When we found out when we'd be moving to Bahrain we knew we'd be here for Christmas but we weren't sure what to expect. Would it be like a normal Christmas? Or would it be some weird, hush hush thing that we had to celebrate behind closed doors? We had no clue.
I'm beyond happy to report that, while Christmas isn't celebrated by the entire Muslim population (though it is by some- just in a different way), there are a TON of ex-pats here and their celebrations are catered to and wide spread throughout the city! Most of the big hotels have decorations throughout, celebratory meals and festive teas, there are lights and decorations throughout the city, the malls are decked out, and there have been Christmas markets and activities almost daily since the beginning of December!
We went to the tree lighting ceremony on base a couple of weeks ago and got to meet santas desert reindeer!
We got all dressed up and attended the Christmas party for Christopher's work! (Side note: Christopher had his suit handmade here!)
Stella and I met some friends and went to one of the Christmas markets a few days ago and had a great time! There were food stalls, hot chocolate, hot cider, crafts for kids, and tons more! We wandered around for a bit and then let the kids have some fun painting some Christmas crafts!
After crafting, we wandered around some more and came across a henna stall so Stella got her first henna tattoo! The woman who did it was SO fast. From start to finish it took about six minutes. I couldn't believe it- it would take me hours...haha!
After a little shopping we grabbed some snacks and drinks and relaxed a little bit and then the kids said hello to santa!
Of course, our houses halls are decked and we're ready for Christmas... and have been since before thanksgiving! What? I can't help it!
Of course, Stella's got her own tree in her room!
Christmas baking started about a week before Christmas and we spent a couple of afternoons elbow deep in sugar and butter! We made treats for ourselves and for Christopher's work!
We met with the homeschool group a few days before Christmas and built gingerbread houses!
Two days before Christmas we had a great party with the other families in our compound and one of the moms even dressed up like santa and handed out gifts! The kids absolutely loved it!
Christmas Eve saw us at the Gulf Hotel for a fancy Christmas Eve dinner with friends! It was great food and fun and a wonderful way to prep for Christmas. Although... we didn't get home til super late, so santa was here much later than he anticipated!
Stella asked santa for snow this year and he did the best he could to deliver her wish in the Middle East. (For anyone who wants to know, that's 259 snowflakes and about 2 hours worth of work!)
Stella realized earlier in the month that we're not going to North Carolina for Christmas and that she'll miss seeing everyone (and snow) this year for Christmas. Once that realization hit we had a few tears, but we did everything we could to give her a happy Christmas. It's definitely different to spend such a big, special holiday without the friends and family we're usually surrounded by, but I think we all did our best to have a good day!
The morning started out rough. Stella walked downstairs to the winter wonderland santa so lovingly (and painstakingly) prepared for her, looked at her gifts and stockings, and just stood there. Christopher and I joked with her and told her that she looked like the least excited kid on Christmas morning that there ever was and she said, "I'm not excited. I feel funny. Our family isn't here with us and it doesn't feel right" and then she burst into tears and fell into our arms. We all had a good cry and cuddle on the sofa for a few minutes before we coaxed her into opening her gifts. Once she started opening presents, she perked up a bit, but it was difficult. We facetimed with her grandparents and aunties and uncles before they all went to bed (or we woke them up... haha!) and that seemed to be the best thing to perk her little spirit up.
Christmas morning was dedicated to just the three of us together and then we opened the house up to anyone who wanted to come by for snacks and Christmas cheer! There are so many people who are stationed here that have families back in the states and we didn't want anyone to spend Christmas alone. We had quite the turn out- about a dozen people! Everyone snacked and celebrated and had a ton of fun with the plush snow balls my mom sent and the kids had fun with the kiddie pool of fake snow powder we made (also from my fantastically creative mom!)
Being overseas is an awesome experience. We love the travel and adventure and meeting new people, but the holidays are definitely more difficult than just normal, average days. We have an amazing family and love spending Christmas with them, so it's hard to be so far away. I know we had a wonderful day (and I hope we helped others have a wonderful day as well), but it was also tinged with some bittersweetness as we celebrated via FaceTime.
No comments:
Post a Comment