Christmas in Bangkok

To get into the Christmas mood, as I had to realize, the weather conditions experienced since early childhood are also crucial. Initially, a lot of snow, in later years rather wet and gloomy weather. Much, much later, large amounts of mulled wine, bratwurst, and the obligatory penis waffle from the Christmas Avenue were added. So what happens if these indicators disappear? Exactly! Nothing at all. No pre-Christmas feelings.
The first time I encountered Christmas was at the end of October when I arrived back in Cairns from Airlie Beach in Australia by bus and took the shortcut through the mall to the hostel. A huge over-decorated Christmas tree. In late October! At 30 degrees! No pre-Christmas feeling at all. Sydney Airport: Christmas wreaths above every check-in counter. The second chance for Christmas, also no feeling at all.

Indonesia: Definitely not the country where you come into contact with Christmas. Other religions and a different culture that does not readily adapt to any celebration that involves a lot of light show, like the Thais. In addition, tropical temperatures and Nasi, sometimes also Nasi Goreng.
So here too, the chance that Christmas would arrive early for me vanished.
To put it briefly and clearly: I like Christmas. But the mom also needs to get in the mood through these indicators.

Thailand: It's almost December. My husband is here. The whole city is blinking at every corner, with or without Christmas decorations. Still tropical temperatures. My husband didn't bring a tetra pack of mulled wine. Instead, he brought Snoopy and his friends' chocolate lentil advent calendar. Devoured by ants on December 6th. The only thing that brought me a little bit of Christmas mood, destroyed by Mother Nature.

Cambodia: The Khmer people have nothing to do with Christmas. Still tropical temperatures. But every day, half a chocolate lentil from my husband's advent calendar.
To be honest: sometimes we even forgot about it for up to three days.

Back in Bangkok, Thailand: The Thais have upgraded. Kitschy Christmas decorations on every corner.
In the luxury hotel, however, there is a tastefully decorated Christmas tree.

Gradually, the mom started to feel some Christmas emotions.

December 24th: Relaxing by the pool, delicious Christmas Eve dinner. Of course, Thai food. Then the gift giving and a Chang beer. Yes, it's Christmas. Definitely different from previous years, but it's Christmas. I already received the greatest Christmas present on November 30th.

December 25th: A relaxed first Christmas day with my husband. Sleeping in, a cozy Christmas walk through Lumpini Park, including a round of paddle boating, Christmas coffee at Starbucks, delicious pizza and tiramisu in the evening.

And as much as I love Christmas, there is one thing I didn't miss all through December.
The pre-Christmas rush, which increases as December 24th approaches. The discussion about the stores being closed on December 24th, which was a Sunday: Ridiculous. But like every holiday, Christmas comes around every year surprisingly and unexpectedly. We live in times of self-optimization. So to all those who were outraged that the stores were closed on a Sunday: optimize your Christmas shopping so that the stores can be closed on December 24th.
Too cynical? No. Honest, which is ultimately the same thing. And I am the mom, I am allowed to say that.

In this sense: I hope you had a merry and wonderful Christmas. I definitely did!

Have Fun and Be Proud!

Your/e Jan/Mom