Christmas Memories

12-15-09 Christmas Memories

As long as we were talking Christmas yesterday…

When I was very young, I found the Xmas / gift thing a bit confusing. Where were the gifts coming from? Was someone really going to try to come down our chimney? What is we had a fire going in the fireplace? Etc.

I must’ve figured it out by 1970 or so. I remember receiving the George Harrison “All Things Must Pass” triple LP set as an Xmas gift. Had I discussed it with my Dad? Or did my Mom ask my brother? Who decided that I should get that as an Xmas gift? Needless to say, it was an expensive LP boxed set, so I was pleased to receive it. I also seem to recall getting another George Harrison project as an Xmas gift, at a later date: the “Concert for Bangla Desh” 3LP boxed set. So, was Mr. Harrison the “boxed set at Xmas” former Beatle?

In the early 70’s, it was always presents under the tree – never a gift certificate in an envelope! When did I stop having Christmases with my family? 1976 or so? What did I do on Christmas then? Uh, Tower Records in Hollywood would’ve been open! Actually, Christmas at Tower Records ended up being a place we went a lot, over the years. In later years, it always meant that all Christmas CD’s would be something like 50% off!

I once had a Christmas in Tokyo. It was a cold winter day, probably a Thursday. To Tokyo, it was a regular business day. There were some Christmas decorations up around town, but it really didn’t ‘feel’ like Christmas. I seem to recall a salty bowl of ramen near the Ikebukuro train station. “And so this is Christmas…?”

I have also had a number of Christmases in New Zealand – summer barbecues, lots of outdoor (summer) eating, drinking. I seem to recall that the liquor stores were all going to close on December 24^th, and not open until January 2^nd. Big ol’ lines at Super Liquor Man!

For those who like things frosty, I have had a few Christmases in Amsterdam. No, the canals never froze over – I wish they had! I remember some nice Christmas dinners in Holland; lots of cookies etc. An ice skating rink near the Leidseplein. Indonesian food! Frites Speciaal! Good friends!

This year, I will have a Christmas in Singapore. Our plans include a late afternoon “High Tea” at Raffles Hotel. Yes, I already have our reservation. Should be festive. Not so sure I will find any Indian or Chinese Christmas CD’s in either Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. But finding Indonesian food both places shouldn’t be a problem. Probably no ice skating rinks there, however. I will advise.