Texting China about my Canadian winter holiday
“How about your Christmas Eve?” My friend back home in China, Sherry, asked me.
I thought about it and answered, “It’s most like our Spring Festival Eve.” I mean, the holiday atmosphere, the feast, and of course, chatting with friends around the dinner table.
“I find it interesting that red is such a popular festival colour both in China and here,” I continued to text to Sherry. “In China, we all like to post Spring Festival couplets on our doors, which have a red background. In Canada, I find that some people paint their doors red or decorate their doors with red bows.”
“Yes, people like to see red during festival season. You know, red is a stimulating and lively colour — a very friendly colour? The psychological properties of this colour make it popular in winter festivals. Because people all need warmth and excitement during a cold winter!” Sherry answered me, showing her knowledge in psychology.
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“Well, that makes sense. And I think Chinese red packets and red Christmas stockings are also examples of this interesting fact. By the way, I find it uncommon to put presents in Christmas stockings here. Christmas stockings are almost like decorations, just like Christmas trees. The function of these is to make you realize that Christmas is coming.”
“That’s another common point. It’s just like firecrackers and Chinese knots in China. There are many special symbols for each festival. Like rice dumplings for Dragon Boat Festival, mooncakes for Mid-Autumn Festival.”
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“And roasted turkey for Thanksgiving!” I was so excited to add. “Pity for missing turkey this Thanksgiving, but I am so excited that I had my first taste this Christmas!” “That sounds great!” said Sherry. “I’m so lucky to meet many good people here. And you know, preparing for a big meal, sharing a feast with friends, chatting and playing card games after a big meal, it’s almost like things we would do in China. My Christmas here is great and I think the holidays are similar for people celebrating festivals all around the world — the themes are all the same: gathering together, hugging each other, and sharing happiness.”
Image by Alora Griffiths/The Ontarion