christmas here?

the interesting thing about our country is that they celebrate christmas, they just don't know it!! at the beginning of the month we went to ikea to buy our christmas tree. it is located in the most western looking shopping area that we have been to yet- complete with a gap, apple computer store, and popeye's fried chicken in the food court. it is an outdoor style mall. it was completely decorated for christmas complete with christmas music playing in english. some of the music mentioning the reason for the season! we were shocked! of course hardly anyone understands the words to the music or really seemed to notice it. but we felt like we were in america. they were installing a temporary outdoor ice skating rink and everything. all the decorations, the celebrating, and the gift giving (not nearly as much as in america) look exactly like american christmas minus anything spiritual- which is what american christmas has become. but, they celebrate it as new years- complete with a visit from santa on new year's eve. so interesting! this is a newer way to celebrate our friends tell us. it is catching on quickly. a few of our friends have new years trees in their homes, and our kids even received a little new years gift from our neighbors!





callie on the carosel


noah on the carousel