Deepavali 2021 was a non-event for me.  It was just another day on the calendar. I didn’t feel like it. I didn’t want to celebrate. I didn’t make any Indian cake or ‘palavaram’ associated with the festival. Even my mum was a little subdued due to her ailing health.

Deepavali 2020 was much better. It was quiet due to lockdowns but still memorable. It was the first time I made ‘murukku’ and ‘nai orundu.’ My mum was already not up to baking her signature Indian cakes particularly ‘nai orundu’ or cooking her special black pepper chicken with loads of sauteed onion and ‘mee sua’ dishes. Thankfully, she still retained her childlike enthusiasm and looked forward to the Festival of Lights. This was despite sister number 3, the real chef in the family, not being able to visit. 

Back to this year. My mum hoped sister number 3 would make it in time for the big day. And, sister number 3 did. She arrived on Deepavali eve. A tad late but still early enough to boost my mum and my spirits, regardless of her seven-day home quarantine.

Anyways, with Deepavali out of the way, I decided I could do with some cheering up after the frightful few months leading up to it.  Why not an early start to Christmas? Yes, indeed. Why not?  And what better way than going on holiday for the holiday season. Naturally, sister number 3’s presence and the opening of state borders helped facilitate our getting away from Kuala Lumpur.

Our first holiday was at Zenith Hotel, Putrajaya. It was my first holiday since the re-introduction of further lockdowns in May. Although it was a one-night getaway, walking in the very spacious and quiet Wawasan Park, and along the tree-lined roads of the administrative capital felt good. Being outdoors, and away from home and Kuala Lumpur, made a positive difference.

The second was a two-night stay at Tanjung Jara. The original reservation was for 18 and 19 March 2020. It was finally fulfilled on 16 and 17 Nov, 2021. Nearly two years later. The drive to Terengganu, our customary stop at Dunkin Donuts at the Petronas Station in Gambang and enjoying Tanjung Jara’s natural beauty was joyful and therapeutic. The third was a one-night stay at The Chateau. Re-visiting the familiar attractions at Colmar Tropicale Village such as the drawbridge, the cobbled path and shops made us happier. We also stayed a night at the colourful container-converted Padi Box Hotel/Homestay in Sekinchan. The location was idyll. Padi fields as far as the eyes can see. And, birds everywhere – mostly egrets, a few herons, and one kingfisher. Having gone away a few times, the plan is to squeeze in as many one or two day-holidays for as long as possible.

The other is watching Christmas themed movies to get into a cheerier festive mood. Courtesy of Netflix’s collection of Yuletide movies. Some were ok-good. Some were turkeys. But all had loads of snow, Santa, love, family reunions (good and bad) and gifts (ghastly cardigans). Since early November, my husband and I have watched seven Christmas movies.

I try to avoid rating movies because they are invariably influenced by personal preferences, the main actors/actresses and mood/s at the time of viewing. Anyways, we watched ‘Love Hard.’ It was inclusive with Asian stars. Predictable but watchable. ‘Let it snow’ – Good one liners. Tin-foil woman was my favourite character. ‘Holidate’ – I liked the lead actors and actress. ‘Father Christmas is Back’ – Big name celebrities. A bit of a letdown.  We also watched ‘Happiest Season.’ Huge names again. So-so movie. ‘Holiday Calendar’ – About events linked to an advent calendar. Watchable. Finally, ‘Christmas Chronicles.’ It was funny and fun. That said, our all-time favourite Christmas movie will always be ‘It’s a Wonderful Life.’ A golden oldie. Two thumbs-up.  My husband and I watched it in 1998 at sister number 3’s house on Christmas day.

Putting up the Christmas tree definitely heralded Christmas, and the Christmassy and holiday mood. Our tree went up on the last week of November. We decided not to follow convention and go the way of the shopping centres, which had their decorations up almost immediately after Deepavali in mid-November. Mammoth trees and traditional green, red and gold colour trimmings, and glittering baubles are everywhere to attract and welcome customers. Our tree is equally resplendent with ornaments that hold special meaning and memories of each passing year.

The other guaranteed cheerer upper involves chocolate. I plan to eat my way to Christmas with chocolate. Three advent calendars worth, that is. Cadbury, Reese’s and Kinder. From my husband, mum-in-law and sister respectively. I had so much fun – the anticipation and surprise – with advent calendars last year, I was rewarded with three this year.

Tis will certainly be the season for me and my belly to be jolly.