A.J. Griffiths-Jones
December is a busy time of year for many expatriates, with many returning to their birth countries to spend the festive season with family and friends, others off in search of winter sun, while lots of us remain here in Turkiye, content to create our own celebrations at home.
It’s quite unusual living in a place where the majority of the population doesn’t celebrate Christmas due to religious reasons and creating a ‘replica’ December 25th can be both challenging and stressful.
One of the most traditional Western activities in the run up to Christmas is to attend a pantomime and this year I was delighted to join my friend for a night of superb entertainment hosted by the Glee Club at the American College of Culture in Didim.
I wasn’t sure what to expect, quite honestly, but the group went above and beyond, creating a marvellous tribute to the tale of ‘Dick Whittington’ with amazing sets and a superb cast, with the support of dozens of volunteers and sponsors who toiled behind the scenes. I honestly haven’t laughed so much in ages and can’t wait to see what they have in store for next year.
Another wonderful tradition that can be found in larger populated areas is carol singing and church services. There’s nothing quite like a festive song to get you in the mood for Christmas and the dulcet tones of enthusiastic carollers are both a nod towards the time of year and a reminder of the origins of why we celebrate it.
Over the past couple of years, it’s been lovely seeing how many more restaurants and bars cater for expats, cooking up three-course meals and hosting activities, such as quizzes and table-top sales. Such days have become something to look forward to for those who dread the thought of cooking a turkey or getting caught up in the endless baking of traditional treats such as mince pies, trifle, and fruit cake.
For those who choose to go away over the festive period, there are some great all-inclusive hotel deals around. This solves the issue of having to think about what to cook, and there is usually plenty of entertainment to ensure you have a good time. The only dilemma you might have is which party dress or shirt to wear, although getting into the Christmas spirit for many usually means purchasing a seasonal sweater emblazoned with snowflakes, elves or a very jolly Santa.
But what of preparation for Christmas Day itself if you are spending it at home? Nowadays you can find artificial Christmas trees and decorations in most supermarkets, table napkins and wreaths are readily on sale, and many recipes can be adapted to include the foodstuffs available here.
However, the biggest difficulty is buying presents. Believe me, with this being my third Christmas in Turkiye, I’m really struggling! With import duty on foreign goods being high, the cost of aftershave, clothing, sports equipment and electronic gadgets make for expensive gifts. However, that’s the fun part, and this year will be all about the little things. Sometimes a beautifully wrapped fun item which has been carefully selected to put a smile on your face means much more than a designer purchase that almost breaks the bank. After all, it’s the thought that counts.
Finally, let’s spare a thought for those who will be on their own this December. Sadly, losing a partner comes to us all sooner or later and being alone at Christmas can be a painful and upsetting experience.
Perhaps that spare seat at the table could be filled by a lonely friend or neighbour, an invitation for dinner might be appreciated far more than you realise, and the memory of spending the day together might bring a smile to all concerned. There is one thing that Christmas is, no matter your creed, colour or religion, it is the season of good will.