Nov 4, 2020
Making the festive season feel more festive
I know a few of my friends here usually have plans to head home for Christmas, but everyone I've spoken to is staying put this year because of COVID. I'm curious to know if you're in that boat, how you're managing to make the holiday season this year feel more festive. Looking forward to hearing your suggestions!
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on Nov 5
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on Nov 5
I've been going home for Christmas for the last few years now and even though I'll be sad not to be able to do likewise this year, I am kinda looking forward to a Christmas in Japan for a change. I've felt a little guilty in the past about leaving an American colleague (the only other foreigner in my team at work) to deal with Xmas at work so I'm hoping that maybe we can at least go to a pub in the city for a Christmas dinner. Although I think that many of the winter illuminations will be cancelled this year I'm still looking forward to a stroll around the city on Christmas eve evening with my wife and I guess many of the stores will have Christmas window decorations that can sometimes help to create a festive mood. A friend of mine in Japan has a young family so I think we are going to get together at his house for some food and drinks. He tells me he has a tree that is nearly as tall as me so that will make for a nice change over my cheap Don Quijote tree which is barely a meter tall. Other than that, I always find Christmas in Japan is a great excuse to stay in the pjs and binge on Christmas flicks and whatever treats I can find in Kaldi. And similar to @ReishiTravels, I always enjoy finding a good Christmas playlist on YouTube to accompany the household chores and putting up of decorations.
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on Nov 5
We are questioning whether we will be travelling to see family as well (very unlikely), so our idea right now is to invite a couple of close friends who typcially would spend the winter break going home for their families too over, and we will just have a fun friendly stayover with mostly indoor activities (and drinks)!
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on Nov 6
I usually get away to somewhere warm in December and save family visits for summer. This year, I’ll stay home and indulge in nostalgic things. Our family, like many Canadian families, listens to CBC’s Christmas broadcast of Frederick Forsyth’s story The Shepherd. I got a Japanese translation of it for my guy so he can follow the story. We’ll probably watch The Hogfather in our pjs. I’m making a bingo sheet for it.
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on Nov 6
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on Nov 6
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on Nov 7
@Kanuba I think most people would enjoy it! In Japan, people do gift exchanges only with their partner, but for those who are single in the share house, I think they would like being able to take part in gift exchanges too, especially when they consider Christmas to be a western festival anyway.
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on Nov 9
I also don't go home for Christmas this yeas. Germany just got a new lockdown and even though I technically could go and my family wants me to come it wouldn't feel right. I have a few Christmas decorations that I plan to put up soon. Some I brought with me from Germany but most are from the 100 Yen store.
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on Nov 18
Compared to the previous years, we are decorating our house grander this year, both inside and outside. Also, since we cannot fly home nor invite people over on Christmas Day, we would instead have a zoom party with our families and friends. After all, Christmas is all about being together even if it is only virtual for now. Have a meaningful Christmas to all!
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on Nov 25
We are here for Christmas this year too. And although Santa Claus is doing some meet and greets, we'll refrain on account of the Coronavirus. That is usually a highlight for the kids in December :( We also cancelled our annual trip to Santa Hills to stay in Santa's house, because its Tochigi and we aren't going out of our prefecture for the moment. Thankfully one of our favourite Christmas illumination displays is (at the moment) scheduled to go ahead, so we'll go to that Christmas night. Other than that - I still have the thinking cap on!
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on Nov 30
@MommyRam I hear you. Decorate like crazy and Zoom with family and family of friends. It's going to be different, but fun.
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on Dec 11
We are usually at home (and work) on Christmas, so we will maybe watch something or eat something special on the weekend. But, for the new year, I wish we could visit my mother-in-law who is living alone. She isn't online, but we will probably talk on the phone as usual. We have talked about sending her something but haven't decided on anything other than more photos of us, which she appreciates. Not festive at all...
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on Dec 19
13 Answers