Why I hate Christmas in Thailand

[Makiy0]

It's not that I don't understand why I'm celebrating Christmas, as a Roman Catholic, I know very well the meaning Christmas brings but it just becomes too commercialized and loses the magic that it once had for me when I was little. Very sad but true.

[D80]

Well, I agree that Christmas (and Easter and New Year and etc etc etc) has become commercialised. But I have got to say that the way Thai people (and department stores for that matter) take to Christmas and other celebrations from different culture is also a very 'Thai' thing (ok ok, the stores are probably doing it for money but hey, they are in the business of making money anyway and they make no effort to hide it in the first place).

I agree that it has little to do with religious toleration, really. Although that is the first hurdle that the Thais seem to cross pretty easily. I think Thai people do like celebrations that are or can be 'sanuk' (fun). It does not really matter to them what the celebrations are actually for.

I am a Buddhist but I was educated in a catholic school for most part of the first 12 years of my life. I was taught the religious implications of these celebrations. When I moved to Thai school, people still celebrate Christmas because, simply, it is fun!

I mean, no disrespect to the religion, many Thai people do see some of the religious celebrations as 'an excuse to party' and frankly if we don't take it too seriously as to start competing with each other trying to come up with the best/most expensive presents or disrespecting the whole religion, then I don't see much of a problem here.

When I was in the catholic school, I did celebrate Christmas, with its religious implication in toll even though I was and still am a Buddhist. But generally, when I was in Thailand, and Christmas time comes, I do enjoy sending a few cards, making and buying a few presents for friends and family myself. Most people I know put far more importance into New Year Celebration than Christmas, really.

To summarise, most Thai people I know, who are not Christian in their religious belief, celebrate Christmas in Thailand because it is a 'sanuk' thing to do. Department stores know this and they also know they could make a few more bahts accommodating these people. It did get on my nerves last time when I was in Thailand that the shops seem to keep playing Christmas songs over and over and over and over again!! But apart from that, I would say, don't take it too seriously, mate! I don't think it is entirely about 'copying Western culture'. It is a lot to do with the Thais' idea of having fun as well!

[Vali]

OK First off. I dont think that Thailand should be seen as an "escape" from the US or the Western world. People who decide to LIVE in Thailand should live there because they LOVE it. Not because they hate the alternative.

Thailand is Thailand. It is not the opposite of the US. It is Thailand.

Then about the globalisation issue. You know, if Christmas in Thailand were about the spread of the West's cultural imperialism then it would be rooted in the hands of people from the West. However this is what the Thai people are deciding to do. They enjoy it. It may make you sick as a foreigner, but if this is what the Thais choose to do then it is a Thai thing and a part of life in Thailand.

Of course the commercialisation is bad. It is bad for the Christians who view the holiday of the birth of Christ as sacred. For the rest of us it's just an excuse to give gifts. Even if many people make it way too commecialised, you don't have to succumb. My brother gave black and white photos of to everyone in my family. He developed them himself and everything. We aren't Christian but the whole family still comes together.

[Makiy0]

I'm very sorry and apologise deeply if I have sparked off any debates but all I had wished to say was that as I grew older, Christmas became less meaningful to me. It didn't matter where I celebrated it or who I was with. The whole event just becomes less and less magical compared to when I was little.
Again many apologises.

[Vali]

Makiy0, I don't think you need to apologise. In ancient Rome and Greece, the forums were where people came to debate, to share ideas and discuss their merits. What would a forum be without the free exchange of ideas?

[Gurce]

Hmm, my favourite part of Christmas was waking up early for the christmas cartoons...

For me, Christmas doesn't do much, because I don't celebrate, being muslim (not very heavy into religion though).

But I remember the sensation, growing up in Australia, the muslim kids would always be jealous of the christian kids around christmas time, the sensation was like, "Oh, it's not fair! They are getting lots of presents, and I'm not!"

This has inevitably led to many muslim families here (and I'm sure in other countries) to celebrate christmas too, just for fun, and probably to keep the kids happy too Maybe it is the same story in Thailand too?

This is human nature I guess, like you said, grass is always greener on the other side. Or maybe even the other phrase could be appropriate, "keeping up with the joneses"?

[Makiy0]

Vali, thanks for the short history trip about the forum. I guess you're right.

[julibune]

i don't know what i really feel about x'mas
i'm not christian. i haven't lived in a country where they see christmas as a 'big deal' for that long.
and x'mas in Australia is Summer so i don't get the picture of white x'mas
to me it's just like a big thin for chistian people... probably like Songkran to me and thai people.
It's international and even thai people celebrate (thogh they are so not christian)
as long as we can still stick to the realy propose of x'mas i think it should be fine.

but they are all fading away now, aren't they?

Reading thru all the comments beginning with Steve's, i would have to say that both parties have their logic, with due respect, everyone is entitled to their own feelings and opinions about different matters. (The 'Grass is Greener on the other side statement is rather factual)

Christmas is getting more commercialised, and i share the opinion that there are less people who celebrate christmas without actually knowing the meaning behind the religious holiday. Furthermore, i see nothing wrong with people who use Christmas as a reason for families to get together, even though they are non-believers.
For those of you who feel that Christmas has lost its meaning, I urge you to once again renew your christmas spirit. You could spend christmas inviting friends to your home, start decorating your place with stockings, Christmas trees, etc. Or be more courageous and give a sermon? Volunteer yourself and spend christmas in an old folks' home? Help underpriviledged kids spent a meaningful and happy christmas? I think maybe christmas has become so routine and mundane for a lot of us such that the act of celebrating the holiday can be just like waking up and brushing your teeth.

I used to share the same feelings as Makiyo when she mentioned "I feel that the significance of Christmas simply deminishes as you age. Wonder if anyone agrees with me.....or am I the only one that feels this way." Now i'm happy to say that i still look forward to Christmas this year !

[dscarter]

I agree that Christmas can "lose it's magic" but I feel this happens when we are not celebrating the truth of what Christmas is. Christmas (to Christians) is the celebration of the coming of One who would lay down his life for those whom he loves. Christmas is celebrating the birth of our Lord, Jesus, who came into our world as a baby, helpless and vulnerable. He grew up and became a man who sacrificed his life on the Cross, so that we may join him at the end of our lives on earth.
When we were kids, this was all secondary. All we really cared about were the presents that Santa would bring. Sure, it's fun to get wrapped up in the traditions of the Season, the tree, the gift-giving, the gatherings of loved ones. But it's empty without the reason behind it. If it becomes an obligation, a pressure, then it's meaning is lost. It's about love. True love.
Focusing on the celebration without thinking about the reason behind it causes many people great depression and dispair at this time of year when everyone is "supposed" to be happy and warm. As a child, it was magical that there would be presents under the tree and in our stockings on Christmas morning, after a long period of anticipation. I was disappointed many a Christmas. It wasn't magical enough; I didn't get exactly what I wanted; or it was just an anti-clamactic experience after all the hype. So now that I'm an adult, I have more realistic expectations. Perhaps it's not as "magical" as it once was. But, for me, it's better.
So I agree that Christmas has not lost its meaning. Pour out love on Christmas, and you will not be disappointed. Make sure it comes from your heart, and not a sense of obligation. As it says in the Bible "God is Love. Those who dwell in love, dwell in God, and those who dwell in God, dwell in Love." 1 John 4:16