Christmas is a day away and I’m in my feels. This is outright my favorite season of the year. The December wind is blowing the dust away and decorations are up accompanied by the Christmas music.
‘Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way….’
What does the Christmas season remind you of?
“Watching Dj Afro movies in those mabati establishments in the village. You pay twenty bob and could watch movies the whole day. I remember there is this time we stayed out til midnight and on our way home we met night runners. The beatings we were given!”
Aah! The stories this one has, you can’t help but laugh. Have you ever met a night-runner? I haven’t but I know of those mabati establishments. There was one around home that used to place the program of the day outside on a chalkboard.
‘Arsenal vs Chelsea 6.00pm: Jackie Chan 8-10pm’
I never got a chance to go in one. Growing up my friends used to go for jam sessions (iykyk) on Christmas day but for me it was a different story.
In my mother’s house, we couldn’t miss church. Whether Christmas was on a Wednesday or a Sunday, we had to go to church. The morning started off with a heavy plentiful breakfast of mandazis, eggs, tea, arrowroots and the likes. Sausages were a luxury we couldn’t afford then. Then we’d dress in our new Christmas clothes. Back then, if one didn’t have a new Christmas outfit they would rather not be seen. After church, it was lunch at home and we watched movies on KTN. Later a cocktail of sodas made by mum. Yeah, mum would mix coke, krest, fanta orange and stoney together. Weirdly tasteful.
Now I’m all grown but there are some things that I can’t shake. I may not go to church this Christmas but best believe I have a new Christmas outfit. I know you’re judging but I know you are in the same boat. I’m for team #jipende (love yourself). The Cyprus tree we used to cut as Christmas tree has been replaced by artificial Cyprus Christmas trees (let’s save the trees). Mine went up the first week of December and I love how minimal it is (pictured).
I know that most of you are going upcountry this season (all Luhyas assemble). For the past three years I’ve opted to create my own traditions with my little family. And now that we are three, I’m hell bent in making sure I create lasting family traditions and not just for Christmas.
If you know me you know how extra I can be and guess who already has a Christmas menu? Yeah, guilty as charged. If it were up to me I’d be sending out Christmas cards in matching pajamas but ‘aki pesa wewe!’ (where is the money?).
As I remember trying to get that big balloon at the shop and using my savings on ball-gums and juice-cola, I want to wish you and your families a merry Christmas filled with genuine love and good food. And if you aren’t upcountry this season you are welcome to hangout with my family.
‘Tis the most wonderful time of the year!
