SA reads discussion

The silly season is upon us. Please share your Christmas and New Year traditions.

Its summer in SA at this time of year. I used to dream of a white Christmas (and bargain with God for a Christmas miracle). This time of year should be about sun and sea and reading a book on the beach.

On Old Year's Night I put a piece of coal, a slice of bread and a £1.00 coin in a plastic bag and hang it on the outside door handle. The first person in in the New Year brings it in with them. This ensures that we will have sufficient warmth, food and money in the coming year. We did this for years, even in our SA years, and always had 'enough'.

Thats something that my Scottish family do too, its a lovely tradition. Any idea of the origins Irene?

Christmas is a reverse for me. I work for what is considered essential services. We are busier this time of year, mostly coping with the consequences of Christmas Spirits.

Lisa wrote: "The silly season is upon us. Please share your Christmas and New Year traditions."

wondering why you referred to it as the silly season?

Sue, I take it you are not South African? Here, we refer to holiday periods, especially Christmas, as the 'silly season', because people do more silly things than usual, such as speeding on the roads and drinking too much. Holidays seem to bring out the stupid in a lot of South Africans, and road deaths multiply. So far, for the month of December, we have recorded approx. 600 deaths on the road. This is staggering when compared to the UK or Australia, where they do not get that number in an entire year!

Sue wrote: "Lisa wrote: "The silly season is upon us. Please share your Christmas and New Year traditions."

wondering why you referred to it as the silly season?"

In America election campaigns, the time before the election, is called the silly season.

John, you are correct in your determination that I'm not South African. I have not heard that phrasing before to refer to the holidays. And Buck, I've not heard of it used for election times either - although I agree that there's all sorts of bizarre comments and actions at that time.
What I find frustrating about the Christmas holiday is the striving for material things. More and more I see Christmas as a time to be cherished for relationships, not things. When so many have so little, why must we strive for more, more, more?
End of soapbox speech.

Well said, Sue. I share your frustration with Christmas. However I do also know that it is in my power to change it for myself,and that I don't try hard enough to swim against the tide.

Merry Christmas. Be safe.

Great Christmas tradition, Vicki. Thanks for the idea. My wife and daughters are crazy about animals - this is something I will suggest to them for next Christmas. I am so over the whole tired process of giving and receiving un-needed gifts, now that my children are all adults.

It's funny, I thought everyone calls this the silly season. I think there are many reasons that we in SA are silly this time of year.
It's the end of our school year, end of Matric and the longest school holiday all at once. Crazy, sugar-hyped kids everywhere! It's also our summer months and there is mass migration to the coastal areas: WC, KZN and EC. Most businesses shut from 16 December.
A large part of our population are migrant workers and return home at this time of year to EC, KZN, Limpopo and Mpumalanga to rightly be with family. This traveling is mostly done by road and impatient drivers make life very frustrating and dangerous.
All of this is actually good, I think people deserve to celebrate, have fun, spend time with their families.
But it feels like a powder keg. Maybe I'm jaded because I see all the worst- case scenarios.
Buck, that's funny.
Sue, I agree life has become too commercial and each individual needs to make an effort to remember what this time of year is about and make it standout for themselves and those around them. An example of this is my youngest sister, age 12, who has used her pocket money to get art supplies. She has then made Christmas presents for each of her siblings, in laws and parents. A great deal of love and effort has gone into these gifts and they feel like an expression of love and caring. Giving is a year long philosophy in my family and I think many families around us.
Vicki, that's an awesome idea!
In med school a group of us went hospital caroling which was great fun for us and patients and staff.
Merry Christmas all

Lisa wrote: "An example of this is my youngest sister, age 12, who has used her pocket money to get art supplies. She has then made Christmas presents for each of her siblings, in laws and parents. A great deal of love and effort has gone into these gifts and they feel like an expression of love and caring."

The very best kind of gift. :)

Merry Christmas everyone. Sleep tight :)

Merry Christmas to a great group of Goodreaders. I feel fortunate to be a part of you and to be able to share thoughts and feelings about great writing with you all. Have a wonderful day of sharing and caring tomorrow with those you love.

Went to a wonderful Carol Service this evening and what a joy to have the Sunday School children finish with We Wish You A Merry Christmas.
And so........
I wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy New Year.
Love to you all

Merry Christmas to you all! May your Christmas be merry and bright and spent with those you love!

Merry Christmas all.