Countdown to Crimbo

The brightly lit Christmas tree was in front of the Osaka City Hall. It was one of the few trees I saw decorated in the city and was completely gone by December 26. The table full of gifts was my kitchen table on Christmas morning. I bought the tree at the Hundred Yen Store (aka Pound Store, Dollar Store, etc.) It cost something like Y300 which is like $4. I also bought lights and strung them up around the apartment and constantly listened to Christmas carols. Japan doesn't even remotely feel festive this time of year, but I did the best I could to make things jolly! The Japanese give gifts a lot. On one particular Saturday night, the doorbell rang and I was greeted with a couple who spoke zero English but had just moved into the apartment a couple of doors down. They had a gift for me, really expensive Lacoste facecloths. Apparently this is what you do when you move to a new neighbourhood in Japan, you go door to door handing out gifts to your neighbours and introduce yourself. I was stumped as to what to do and briefly considered giving them a couple of Canada flag pins. No luck though. We just bowed to each other and I said thanks. It was this experience that had me convinced my students would give me gifts on Christmas Day when I had to teach. Not happenin'. I didn't receive a single one. I was even so sad as to remind them that it was Christmas, hoping that would jog their memory and that they'd pull out a wrapped goodie for me. Nope. I guess I hadn't promoted it enough it class.