As most male Danes, I have a somewhat strained relationship with Christmas, It starts already in the end of October, even in September, people start talking about Christmas wishes. And then the center of the city transforms into one big lightning ball of sining elf's and Christmas lights.
On the good side, there is also all the good beer and food, which is to be eaten, but basically it seems like the pleasant and cosy family tradition has become a race of bigger and bigger Christmas presents. And building up expectations which becomes so great that they can never be fulfilled. Because the boyfriend does not have a secret uncle that can afford those Gucci g-string with diamond motive of an elf. The dad cannot afford
the Lego special edition almost life size millium falcon (wich by the way is pretty cool), and what ever else people expects that their loved ones should produce under the tree this year. So all in all I have wished for many years that Christmass didn't start so early, so I weren't sick of it, when Christmas eve arrived.
Now I'm here in Italy, where on the other hand, nobody seems to have noticed that we are in the month of Christmas, almost no shops have Christmas decoration and all commercials are not about Christmas. Nobody is having competitions of who can put up the most horrible Christmas lights in garden, on house ect.
No in fact the only sign I have seen so far that it is Christmas, is that the bikini model on the TIM (Telecom Italia mobile) have put on a Christmas hat (nissehue).
Now I miss it a bit. So be careful what you wish for, cause you might get it.
Merry Christmas.
ps: the g-string with a diamond elf motive is something I made up.
