CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS: NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE IN THE CELEBRATIONS IN MY AFRICA & EUROPE
As we are already in the Holiday mood, l just realised that this would be my second Christmas away from home. I have already seen a major difference between Christmas in Zimbabwe and in Europe. As much as almost everyone looks forward to holidays l feel like Christmas standards in developed countries is far way better, maybe it’s what l can call “fancy holidays. “Back home we really do not consider things like Christmas gifts, matching outfits for the family and l can say this because l was only used to seeing these things on television or other families doing them. Most households would rather save that money and prepare for the incoming year to be safe and avoid what we call January disease than to spend it on gifts.
From my experience, Christmas at home was about spending time with family, making good traditional food, wearing nice clothes and go to church for the Christmas word. After the service we would go home and eat then the day would be over just like that. Other Christmas holidays l would spend them at my Uncle’s home, which was so better because they live in a big city, we could make food for a lot of people would come and we have a really huge party. On the other side, after l moved here last year l decided to spend Christmas in London with my family and l noticed how people take Christmas gifts so serious. This was my first time getting so many gifts for Christmas. This was so new to me to see how gifts were pilled on the tree, that’s when l realised how people take their time to do matching outfits and gifts as a tradition. So l started asking myself questions like why don’t we really pay attention to such things back home and my only answer was maybe it could be our economy instability and people would think these traditions are luxury.
On the other hand because l had the opportunity to travel and move to Europe l noticed that In western nations people actually take their time to look for gifts and l think some people back home would actually consider the gift tradition but because of the economy that is not stable people would rather save for the new year. Moreover, The way we party back home as a family is unbeatable and that’s why l think people who live in the diaspora would rather save and go spend Christmas back in Africa with their families because there is nothing like festive season at home.
On the other hand, l can admit l really admire how people wear matching holiday outfits, professional decorations, how they do present hunt on Christmas eve and also the sharing of gifts on Christmas too wow! Isn’t this great? I think this is amazing although it’s going to take a while for me to get used to this new fancy change. However at the end of the day, l think the main focus should be on Jesus Christ’s birthday and celebrating it with our loved ones, enjoy every moment with or without gifts. To be genuinely happy as we bond with other family members.
Ndizvozvandinofungawo, this is what l think. May your holidays be Merry and bright.
