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| I permitted myself one "wintry" song today during practice. |
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| The advent calendar variety is A+. |
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| I expected the €500 to be bigger, but hey, I'm not complaining! |
This blog began when I got the opportunity to live in Aachen, Germany, which happens to be 5000 miles away from my home state of Oregon. Although I am back in the US, I'm continuing the blog to keep friends and family all over the world updated on my life in America.
Monday, November 3, 2014
The Golden Rule: No Christmas Music Before Turkey Day
I've always thought there's this commonly accepted, but not really openly discussed, rule that states you have to wait until after Thanksgiving to let the Christmas music start rolling. Well, Christmas season is already in full swing here, and that means Frosty the Snowman has already started hop-hop-hoppity-ing.
It definitely feels like Black Friday has already come and gone. All the stores are closed here on Sundays, but this past Sunday was Verkaufsoffener Sonntag, which means the stores in downtown Aachen were open. What with all the people and the unusually awesome fall weather, it actually kind of felt like summer again. The department stores have their special Christmas linens with little Saint Nicks all over the place, the toy section is stocked, and boy oh boy, have I ever seen the best chocolate department (I'm currently accepting any gifts that rhyme with "bent" and start with an L).
Kaufhof, which is a department store similar to Macy's, was jam packed Sunday. I guess they get their Christmas shopping done early here? But don't worry, I've got my Christmas gift money all set. I hit up the Euro Store while in town Sunday and found a €500 in the little chocolate package I bought! I guess the Christmas magic has arrived early, too.
So even though I'm currently mentally preparing for Thanksgiving, Rudolph and company are fast upon us. Just the other day I was waiting in line at the Cafetoria, and two little fifth grade girls behind me were singing Christmas carols. I laughed and asked if it wasn't a little early for that, but they just replied that they're the biggest Christmas fans in the world. Kind of hard to not appreciate that kind of (adorable) enthusiasm.