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Naveen knew of Christmas but he never practised it. Christmas was associated with Christianity, which wasn’t the primary religion of Maldonia. Despite that, citizens who celebrated Christmas were given the day off which they would attend the only Church on the island, where they would partake in collective prayer at midnight. The rest of the day would be celebrated with a grand fest with family and friends while exchanging a gift or two.
Naveen figured it was the same in New Orleans but when Christmas approached during his first year in America, he quickly learned how incorrect he was.
It started on December first, when he was greeted at the restaurant by a large pine tree standing proudly in the middle of the restaurant. He stared with shock and disgust on his face. He simply couldn't phantom the concept of cutting down a tree that wasn’t even native to New Orleans for it to sit inside a building for a whole month.
“What does a tree have to do with Baby Jesus's birth?” He asked earnestly, as he watched Tiana and Charlotte decorate the tree with candles and paper ribbons. The two girls laughed at each other. “Because it’s beautiful!” Charlotte pointed out. “Hmhum, and it is a place for everyone to gather and share the love with one another,” Tiana added.
Naveen scoffed. “Doesn’t it feel a little unethical to throw on some glittery decorations on a dying tree? Feels counteractive to Jesus’s message of peace, love, and respect for the earth.”
“Amen,” Eudora shouted from the end of the room.
The two young women stared at each other in disbelief.
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One Saturday afternoon in early December in New Orleans, people gathered in the streets to watch a grand parade only secound to Mardi Gras.
“What’s so special about THIS parade?” he asked.
“Just wait and see,” Tiana replied as they stood out in front of the restaurant, watching a marching band go by.
Soon children started to scream in joy, and Tiana grabbed Naveen’s hand. He could see her eyes widen with excitement and this made him smile.
“THERE HE IS!” she shouted in joy.
An older chubby white man in a red wool suit sat in a sledge perched on top of a float.
“Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!” The strange man shouted.
“And who is this man and why is he wearing such a ridiculous outfit. No one should wear a double-layered fur coat in this weather!”. Naveen huffed.
Tiana sighed.
“His name is Father Christmas.” Naveen gave her a blank look. “He brings gifts to children.” She replied with a bit of excitement in her voice. “You know … Santa Clause.”
“AH, you mean Saint Nicolaas. The saint, who spent his birthdays giving small gifts of clothing and sweets to poor children” Naveen stated with pride. Finally, a tradition he understood.
“Except wasn’t he from Spain?” he asked himself out loud.
“Who?” she replied.
Naveen sighed.
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Naveen stood in the doorway between the restaurant’s main hall and the kitchen. He scanned the room which was now covered in ungodly amounts of tinsel, little winter towns, table tops of fake little trees, and garlands of various themes. Too many garlands if you asked him. There were green garlands, popcorn garlands, bead garlands, and bells. Tiana had made a Jazz theme Christmas Riff that now sat on the entrance door. Stringed lights webbed the walls, and even then they were outshined by the large Christmas tree.
He bit his nails, a habit he wasn’t proud of as he watched his staff serve the meals while the customers chatted. The band played Christmas tunes, though quieter than usual by Naveen's request. If he heard Jingle Bells one more time he was going to scream. It baffled him how many people would sing along in glee; did no one actually listen to the lyrics? An innocent family drown! Why in the world would anyone celebrate that?
Every so often he would glance at the tree to make sure it wasn’t on fire. Naveen loved to be showy, but all of this was simply too much.
He noticed a young woman sitting at a table near the kitchen door. She made glances at him as she smirked. Naveen was used to customers flirting with him, and he knew how to be charming without leading them on with false hope. He smirked back and gave a little wink. Usually, this would lead women to go red in the face and look away, sometimes giggling to their friends that they caught his attention even for just a moment. This time it didn’t work. The woman got right up, walked up to him with confidence and kissed him on the cheek.
