Growing up in Delhi, where every festival was celebrated with so much joy and colour, my “brown Christmas” was magical in its own way.
Even though so many desis were obsessing over a perfect “white Christmas,” it was about visiting school fetes, decorating a small Christmas tree, and tearing into presents with excitement.
But who am I to say when I too was dreaming of celebrating Christmas in the snow—just like in the white movies?
That dream came true last year, though in a way I didn’t expect. I cut my Europe backpacking trip short to rush home to my two favourite beings in the world: my puppy, Barfi, and my partner, Naman.
Since moving to Canada, I’ve learned a hard truth—immigrants don’t just make friends; they adopt them as family. And those who know me, know I am a pro at making friends via osmosis.
This Christmas, just like the last two, I won’t be celebrating with my didi and Maa in Delhi but with my chosen family here.
And let me tell you, our Christmas is anything but traditional.
We’re a group of immigrants, so our potluck is a delicious mix of everything: turkey with a Mexican mole twist, samosas that disappear faster than they’re served, and random snacks we all pretend are festive. (I’m looking at you, Costco cookies.)
What makes this season special, though, is that it still feels magical—even as a grown-up who knows Santa isn’t real and that “holiday sales” are a scam.
There’s just something about the holidays that makes everything seem a little brighter. The saddest streets suddenly look Instagram-worthy thanks to fairy lights, and people smile more, even if it’s just because they’re tipsy on spiked eggnog.
For a brief moment, it feels like kindness is contagious—or maybe everyone’s just trying to make up for being terrible the rest of the year.
It’s also the one time we can escape our 9-to-5 routines that slowly turn us into screen-addicted zombies.
Suddenly, we’re baking cookies we don’t even like, hunting for gifts that no one asked for, and spending time with people we’ve avoided all year. And somehow, it’s amazing. The holidays remind us to pause, laugh, and actually connect with the people we love—or at least tolerate.
It’s easy to get lost in the monotony of everyday life, but this time of year makes even the little things feel special.
Whether it’s sharing a meal, swapping goofy gifts (why does someone always give socks?), or just sitting around watching Christmas lights blink in synchronized chaos, there’s joy in the simplest moments.
Of course, I miss celebrating with my family back in India, but here, in this beautiful chaos of mixed traditions and cuisines, I’ve found my own version of Christmas magic.
It’s messy, loud, and a little unconventional—just the way I like it.
