Is there Christmas in Morocco?

Christmas is just around the corner. This thought hit us a few days ago. It is quite hard to think about it lying in the sun enjoying a cold beer, especially for those ones who are used to having some cold and snow around at this time of year. But as the famous holiday is coming closer, and our friends post all their pictures of Christmas parties, decorations, markets and foods on facebook, it is hard not to put some thought into it. And there it was, a little bit of homesickness glittering in the eyes of our surfers at Surf Camp Taghazout. As always, we asked ourselves, what to do?

Now Morocco is not really a country which celebrates Christmas and we wondered, if there is a way to buy some Christmas decorations anywhere (ornaments, stockings and stuff…). Our three self-appointed Christmas elves Kisha, Calie, and Aga went on a mission to the giant supermarket Marjane to find out. Luckily, they discovered a whole Christmas isle and dug right into it. Choosing the color theme blue, gold, and red, ornaments, stockings, a mini Christmas tree, and Santa hats went into the trolley. Only lights were nowhere to be found. Not a problem for our Christmas elves though. They just went to Mr. Bricolage and got some there, really fancy ones, too.

Back in the camp, the festivity of decorating was about to begin. We turned up some old old Christmas carols, put on our Santa’s hats, and started making the room nice and christmassy, all the while discussing if it is Santa Claus or Christ Child who brings the presents. It turned out that Christmas traditions are very different in the many countries our guests are from, Australian Christmas being a true drinking fest, while European traditions rather focus on eating as much as you can. Everyone turned into a little elf and helped.

Even our Moroccans Youness and Kamal, who doubted the whole thing at first, got into the spirit once they saw the beautiful decorations. The real highlight was that evening though, it really felt like Christmas season with all the lights blinking and twinkling. We ate cookies, drank hot chocolate with rum, and watched our favorite Christmas movies. It felt like a big family.

Now it is two more days until Christmas Eve. Our Christmas tree will be delivered Sunday. So yes, there is Christmas in Morocco, and I can proudly say that Surf Camp Taghazout is prepared for our favorite holiday. It will be a mingling of traditions from all over the world. Most certainly, there will be a party.

Now we only have to see who brings the presents – Santa or Christ Child. Merry Christmas!