
Toku: Or, if there's a horror film at the theater, I'd go watch the big "tough" guys jumping at the scary parts. Or maybe just stay at home with my girlfriend and watch a DVD. I'd also take her out on the streets to enjoy the Christmas-y atmosphere and light. Or go to La Giara or Cosmo and enjoy a slow, quiet Christmas dinner, then take that stroll. When we returned home, we would relax with a cup of tea or coffee, and listen to some relaxing music. If I really wanted to impress her, I'd make dessert at home and give her a present, right before going to bed.
Ivy: So, do you make the dessert right when you get home or ahead of time?
  
Toku: Yeah, it's not hard. "Christmas Chiffon Cake" is pretty popular for Christmas dessert--it's low and sugar and fat. It only takes about 20 minutes to make. I can teach you!
Ivy: Sure! Wow, that sounds really nice. My most memorable Christmas was when in college, in California. I spent it with my friends. We made our own big Christmas dinner, made the decorations ourselves, and also hand-made all the presents. The sweetest gift I got was from my ex-boyfriend. It was a baby bunny stuffed animal--he knew that I really liked it, so he went to all kinds of places to find it. What about you?
Toku: My most memorable Christmas, hmm. Ok, I was in San Francisco and my girlfriend was in Osaka. We both wanted to surprise each other by showing up for Christmas Eve. But we didn't tell each other, so she ended up alone in San Francisco and I was alone in Osaka! Although it was really terrible, it was also nice. We left each other cards and made food that would keep for a few days and left it in the fridge. So if you plan on doing something big like this, then make sure to let them know!
Ivy: In Taiwan, I've spent most of Christmas Days at work, but I hope this will change. I am moving soon, so I hope to find a new home, where I can invite my sister over and make gingerbread cookies and decorate all over. I'm really looking forward to it!
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December 2007
