Life in Africa Ruined My Christmas...or Did It?
It's Christmas time, and I think more this year than ever, the topic of favorite Christmas traditions and favorite Christmas gifts keeps coming up. I attend a mom's group and last week both of these questions were our instructed topic of conversation for the entire two hour session. I'm never sure how to answer either of those questions, so I wasn't particularly thrilled and sat quietly. In the past, my answer has always started with, "Well, before we moved to Africa..." I guess I subconsciously equate our move to Africa with the end of Christmas traditions and I think that for a long time, I resented that fact. For so long I wanted to be the "normal" kid who had their list of Christmas traditions. Ones that they would continue when they had a family of their own. As an MK who moved around a lot, our Christmases changed with each new place. When I moved back to the states as an adult, the question of Christmas traditions just reminded me of what I had given up in exchange for the MK life.
Before we moved to Africa, we had traditions.
Before we moved to Africa, Christmas was magical. We would unwrap a present on Christmas Eve. It was always a new, warm pair of pajamas that we would wear on Christmas morning.

This week, I have been reflecting on past Christmases. Maybe it's because this year, I have a daughter of my own. What do I want Christmas to be like for her? What is important to me? What were my favorite gifts? Favorite traditions?
And, I realized something. All of my "favorites" are not pre-Africa. They are not material gifs. They are not traditional, American Christmas traditions. Those are all good memories. But, all of my Christmas favorites are centered around people and experiences.
The Christmas that my grandparents came to visit us in Africa. It was such a special gift to have them come see our world.
The Christmas we spent on the island of Zanzibar - we explored Stone Town, we ate the best Indian food I've ever had while overlooking the Indian ocean, and we swam with dolphins in the rain.

For so long, I thought I would want my kids to have the kind of Christmas that I had before Africa, but I'm realizing, that is not totally true. I want my children to value the richness of experience; to appreciate people and community; to wade through the sometimes subconscious American Christmas expectations and understand deeply the real reason why we celebrate. I think this was all a lot easier when we didn't live in America. I had always dreamed of giving my children an "American Christmas," but I've realized that, while it's not bad, it is much harder to keep the important stuff central in this country. Remembering that "Jesus is the reason for the season" is significantly easier when you physically can't have all the Christmas fluff that seems to be a requirement for a "good" Christmas here.

If you liked this article you might want to check out our Fun & Traditions in Globally Mobile Families workshop