It used to be that only the Jews went out on Christmas. It was usually Chinese food, bowling and a movie. I recall many years where only 1/2 the movie theatre was filled on Christmas and you could easily get a table at a Chinese place. No so any more.
My father and I thought we had it all planned out. I would hang with my kids in the morning, get in a quick run and then we would meet for lunch and a movie. Plans changed slightly, as they do when you have an ex, and it became a movie and dinner. I didn’t think it mattered. We were likely to have the movie theatre to ourselves anyway.
We arrive at the theatre five minutes before the show started and were shocked. The parking lot (which is large) was completely filled and there were lines outside the theatre. I suggested to my dad (once we found a spot at the opposite end of the lot) that these people could not be in line waiting to see “our”move. We were seeing one that had been out for weeks! Once we navigated our walk on the icy parking lot, and stood in line for a few minutes, we were told, “It’s sold out.” What? Sold out? Are you kidding? Who are all these people? Most of whom didn’t look Jewish to me. What were non-Jews doing out? What happened to Christmas for the Jews?
We regroup and find another theatre (in a non-jewish area of town), buy the tickets off my phone and head that direction. Dinner, we muse, will be much easier.
After a great film, we head for dinner. We figure that all the people celebrating Christmas will be too full for food so it should be no problem finding a place with a table. Eventually we found a place (it was packed) and yes we got a table (the last table and as close to the door as any table they had!), but we enjoyed our “Christmas” together anyway.
I’m not sure what’s happening. Maybe the notion of Christmas is changing. When we celebrated Christmas with my Mom we stayed home all day, playing cards, skiing, going for walks. A movie or dinner out never entered our minds! What ever the reason, my Dad and I have decided that a little more forethought is going to be required in future years. I would invite you to join us but you must have been out anyway!
Have a great day!
theyearof50 