“HOW DARE YOU!” He shouted, feeling violated. Last year Naveen would have been thrilled by all of this, but now he barely liked being hugged by Charlotte, let alone anyone who wasn’t Tiana or intimate family.
“You’re standing under the mistletoe!” The woman snapped back as she pointed toward a piece of greenery that was nailed to the top of the doorway.
Naveen looked up puzzled.
“You are supposed to kiss those who stand under it! It’s tradition.” The woman said playfully as she stood as close to him as possible under the mistletoe, pointing to her cheek, hoping for just a peck.
“So? Ever heard of asking for permission first, mistletoe or not!?” Naveen huffed as he walked into the kitchen to get away from the woman.
“Besides, mistletoe is poisonous”!
If Tiana put it up there to be cute, she could have placed it on top of the bedroom door.
“This is a bit extensive, no?” Naveen asked as he watched Tiana place wrapped gifts under the tree.
“Not every gift is for you, froggy prince,” she replied back playfully.
“I know, but wasn’t the whole frog experience to teach me that money isn’t the key to happiness?” He replied back seriously. “Even if I wanted so many gifts, I don’t NEED them.”
“He’s right Babycakes.” Eudora said as she rose from her seat. “You know just as well that a good meal and family are all that it takes for a great Christmas.”
Tiana shook her head. “I think you two will change your mind once you open them.” She said as she started to make her way to the kitchen.
“You sure will be needing them, and maybe a stiff drink too.” Naveen and Eudora gave each other a look.
Naveen plopped down on a chair. “It’s official, Christmas has defeated me.”
“If you think it's bad now, just wait until you have children.”
Naveen groaned.
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Christmas morning had arrived, and Naveen woke up to an empty bed. Still not fully awake, he leaned over to the bedside table to check the clock. 10:33am. Faldi faldonza.
“Finally awake, sleepy prince!” Tiana shouted as he walked down the stairs from their loft to the restaurant. “We were just about to have Christmas lunch.”
Eudora, Charlotte and Eli, dressed in their festive wear, cheerfully passed around food and filled their plates.
“I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to sleep in so late.” Naveen pleaded, expecting a stern talk.
Tiana rolled her eyes. “It’s Christmas, would’ve been rude to wake you up so early. Let’s consider it a Christmas gift.” She giggled as she handed him a plate of food.
As they ate, Tiana handed out three envelopes. Naveen took the one with his name written on it suspiciously “What tradition is this?” he asked, as he debated on opening it. Except, he couldn’t help but feel that this wasn’t normal as Eudora and Charlotte seemed a little confused.
“Go on, open them.” Tiana urged. “It’s your stocking stuffer”.
“Stocking what?” There was no point in asking anymore. Naveen opened his carefully with a mouthful of food. Inside was a white piece of paper folded up. As he unfolded it, I revealed various drawn pictures following step-by-step written instructions. As he studied it he noticed it was instructions to build a bed. What kind of bed has a cage around it? He chuckled to himself.
Then it dawned on.
He looked up and studied Eudora and Charlotte. Eudora had fabric patterns for children’s clothing. The front had a picture of children wearing prince and princess outfits. Her eyes widen and she shot Naveen a look. He returned a look of “I didn’t know!”
“Tia, this is a charm with “Best Aunt” engraved on it.” Charlotte pointed out as she held the charm up in her hand. She looked up in glee. “You’re gonna have a baby!”
“Merry Christmas y’all,” Tiana said with pride.
“Ashidanza!” Naveen shouted as he picked up his wife and twirled her around. “Let me guess, that big wrapped gift with my name on it is the crib?” He said, unimpressed that Tiana had given him work as a gift.
Tiana chuckled as the family grouped together for a hug.
The rest of the day was spent talking, dancing, and a few rounds of cards. He had never laughed as hard as he did that day. He had never felt so much love in one room before as he did that day. He felt a warmth deep within his soul that he never experienced. For the first time in his life, Naveen understood what Christmas was really about.
Though ask again in three years and he might have a different opinion.