It is almost Christmas and I find myself reflecting on so many wonderful Christmas' past. This will be my fourth Christmas living in Germany. I so love Christmas time here! The Christmas markets alone can get you in the spirit. I am an American girl tried and true, but I love the traditions passed on in other cultures during the holiday season. I find beauty in so many things about the holidays here. I love the special Christmas baked goods displayed in all the bakeries. The smell of fresh roasted almonds, marzipan and chocolate covered gingerbread alone makes me feel like a little girl again. The beautiful evergreen wreaths for sale to celebrate the tradition of the advent smell so fresh, I hate myself for having an artificial tree. Precious handmade ornaments, made to be cherished as keepsakes. Of course there are also warm crepes at every corner too!
In America our tradition revolves around black Friday and putting up as many decorations as humanly possible. Rushing around keeping up with our neighbors. Christmas here in Europe is so much simpler, yet so much more. Less is more? It isn't so much about reindeer on the lawn and the newest high tech gift as it is about the advent and nature making her change once again to Winter. As I spend my weekends shopping the markets that are filled with handmade gifts, I think about how many gifts now a days are purchased online, at some type of super center and manufactured in China. I can see how much of the true meaning of gift giving is lost through this process.
I also notice how each year the Christmas markets here pretty much stay the same. If everything is pretty much the same year after year, they must not be following our American model of buy, buy and buy. I know it isn't the way of a capitalist country, but I wish we as Americans could adopt some of these traditions. I am so thrilled my children are experiencing this gift. I hope to do better when I go back to my country.
I know I am just as guilty of excessive buying as much as anyone else. The girl known as "The Box Lady", because I receive so many of the online purchases that I am railing against dare not judge when it comes to excessive buying. My next post might very well be about the next big sale at Neiman Marcus, but for now I'm calling myself out. Putting myself in check, while reflecting on the gifts of Christmas and realizing it is not about what is under the tree as much as it is about who is sitting around it.
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