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Q: Do you make the trip home for christmas every year or stay here?
I'm debating whether to head home or go to the philippines...
The last 3 years we've done a full on traditional xmas here in China. Shoping is difficult and expensive, my cooking skills not always as good as I'd wish them to be, but I have managed to feed not just my wife, but also some of her friends and family with a completely home made xmas dinner. (not being of the American persuasion, I don't have to dick around with a big bird just to end up with some dry tasteless meat)
Spiderboenz:
I think that you have your American traditions mixed up. We eat bird on the last Thursday of November. For Christmas we (or at least myself, my family, and every other American that I know who observes Christmas) tend to eat ham.
It's not worth the hassle. If you want to go somewherr, go to the Philippines.
It all depends on yourself really. my first year in China I didn't go back home and regretted it, yeah it's a hassle and can be expensive, but to me it's worth it. This year I'm taking my fiancee with me, and we'll spend a traditional Christmas with my family, I'm super pumped.
I remember a whole bunch of seafood Christmas Eve, including Eel and Octopus...
I have only gone back once for Christmas. It was nice seeing my family and friends during this season. The magic of Christmas is absent in China and even when you celebrate it here in China it just doesn't have the same atmosphere.
for the last few years i have only had Christmas day off, so no time to travel
i reserve that for Spring Festival.
of course, I have not been told about time off this year - that would be too much like forward planning
Unfortunately since being 8 years now in China I have lost all interest in Christmas, Previously it was an exciting time, I was one for the house and gardens being lit up, but not tacky or OTT. The children have grown up and do their own thing, so for me, the hype and excitement has gone, although the meaning stay with me. So I'm in no hurry to share the festive season.
I wish I could return home every Christmas, not that i'm religious, I haven't believed in Santa Claus since I was 23, but just because every time I do return home, my family and I bathe together for a week in pure Jack Daniels, and it makes me feel safe.