Christmas Around the World, Japan

Christmas in Japan is a bit different from here. The major religion in Japan is Buddhism and Shinto, so Christmas is more commercial event. The main celebration revolves around Christmas eve and not Christmas day.

In Japan it is common to give Christmas presents. Within the family parents give presents to their children, but the children do not give presents to the parents. The reasoning behind this is that only Santa bring presents, so once the children no longer believe in Santa the presents are no longer given.

Most Japanese families would have a Christmas tree and now it is becoming very common to have lights on the outside of houses as you would see in Australia.

For single women in Japan it is really crucial to have someone to spend Christmas eve with. It is also really important for them where they spend Christmas eve and what present they receive. The whole evening must be very special, gorgeous and romantic. Japanese women who have a boy friend tend to show off, so women who don't are not happy to talk about the topic. There also used to be a sarcasm that Christmas is compared with a woman's age. Cake shops throughout Japan always try to sell all their Christmas cakes before Christmas eve. Any cakes left after Christmas are seen to be very old or out of date. Women over 25 years old used to be said 'unsold Xmas cake.' It's a bit bad joke, though. However, nowadays, the average age for marriage has changed, getting older and older, and it is a history.

Christmas is one a few holidays that is celebrated in Japan with as many traditions as there are of countries. Whether the symbols of Christmas are the candles, singing carols, or Santa Kurohsu, the spirit rarely changes: the spirit of peace, giving gifts and good will towards everyone. Christmas began at the beginning of the 20th century and is sure to keep on going.

Customs:
There are 2 special customs in Japan: First, the daiku, or Great nine, which refers to Beethoven's ninth symphony. This is performed in many places at Christmas time ( also New Year), sometimes with huge masses of choruses for the most famous part, with what Americans sing as a hymn- Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee.

The second custom, is the Christmas cake. Christmas in Japan just wouldn't be the same without it. It's a blessing to the Japanese bakery industries, that's for sure, because this is not a home project. Japanese are shocked when told that America knows of no Christmas cake and that it is a Japanese custom.

Food:
Japanese families eat turkey mainly on Christmas Day, but some eat it on Christmas Eve depending on their custom.

Christmas Tree
There are no live Christmas trees in Japan, only artificial trees. Not that many houses have their own tree yet, but are starting to appear more often at Christmas time. The trees are decorated with small toys, dolls, paper ornaments, gold paper fans, lanterns and wind chimes. The most popular ornament us the 'origami swan.' The Christmas tree is placed in hospitals to lift the spirit of the sick.

Decorations
Mistletoe and evergreen are hung from the ceilings. Tinsels and lights are hung in the dance halls, cafes and pinball parlours (where 'modern- minded' Japanese go to celebrate). An amulet for good luck is placed on the front door. 1000% of lights at shops have increased within approx. 7 years. Japanese children exchange thousands of 'birds of peace' in the past, of the pledge that war must not occur again.

Gifts
For a few weeks before Christmas, shops set up displays of appropriate gifts for men, women and children (especially children). On Christmas day, families sit around the tree to exchange their gifts, whether it be at their house, relatives or friends. For some families who have Christmas trees, they'd gather the presents under the tree.

Santa
Santa Kurohsu, as people call Santa in Japan is a popular character at Christmas time. Japan Santa does not yet appear in person, like in shopping centers. He is only pictured as advertising foil. Santa is pictured as a kind old man, carrying a round sack on his back. He is known to have eyes on the back of his head, so he can watch the children all year round.

Church
Most churches will have their own special Christmas worship service on the nearest Sunday before the 25th of December and perhaps on Christmas Eve.

Nativity
The story of Jesus born in a manger is fascinating to the little girls of Japan, for they love anything having to do with babies. In the scene in the nativity, many become familiar for the first time with a cradle, for Japanese babies have not slept traditionally in cradles. Others may even put on plays about the birth of Jesus.

Christ/History Christianity
Japan is pretty low with 1% believing in Christ, with a few truly understanding the significance of the birth of Jesus. The Christian faith was first introduced in Japan by Jesuit and later by Franciscan missionaries in the 16th century. There were probably about 300,000 baptised believers in Japan.

Carols
In some homes Christmas carols are sung gaily. One of the most popular song is Silent Night. Children are chosen to sing carols to the patients in hospitals. Some carols are sung in shops (some songs are sung in English).

UGA

I would like to introduce y'all to the newest member of our extended family, UGA, named after the Georgia Bulldogs mascot.

Although he has a face that only a mother could love, I must admit that he is a sweet and loving pet. He is white English Bulldog that I would consider to be a big, lazy baby even at 5 months old. He is very playful with the kids and we have already grown to love him in just the few weeks he's been apart of the family.

“Bulldogs are adorable, with faces like toads that have been sat on”~Sidonie Gabrielle

Until next time, HB

The Gingerbread House

As most of you know, I participated in The Gingerbread House Arts and Crafts Show this past weekend. First, let me thank those of you who stopped by and complemented me on my display and merchandise. You will never know how much an encouragement you are to me. Your encouragements give me much needed confidence in what I am doing.

