by Sanjay, age 9, asks how much families spend on Christmas Day, about Mount Everest, and Kathmandu’s heritage sites
Dear Santa,
Namaste from Kathmandu. My name is Sanjay and I am 9 years old. My family is one of a smaller number in our country that celebrates Christmas, and this year my father joked, only half joking, that between the tree, the food, and gifts for all four of us, the whole thing adds up faster than he expects every single year.
My first question is: how much does an average family typically spend for Christmas Day altogether?
My second question is geography: what is the tallest mountain in the world, located on Nepal’s border?
My third question is from school: why is Kathmandu home to so many UNESCO World Heritage Sites?
I left you momos, little dumplings, and a small cup of masala tea.
Love, Sanjay, age 9, Kathmandu, Nepal
From the Desk of Father Christmas
Dear Sanjay, momos and masala tea made for a delicious, spicy stop, thank you very much. Now, let me help your father with his yearly math, and answer your other questions.
How much does an average family spend for Christmas Day?
The total varies enormously depending on the country, family size, and personal choices, so there is no single number that applies everywhere. Costs typically include gifts, food for a special meal, decorations, and sometimes travel to visit relatives, and families in different countries budget for these very differently based on local prices and traditions. What tends to be true almost everywhere, though, is that costs add up more quickly than expected once every small item is counted together, which is exactly the joke your father is making, and one shared by parents in nearly every country I visit.
What is the tallest mountain in the world?
Mount Everest, standing about 8,849 metres tall, sits right on the border between Nepal and Tibet, the tallest mountain on Earth above sea level, drawing climbers from every corner of the globe.
Why is Kathmandu home to so many UNESCO sites?
Kathmandu Valley contains seven separate UNESCO World Heritage Sites within a fairly small area, including ancient temples, palaces, and stupas, reflecting more than a thousand years of rich religious and artistic history shaped by Hindu and Buddhist traditions existing closely side by side.
Tell your father the math evens out with enough love involved, and I shall see you very soon.
Ho ho ho, Santa
