O Tannenbaum and Christmas Lobster

I’ve often been asked about Christmas in South Africa. The ambiance is strikingly similar to that in Seattle, or other parts of the United States. We share many of the same decoration, Christmas songs and icons.

Christmas trees are as popular here as they are there, although it often requires some typical South African creativity and ingenuity. I’ve seen Christmas trees of feathers, metal and beads and a variety of other forms. I picked up a lovely Christmas tree that makes me giggle each time I see it. It isn’t the typical Douglass or Noble fir to which I have grown accustom, but it is lovely none the less!

As I drive through town I smile at the lighted Christmas decorations surrounding the city. Images of Santa Clause, bells and snowmen make me giggle a little to myself about the similarities of Christmas icons around the world. Particularly the snowmen and snowflakes make me laugh, and it reminds me what a small world it is. It also reminds me how much of Western culture -much, if not all, of it originating from the northern hemisphere- has infiltrated other parts of the world.

As I drive through town, I admire the other decorations. There are Christmas candles, gingerbread men, reindeer and…. Lobster, whales and kites? I guess Christmas icons can take many forms.