Sicky Sicky

So an English Christmas has caused me to be sicky sicky. :(

Christmas is Christmas, and is generally the same in all countries, except for what you have for dinner and the times you open presents. English Christmas dinner usually has turkey, while we Americans prefer our Christmas ham (I had a craving for some Honey Baked Ham). My family usually opens Christmas presents after midnight mass; Dan's family usually opens presents after dinner on Christmas Eve, which is a German thing. Blah blah blah, all very boring.

Christmas Day was very strange for me because I'm used to sleeping in and staying in my pajamas all day. Dan and his family all go to this local pub around the corner from their house. The entire town walks to this pub on Christmas Day to have many beers and chat away--a reunion of sorts. I suspect this is when the germs infultrated my body since I walked outside in the cold with wet hair to the pub. But it was interesting to see all these people drinking at noon (the pub was packed cause the entire town was there).

One tradition we don't have, which I think we should, is Boxing Day. It's a bank holiday, so everyone has the day off. Its orgins are related to giving servants gifts, but there was a huge party last night at Dan's house. A bunch of family friends convened at the Jarvis's abode. There was a fair amount of food, lots of booze, Rock Band, gift exchange, and a quiz game. It was quite the party and a fair number of people showed up. I will say that I am impressed that many of Dan's parents' friends tried Rock Band and really enjoyed it. Dan's mother is in love with the game and cannot wait until he returns to America because we are leaving the Xbox and Rock Band behind.

Boxing Day is definitely a nice tradition, especially what Dan's family has going on (they usually rotate the location in their group of friends in terms of host). I think there should be an American push for Boxing Day. But I guess if it doesn't help the commercial industry, there's no real reason right? Bush gave us Christmas Eve off, but don't you think that's really so you can go shopping to buy last minute presents? To me Boxing Day seems more family and friends oriented--that doesn't drive business. I do enjoy the Boxing Day though.