Ho-Ho-Who-Knew?!?

‘Twas the month before Christmas and all through Buddhist Southeast Asia, what to the wondering eyes of Partout should appear but. . .

Christmas trees!? Reindeer!? Red and green city lights!? Santa Claus!? Jingle Bells and Silent Night on a continuous play loop in restaurants!????

When we asked them why, locals typically said it was for the tourists and expats. We’re not convinced. Professor Google says “Buddhists do celebrate Christmas, but they do so in their unique way, focusing on the values of peace, love, and kindness that resonate with their beliefs. They enjoy Christmas decorations and the act of lighting and decorating trees.”

To which we can only say . . . Understatement!

Exhibit A: Buddha contemplates a Christmas tree in the Angkor National Museum near Angkor Wat.

Exhibit B: Santa and Rudolph greet diners at a restaurant where employees wear reindeer antlers in Laos’s capital city.

Exhibit C: Santa, reindeer and gifts take over a stairway in a Cambodian hotel

If we wanted to be cynical, we’d say there might be a little profit motive behind some of the deck halls.

And Christmas packaging for easy gift-giving

Even Christmas outfits for sale!

Whatever and wherever you are celebrating, we hope your day is merry and bright and wish you a 2025 as fun and eye-opening as finding Buddhists saluting Christmas has been for us.

NEXT STOP: As Monty Python would say …