Judo Christmas Party

On Saturday night the Judo club had a Christmas party. Once a few people arrived, we did an informal beer and wine kanpai (all Japanese gatherings start with a kanpai, no matter how informal- a fun tradition :)) and got the party started.

Like last time, this was very much a family affair. All the adults sitting in the living room/main room drinking and talking while the kids ran in and out and played upstairs. I've noticed the parents really seem to take care of their kids and give them high priority. When the food was all laid out, they called the kids to come down and eat first. The parents all made sure the kids are full and happy, eating everything they wanted before any of the parents started to eat. Also, I took sweet potato casserole for everyone, so the parents had me serve it to the kids and were telling them "This is a special gift from Olivia, American food!" The kids were a bit afraid to try it, because of course they have never eaten it before. But at the parents insistence, even the scared kids ate it and even said they liked it. But a couple of the boys were actually quick to volunteer to try it, so I take that as a sign that they are warming up to me. 

We had so many delicious foods! Handmade sushi, aburage (fried tofu pouches) stuffed with chicken, crab and much more! I also took thumbprint cookies, which were a big hit with everyone. Also, someone brought two little "Christmas Cakes," because eating cake is apparently a "Christmas thing" here. They put candles on them and turned the lights down, and the kids blow them out like a birthday cake. I thought this was hilarious, but then I was discussing it with the parents and they said it is not a normal thing even for Japan. In Japan, like America, blowing out candles on a cake is usually just for birthdays not Christmas. But it was fun for the kids anyway.

Although I was with very different people, in a very different culture, eating vastly different foods than my "normal" Christmas time experiences, it was wonderful to have people to celebrate Christmas with in a fun, family environment.