Christmas is that special time of year when people become overly happy and sing all the time. For people like me, Christmas is the time of year when I become agitated because no one is that happy all of the time. However, Christmas in the Caribbean is an entirely different experience.

While there are decorations, all the Christmas trees are fake because they couldn't survive the hot weather and most people don't really care. Sure, people will wish you a Merry Christmas (leaving Chanukah, but whatever) and then go on their way. Houses aren't elaborately decorated like they are in the USA where shows exist just to show off the most impressive houses. Some people will decorate their houses, but there is something about the hot weather that makes people kind of forget what time of year it is. It is a little silly after all to sing Frosty the Snowman when you're surrounded by sand and sea. While the people around us did carol during Christmas Eve, it was horrendously off-tune and more like an excuse to get absolutely wasted. Christmas in the Caribbean is more about the actual holiday, everything is closed and no one goes out to dinner Christmas night, in other words, it hasn't been wildly commercialized like it has been in the USA. This is the perfect place for a scrooge like me. I don't enjoy carols, they're either too happy or wildly depressing and lighting up your house just seems like a waste of energy and money and it keeps you neighbors awake. So this year, instead of dashing through the snow, I'll be on the beach, working up a nice tan (that's funny because I'll be pale forever), and enjoying a sunny Christmas.