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In Japan, the idea of Christmas is fairly misunderstood. Due to that misunderstanding, which can be attested to Christmas being just another knock-off holiday copied from America and the real truth that only around 1% of the population are Christian to begin with, the manner in which the holiday is celebrated is very different from the majority of Americans. The most prominent differing factor can be found amongst young people in Japan, though this also applies to the adult population as well.
Instead of getting together with the family to open presents, sing Christmas carols, and/or attending church (similar to Easter, when many only attend just because), the holiday season is generally reserved for being with the ones you love. This can be a platonic love, but usually is of the romantic breed. Case in point: If you are single on Christmas, chances are that you are crying yourself pitifully to sleep because you know everyone else is cuddled up with their special someone. How do I know this? I lived in the Kansai area for four months and made Japanese friends. There is also proof of this being the case in anime, such as Lucky Star when Kuroi-sensei buys herself a Christmas cake, holding back her remorse for having no one to share it with.
Why do I bring this up? I realized today that after making immediate plans with my Chessi last night to be with her [and no one else] for the calculated span of around 28 hours, which obviously is not by our choosing, we will essentially be sharing together a typical Japanese-style Christmas holiday. Her and I were seeking any possibility of sharing this holiday season together, but they were quickly dashed due to her spending it with relatives on the actual holiday. So, regardless of us sharing it early, it will be our little Christmas together away from everything and everyone just like we originally wanted.
This is a chance I won’t let slip away from us. Being able to cuddle up with my lover after exchanging gifts is most certainly something worth pursuing. Sharing a holiday memory with the woman of my dreams for the first time is beyond priceless.
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