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| At a house near me |
I always have mixed feelings about this, in the same way that I do about New Year fireworks. At least no animals are as traumatised by this, so while it might be a bit kitschy, it does bring good cheer. It also brings people together -kids love it - and raises money for charity. You also have to admire the love and labour which have gone into it. I guess what I don't want, is that it becomes a new competitive sport - i.e. yours has to be bigger and better than your neighbour's each year.
In Brisbane it's become a regular tourist attraction and the Government or Council supplies a bit of green energy for it.
Meanwhile, I have bought my first Christmas present this week. It's a book for one of my granddaughters. I am so pleased that some of the youngest members of my family have taken up reading in a big way, despite the allure of electronic media.
At the risk of being accused of cultural appropriation, there's an Icelandic Christmas tradition I'd like to introduce. Jolabokaflod (meaning the Bookflood) is about giving books on Christmas Eve and then spending the night reading them. In September, a big free book catalogue is distributed to all households and more books are sold in Iceland between September and Christmas Eve than at any other time of year. This may help to account for Iceland's high level of literacy as well as the success of its publishers and writers.
However you celebrate this time of year, I wish you a happy and safe holiday season. I hope you will be able to forget the troubles of the world for a while and have a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. It's the company that counts - not the presents, not the food or even the way you decorate your house. If this ridiculously hot weather keeps up, we'll be having Hobo Dinners at the beach.
No family? No friends? No problem. You could always do as my sister has done for years (She lives in another state and hates the drama of flying at Christmas). Pop down to your local shelter or old people's home and help to serve meals or in the case of the latter, read them a book.
Love to you all and thanks for reading
- Veronika
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