Christmas and some beautiful memories

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It all starts at the beginning of December month. At school, our teachers would be worried about completing the academic curriculum for the second term of the school year, while we students would be in a whole different mood.

As the Christmas season approaches, the class leader would prepare chits with the name of the students for secret Santa. The teacher would warn us not to disclose our friend to anyone, but by the next day before the lunch break, everyone would know everyone's friend. As we have our friend now, we will be in a frenzy to pick the best gift within the prescribed budget while the exam is around the corner. Christmas cards would be a part of the gift along with chocolates and other things. We would have all the gifts together in a beautifully wrapped box and then starts the wait to hand over the gift to our friend. Apart from the gift to the Christmas friend, we would buy small cards for our close friends and teachers.

Who all reading this travelled by school bus? I did and cannot forget the way we used to decorate the bus with balloons, colored ribbons, various hangings, etc. We used to be too competitive in this as we kids travelling by different buses would taunt each other comparing the buses. Even the bus's driver uncle and the otherwise strict aunty would be too helpful with decorating the buses and we would keep spare balloons handy to replace the burst ones.

Then comes the Christmas carol practice. 'Silent Night' and 'Jingle Bells' would be a mainstay among the songs. Who all didn't have a clue of the words of the song 'Jingle Bells' and used to blabber whatever came to mind and sang to the tune? I had no clue till the day my teacher gave me the written lyrics.

While all this happens, exams zoom by and then comes the final day of the second term. The teachers would make sure the easiest exam is scheduled for the last day, mostly GK, Moral Science so that we can finish it off early and make the arrangements for the day's celebration. It would be a 2-hour exam and we would hardly take 45 minutes to wrap up. We exchange our gifts and then off we go for the final practice of the carols and this is when we decide the mike position, order of the songs, etc.

The auditorium would be ready for the showdown. The KG classes would be seated at the front and in order the higher classes behind them. The room would have a decorated Christmas tree and a crib, students dressed as mother Mary, Joseph and angels. After the initial short speeches by the principal and teachers, we start with the carol songs. We often keep 'Jingle Bells' for the end because that is when Santa comes to greet us from the backdoor of the auditorium. He would walk towards the centre stage creating awe among the younger kids while the older ones start guessing who is Christmas Papa this time looking around the room. Santa would dance to the tune of Jingle Bells and the atmosphere of the room would be electric. Once the song is over, Santa would greet the kids with his characteristic 'Hahaha' and his language would be translated to the kids by the Principal. Santa wouldn't stay for long and he would say goodbye to the kids giving shake hands and candies as Jingle Bells plays in the background.

As we return home after all the celebration, we would have plum cakes from friends, family, that will last till New Year's eve. Now we would already have Christmas Stars to hang in front of the house from previous years, but still would insist to get the trendier ones that year. Now, with the house decorated with lights and stars, comes the wait for Christmas Papa. We refused to go to sleep and often waited till midnight for Santa along with his carol gang.

The following days would be spent with friends and family often playing, discussing about gifts and more importantly the dread to go back to school.

Now tell me what are your fond memories of Christmas?