Second, I had a great time doing this show. Although it was a success for me, I don't have any other experience with this craft show to compare it. So, I have reserved the same booth for next year. I sold alot but have a good bit of inventory left. I prepared for a bigger crowd than I think came, but still alot of shoppers. Several experienced vendors with this show said that this year was a slow showing and it appeared that there wasn't as many shoppers as last year. But most still felt it was successful. They all encouraged me to come back and be apart of it again next year, so he we go.

As a beginner in this business, I am learning so much. The what to do's, how to do it, what not to do. I am learning what sells the best, what people want more of and what attracts more viewers. And I am sure as the year and shows go by, I will continue to learn more that will better prepare me for the next show.

As with the last show, I must thank those that helped me. First without Christ NONE of this would be possible to do. He has blessed me with the ability to learn all the new software, machine, and the creativeness to do this job. He has also blessed JB and I with blessing of me being able to stay home. Without this ability, I wouldn't even have the option of doing this "home job". Second, I also could not do this without the help, sacrifice, and encouragement of my family. As with the last show, they humbly and sacrificially gave their time to help me.

JB helped with the boys on the nights and weekends that I had to devote to sewing. I am blessed with such a husband that makes it a priority to be as good of a father as a husband.

My mom also helped keep the boys a few days so that I could devote full, uninterrupted time to sewing. She also gave up her Saturday and Friday to be there at my booth with the encouragement that only mothers can give and I love her more for it.

My dear daddy also helped in his own special way. He came over a few days to help with the boys so that I again could have uninterrupted time to sew. He also loaded up that huge shelf and transported it to the show and back home. He devoted his whole Friday to help me set up my display along with staying to man the booth til my mother could get there. He is such a special daddy to have.

My sister, my friend. She, too, helped watch the boys a few days so that I could sew. She also gave some of her time to help set up my display. I was in such a frazzled state on Friday trying to set up and arrange my display. Tiffany came to the rescue. She has the gift of being able to "take over" and get it done. She, like my mother, can imagine in her mind and make it happen which is a gift that I do not have. She also gave most of her Saturday to help man the booth even when she had to work that evening.

My mother in law, Paula, gave up her Friday and Saturday to come over and keep the boys for me. It's nice to leave them with someone and not have to worry. There's definitely no bribing or begging to get her to come over. She's in the car and ready to come on the words "will you?".

Again, without each of these family members, I could not have done this. They each are so special and I am truly blessed to have them.

Until next time, HB

MeMe and Pappaw's Pride & Joy!

Last Friday, we took a visit to my sister's to me their new dog, UGA (blog regarding UGA to come later). The boys wanted some strawberry milk, so while Tiffany and I were fixing all the kids drinks we had the little ones on the countertop. Alex came in and decided to join...."kodak moment". So, here's to Meme and Pappaw...your pride and joy! They love you!

PS...Dad, make sure Mom sees this blog, please. You know she says she's from the "lipstick generations, not the internet generation".

Until next time, HB

The Power of Makeup

It's amazing what make-up can do for women. If you don't believe me, just look at the following pictures.

I got this through an email...thanks, Denise. Thought some might enjoy it, I'm sure there are others who won't find it quite as funny, oh well.

O' Christmas Tree, O' Christmas Tree

Don't you just love our tree? JB and the boys worked hard cutting it down, loading it, and getting it home. It's the tree of all tree's.

Seriously, this past Saturday, we dragged our artificial tree down from the the attic. We had forgotten last year just how small it looked in our vaulted ceiling den. We even had to put it on a table to elevate it to give it a little more height.

After looking at our "twig" of a tree, JB announced that we would venture out to look for a live tree. We went to a local tree farm, actually the same farm as the pumpkin patch in hopes of finding that perfect tree for our family. Our mission was accomplished with JB and the boys sawing down the tree we picked out. It is a Leland Cypress that stands about 6 to 7 feet tall.

So far, all we have put on it is lights, but that is what's the most impressive to the boys. They get up wanting to turn the "ights" on and don't dare turn them off before they go to bed.

I'll have to post the fully decorated tree later. But for now, at least we have a tree.

“Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.”~Larry Wilde

CB and JB ahead of BB and me trekking out to the trees.

Little Paul Bunyan's with their equipment on a mission to cut down the ultimate Christmas tree.

Little Paul Bunyan's in training.

Until next time, how lovely are your branches...HB

The City of Lights

This past Thursday night, JB and I took the boys to see the Christmas lights attraction in a nearby town. It was very pretty and festive. There are 1000's of lights that light up the town square and its area stores. The boys enjoyed running around seeing the "ights". Christmas is gonna be fun this year as the boys have finally reached the age to notice the decorations, Christmas trees and the uniqueness that comes with this season. We have already enjoyed looking at the "ights" in our neighborhood and can't wait to explore again when more "ights" are blinking closer to Christmas.

A few more pictures follow, hope you enjoy.

“That quest for something pretty. Flowers and Christmas lights, it's what we're programmed to love.” ~ Chuck Palahniuk