First: the basics. I do not live in a Christian country. December 25th is not a holiday here. However, I was lucky enough when I lived in Indonesia to work for a lazy boss. We had at least a week holiday for Christmas, Chinese New Year, Ramadan (of course) and many, many, many other random days off as well. In Taiwan, the culture of holidays and the general work ethic are a little different. If it wasn`t a legislated holiday, my boss would be open on Chinese New Year for sure!

Some people get very depressed around this time of year. I have been depressed at Christmas, but after a few years over here I can now take a step back from the initial pang of heartache and analyze the season without bursting into tears at the thought of snow.

For the record, I`m listening to my iTunes Christmas playlist while writing this which includes "So this is Christmas" by Lennon, "the 12 Days of Christmas" by Bob and Doug McKenzie and my all time favourite, "The Carrol of the Bells" Anything in A minor makes me a little numb.

I thought about why Christmas is so important to us. For starters, in Canada, there is a good balance I think of religion and frivolity. However religion manifests itself in your family, it is the time (maybe the only time of year) where traditions are still respected and cherished. Many people think that Christmas has become overly commercialized, but I argue that spending money on material goods is how many of us unwind and choose to spend our downtime anyway, it is simply a little more intense this time of year. Despite the commercialism, the values are still first and foremost. We care about our friends, co-workers and family and we want to show them that we are thinking of them. The perfect day for me is a little shopping, lunch with mom and an afternoon at the park with my nieces and nephews. Christmas is the perfect symbiosis of family and fun.

This holiday is sanctioned by religion but is celebrated by individuals. We all interpret Christmas differently. I love talking to people about their Christmas traditions. My French family go to Midnight Mass on the 24th and have a feast and gift exchange in the wee hours of the morning. Christmas day is very relaxed and a time to be quiet and reflect. In the West where I grew up, it`s all about the morning. Waking up to my Grandma Barrett`s amazing Christmas cake for breakfast and spending the whole day surrounding by wrapping paper shrapnel, empty eggnog glasses and full tummies.

Although Christmas doesn`t mean the same thing to all people, I think we all share a Jungian Christmas collective. Family, of course, food, gifts are widely accepted to be a part of the Christmas experience, however, it is also a time of renewal. We celebrate the end of the year with new clothes, new books and an amazing feast of tofurkey (or whatever). This is a time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the coming new one. It is foremost a time to remember new life beginning. Whenever, however you celebrate Christmas, it is about the many joys of life, looking towards the new year and being thankful for all we have.

Finally, Christmas is so special to us because for a few days every year everything is put on the back burner to focus on our traditions. Businesses close down, everyone is criss-crossing the country to be with relatives and all thoughts are on Christmases past and present. We remember our childhoods, how there seemed to always be lots of fresh snow and everything was perfect. We strive to recreate those perfect moments for our friends, family and ourselves.

It is very difficult in Asia to recreate any of our past Christmases. There is no snow, no lights up around the city. The weather is warm and everyone works straight through the week. Our roommates have different traditions. There are no fireplaces to hang stockings on, Salvation Army Santa Clauses or even tofurkey. There is no "Grinch that Stole Christmas" on TV. We try to make the most of what we have. We take the day off if we can. We phone our families back home. We send and receive Christmas cards and presents in the mail. It is difficult though.

For all of you getting ready to celebrate Christmas, don`t take it for granted. Remember the reason for the season. Family. Friendship. Looking ahead. Reflection. The joys of life. Spend this holiday thinking about what it all means to you. When I`m back in Canada, you are all welcome to my house for the whole week. I`ve got some catching up to do.

Merry Christmas