Ruby in the Sky

It’s december! The month of celebration; the dutch holiday of St. Nicholas, my birthday, Christmas and the cherry on top: New year’s eve.

To be honest, I’ve never been a big fan of Christmas. I don’t really like winter and because of St. Nicholas Christmas is not that big of a deal here. I don’t like the way dark green and red look together and family dinners are something I’m afraid I’ve always taken for granted.

Over the years my love for the season has grown a bit, from hate to tolerance with occasional spots of appreciation, if you will. And since the best way to get through anything you don’t like is by trying to see the bright side, today I’m challenging myself so name 5 things I enjoy about the holiday season!

#1 Friends and family

It might not seem obvious, what with me taking it all for granted, but I do love my family and my friends very dearly. The crowd I’m involving myself with these days is one of eternal cuddles and both physical and emotional warmth, which makes me feel much more fuzzy about Christmas time than before. They teach me Christmas spirit in the best way possible <3

#2 New year’s eve

I love New year’s, because I love the tradition that we have of having good food and playing games together until the clock strikes 12, then going outside to look at fireworks and (fear that something will go terribly wrong) lighting them. I remember always feeling frustrated with having to sleep when I was younger and even though I’m usually broken by the time the clock hits 12, the little girl in me still rejoices that I get to stay up, I guess ;)

#3 Fire(works)

Fire and especially fireworks hold a special place in my heart. It’s so easy for me to just get lost in thought staring into them, and they have a feeling of fresh, new beginnings to them which have always quite liked. The thought of being able to start over and try to do better at some things I wasn’t happy with before just really calms me in a weird, ecstatic way.

#4 Snow

Now this one is a little bit of a love/hate for me, because from the moment the first snow and ice are a reality I fear for my life. As you’ll know from all the (very true) stereotypes, the Netherlands are serious about cycling. Winter does not stop us. But that does mean I’ll sometimes cycle through a brown slug of wet snow and trust me, it’s not fun.

However, as of last year I definitely see the beauty in falling snow. I remember walking out of a theater show last winter, I think it was Medea, and walking into the snow. To date I don’t understand why, but something clicked and since then I’ve loved (watching) snow.

#5 Pretty lights

To be honest, there’s good lights and there’s bad lights. Some of the bigger lights hung over busy streets are absolutely horrific, in my opinion, but I love fairy lights and candles and some other decorations companies put up on their buildings. Another form of pretty lights I love is Amsterdam Light Festival, where for about 2 months, there’s different art projects with lights spread around town. I cycle around a lot, and in those 2 months I always come across new, pretty constructions and they never fail to make me smile.

As a famous dutch soccer player once said: ‘every downside has its upsides’. Despite the horrific cold, there’s also beauty in the winter months and despite the awful colour scheme, there’s coziness in Christmas sweaters.

What do you like most about winter?

Love, Ruby