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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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