Christmas is a tradition that has always meant a lot to me because of how it brings my family together. It is not just a holiday but a season of family reunion. It is that one season when I get to see my family members I do not get to meet during the year. During this season, everyone makes an effort to return home, no matter where they live and the distance and this makes Christmas stand out from every other period. Usually the meeting point is always at my grandfather’s house. That house becomes full during Christmas because all my uncles and aunts come back with their families.
My grandparents have twelve children, and each of them is married with their children. Since they all live in different places, Christmas is the only time I get to see everyone at once and spend time with them. It feels like a reunion that happens once every year, and I always look forward to it.
The food during Christmas is one special part that makes the season unique. On a normal day, we eat regular meals, but during Christmas, the food takes on a different taste. The preparation is always special because extra effort is put into it. Even if someone does not eat chicken on ordinary days, they will eat it on Christmas day to their satisfaction. In my family, there is usually chicken, beef and sometimes turkey. Even the kind of ingredients that are not normally used throughout the year are bought and used for that day. There is always varieties of food and everyone has the chance to pick what they like.
The preparation for Christmas does not start in December or November. In my family, the preparation mostly begin from October. Some even start saving for Christmas as far back as February.
New clothes are bought, foodstuffs are stored, and other arrangements are made.
It is during Christmas season that I get to spend time with friends. During the year, we don't always have the chance to meet, but when everyone comes home for Christmas, we use the opportunity to hang out. Sometimes we go out to different places in town where activities are done, while other times we join in the events organized in the community. Like in my area, the season is marked with cultural activities. People dress in their traditional clothes and come out to sing and dance, and there is always something happening in the streets.
The days leading to Christmas are always busy. There is always cleaning of the house, buying of news things like clothes, shoes and also food items that are stored ahead of the celebration. The routine is almost the same every year. Visitors also come around and food is shared around.
The part that makes Christmas even more meaningful to me is its religious side. It is not just about family, food, or social activities. It is about the birth of Jesus Christ. For me, that is the foundation of the celebration. I see Christmas day as a time to reflect on the birth of Jesus and what it means for my faith. The salvation Christ brought for me.
So friends, Christmas is that tradition that means a lot to me.
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