The first day of winter is approaching soon in the Northern Hemisphere. To be exact, it will begin this Friday! And with winter, many long to see white, fluffy snow blanket across their surroundings. Many also wish for a white Christmas.
Today guest writer, Maria Carmen Wellington of the blog Wellington World Travels, talks about experiencing her first white Christmas. As a fellow expat, her story of experiencing her first white Christmas is relatable and bittersweet.
Growing up in the Philippines, Christmas means decorating the houses with Christmas trees, lights and lanterns, exchanging gifts, singing Christmas songs, attending Misa de Gallo for nine days, having fireworks, and a Noche Buena on Christmas Eve.
While I love the joyous, colorful and lively Christmas celebration in the Philippines, I have always dreamt of a White Christmas. I have dreamt of wearing warm clothes, watching snow fall, playing in the snow, making a snowman.
When an opportunity came for me to travel, I spent my first White Christmas in Frankfurt, Germany in 2010. This was not by choice – I was scheduled to go there for work. I will never forget the experience. I stayed at a hotel. The lobby was decorated and had a big Christmas tree. The snow was falling, and it was zero degree Celsius when I reached there. It was everything I had ever wanted and imagined. The only problem was that I was alone.
It was my first White Christmas, my first Christmas abroad, my first Christmas away from my family, and my first Christmas alone…
Not to feel homesick and sad, I called my family and wished them a Merry Christmas, and played some Christmas songs in my hotel room. I walked around downtown and had a hot chocolate. I even made a snow angel. This was my first time! So I would never miss the chance to do this. Then, I had a Christmas dinner at the hotel. I stayed in Frankfurt for four days.
It was short but sweet. I was alone but still memorable.
Bing Crosby’s version of White Christmas is the biggest-selling single worldwide of all time. It was written by Irving Berlin reminiscing about an old Christmas setting.
The song refers to the soldiers during the World War II dreaming of a white Christmas with their families “with every Christmas card I write” and their families waiting for them back home “where the treetops glisten, and children listen to hear sleigh bells in the snow”.
For me, I dreamt of a White Christmas. And I am still dreaming of a white Christmas – literally white (with snow) – with my family…
May your days be merry and bright,
And may all your Christmases be white!
Such a great story. A big white family Christmas is always the dream isn’t it
This is a great post, thanks for sharing 🙂 what’s your favorite part about Christmas?
I like seeing the snow in the air but I really don’t like for it to accumulate like I did as a child. Thankfully here in the Tennessee Valley, we do not get too much of the white fluff annually. Our biggest concern is the black ice which is a zillion times worse than snow.
“White Christmas” is a treasure for the ages and it never goes out of style. I love this song. I have seen the old Christmas classic White Christmas with Bing Crosby? If not, you ought to! It’s beautiful!
I noticed you didn’t join my 4M linky, so I’m going to add you to the party. We’d love to have boogie with anytime! Have a joyful and blessed Christmas, dearheart!
This year I 100% will NOT be having a white Christmas. I am pretty bummed about it but I am also kinda pumped to NOT have to travel this year. The airports are just utter mayhem this time of the year, so I can totally DO WITHOUT it!
I am so jealous!! It never snows in Greece (well just in a few places). I would love nothing more than to experience white Christmas.
What a lovely post! I grew up in Australia so my first White Christmas was when I was 21 and had just moved to Canada. It was magical!
Now I live in London and we don’t really get enough snow for a white Christmas but I can hope… 🙂
Great post, thanks for sharing your Christmas experience with us ❤ 🎄⭐🎁
Such beautiful photos. Thank you for sharing your experiences.
I did not know the story about the song. It must be so difficult to be spending Christmas alone, away from family. I can relate to that as I have have had that experience. We have been living in a place where it never snows so you can be sure that I am definitely dreaming of a white Christmas.
I love all of the Michael Buble covers, for me putting on his Christmas album officially makes it Christmas time. But the Bing version is an ultimate classic x
Sounds like a wonderful experience! I don’t think I have seen a white Christmas before, don’t think it will be this year either
Only once in my life i have celebrated or enjoyed christmas when I was in Italy. And I guess you are gonna love it.
I had a white Christmas some years ago. It was so amazing. Love a good white Christmas.
Such a beautiful post.. I liked the pictures..snowy winters is so exciting.. enjoy
White Christmas is such a beautiful song. I have heard the Buble version. But there is just nothing like the one by Bing Crosby. He’s just got this voice which resonates.
It makes me thoughtful to realize that what is normal to me (snow in winter) who has spent her entire life (except for two years) in places where it snows in winter, could be something special and longed after for others. The song “White Christmas” is such a classic. It affects anyone who has ever heard it. Thank you for joining in!