In my previous post I wrote about how I was grateful to be surrounded by my “second family” during the holidays. While this is true, at the same time this is also the time of the year that I feel the most homesick and often think “why do I live so far away from home?!”.

Christmas in Japan is… different. They don’t really celebrate it but it is prevalent, at least in the stores. Couples go on dates, people eat KFC for dinner, make cakes instead of baking pies, and give one store-prewrapped gift to their loved ones. It’s a thoughtful holiday here but not a thought-filled holiday. It’s easy.

But back in America, Christmas is a lot of work and up until now I don’t think I’ve really appreciated it. So much work and love put into the dinner, the presents, and even down to the wrapping. I miss that. You hear people in America complain that Christmas is just consumerism but I think it’s different. The family connection is still there although it may be fading.  In Japan, it’s definitely consumerism but I feel that some Japanese are trying to make it more about the family… it’s hard though when most people still work on Christmas. It’s not even just Christmas day that I miss. I miss the build-up to the Christmas season. The store decorations and the music playing in the background. They do that all here but the heart isn’t behind it. No one hears the music and feels warm because Christmas is near. That’s what I miss.

So while I’m still an amateur-compared to my family- I decided to put my heart into the cheap little Secret Santa gift that I will be giving a fellow housemate on Christmas. Not too bad, right?