Dreaming of a White Christmas?
Being in the Southern hemisphere during this magical pre-Christmas time made me realize how lucky we are to live in a European climate. If you have a crazy idea of spending December in a more tropical environment (like me), the reasons listed below will convince you not to.
Firstly, nobody ever saw Santa Claus wearing anything different than a coat, snow boots and winter pants. I suppose he doesn’t even have a swimsuit in his closet, so he’d be awkwardly overdressed for a Christmas pool party in South Africa. Perhaps he should ask for new Speedos as a Christmas gift, next year.
Spicy ginger bread, glühwein and eggnog just don’t taste the same in 30°C. The gingerbread man would also be very upset if you locked him in a gingerbread house, when he could be getting a tan on the beach, instead. Which is not a good idea
either – gingerbread men burn easily. Christmas decorations are significantly less impressive when displayed on a palm tree. It is also very unpractical to climb
up ten meters just to put a star on the top. Or to build a house with a ceiling high enough for the palm tree to even fit in. Mr. Snowman can’t handle high temperatures. Just the thought of it makes him sweat. Besides, whoever experienced an encounter with African baboons, will know that nothing will stop them from stealing food, even if it’s Mr. Snowman’s nose. Then there’s Rudolph, who will likely share the aversion
to the tropical climate. He just wouldn’t be the same if he healed his cold – without the red nose he’s just a regular reindeer.
Besides, who would give up watching Home Alone for the hundredth time, with a snow blizzard outside the window? Or receiving a horribly tasteless pair of socks? Or shoveling tons of snow off the driveway every day before you can even consider going anywhere?
Oh, who am I kidding? Let’s move Christmas closer to the
equator.
Sonia Kolasinska is a third-year Liberal Arts student.
