Taiwan Christmas

Taiwan has no age old Christmas traditions and yearly celebrations of Christmas are more on the commercial side. Families do take the time to have special meals together and the younger crowd enjoys the party theme and go out and enjoy themselves. Christmas trees and similar decorations might light up places but there is little Christian significance. The religion in Taiwan is predominantly Buddhist.

Although the Christian population is Taiwan is about five percent, Christmas is celebrated in many ways there. Stores will sell Christmas items during the Christmas season. It is not, however, a national holiday. Regardless, most of the children know about Santa Claus and might even be able to sing a Christmas song or two. Families of children who attend English schools expect an all out Christmas festival with all the usual trimmings like singing, gift exchanges, and a visit from Santa. Some school will perform Christmas pageants about reindeer, elves, snowflakes, etc. with the characters singing on stage for proud parents. People will often wear Santa hats during Christmas. Christmas cakes which is more of a Japanese tradition, are becoming slightly popular in Taiwan.

Couldn’t resist this one!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlzWq9ZXpXo

The Asian Influence?

Initially, I planned to make cream of chicken soup for dinner. After a 90-minute telephone call with my son in Taiwan, the Asian influence came into play and we are having Asian Soupy Noodle Chicken Soup for dinner.

My son called with the good news that he finished a book he is writing four months before the contracted deadline with the publisher. He plans to use the ‘extra’ four months to polish his writing, etc. Oh, and we will never be able to read the book as he wrote in in Chinese. We are excited, however, to see the book in print whether in Chinese or English.

Are we of Asian descent? Nope! When my son was four years old, the old Godzilla movie was showing on television and my husband uttered the fateful words, “Look, you will like this movie!” and he did . . . very much. He lived and breathed Godzilla and all the Godzilla co-stars through high school. He wanted to learn Japanese in college so taught himself enough to pass the comprehension test at college and could start in the second year class. A twist of fate here. The second year class was only offered in the Spring and he was in the Fall semester. He noticed a Chinese language class was offered so took it out of interest and because he needed to fill the slot. He ended up majoring in Chinese Language and Culture and received his Masters at the National Taiwan University almost two years ago.

He likes living in Taiwan and has a good job besides his writing. I miss him a lot but am happy that he has found a niche in the world that is comfortable for him.

In the meantime, we are all looking forward to seeing the book written by the first author in the family!

“So that the tears and blood shed will not have been in vain.”