My fondest memories of childhood have always been during Christmas time and the weeks leading to it.

I didn’t grow up in a Christian family and I probably didn’t care much about the real meaning of Christmas back then. However, since a young age, Christmas has always been a festive season for us in the Gozali household. Here are just some of the things we usually do (or at least we used to) leading up to Christmas:

  • Put up the Christmas tree with pretty ornaments (re-used year after year but we do get creative!)
  • Decorate the house (yes, the entire house) – sometimes even the exterior of the house!
  • Light up everything that we can light up – we love our fairylights.
  • Sing Christmas songs. Oh, yes, home-style karaoke of course. Remember LCD (Laser Discs)?
  • Gifts underneath the tree! Sadly, this tradition died off after we got to a certain age! Boohoo.
  • Create our own nativity scene. Yes, you heard me right! A full nativity scene, with little figurines of the three wise men, baby Jesus and his parents, some lambs and Gabriel the angel. But the cool bit is, we actually make our own manger using a box, scrunched newspaper to cover the box, bronze colour spray and sometimes even fake snow!

So yes, all that. For every Christmas that we spend in Indonesia. Now, it’s no wonder I’m totes adamant about having my own Christmas tree here in Melbourne! I guess a part of me want to recreate the festivity and the tradition that I’ve loved so much. I mean, I’ve lived in Melbourne for half of my life now and yet I still don’t have a proper Christmas tree?! Madness!

I know that when I get my first Christmas tree here in Melbourne, I will feel like this:

via Julie on Pinterest

 

I am glad that now I know the real meaning of Christmas. But I think it is also a great thing to be able to recreate the Christmas memories from my childhood. It is about spending time together with my family and sharing gifts with each other. Just like God gave Jesus to us on Christmas day (yes, it doesn’t have to be exactly 25 December, whatever, but you know the symbolism.)

This year, I am hoping to fulfill that dream of mine of having a proper full-sized Christmas tree. And this is also the first year of me celebrating Christmas with my dearest hubby. I hope that we will create more memories that we can look back at one day and smile.

What are some of the Christmas traditions and customs that you used to or still do with your family or community? Would love to know what everyone does during Christmas time… And if you have great ideas for Jax and I to celebrate our first Christmas together, comment below also!