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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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