A COUNTDOWN TO A CANADIAN CHRISTMAS- 5 WEEKS TO GO

An early cold snap and snow storm delayed some Christmas activities this week for people in the GTA. Taking 2-3 hours to get home, few wanted to venture out again to shop. Outdoor Christmas lights are starting to spring up on many houses. Mine are ready in the hallway with some thinking and planning of where to hang them outside. Usually around a few bushes and my Oak tree. Some strings from tree to tree which makes more of an impression. Items are being organized for the local food bank. Local newspapers scrutinized for church bazaars and craft sales to support local efforts. Many churches have food hampers and gift baskets for local families that need assistance at Christmas time. Two local Santa Claus parades will happen. The Saturday night one in Aurora and the afternoon one in Richmond Hill. Toronto already had their big parade last week. It used to be called the Eatons Santa Claus parade but when that huge Canadian icon of a store closed, the parade became sponsored by other corporations and just is called The Toronto Santa Claus parade. Our local one is small scale compared to it but Santa still arrives. Local bands and social groups participate so there is the spirit of the community. Across the country there are many towns and cities hosting their own parades. So in my household, the 3 parcels to family out west with gifts wrapped inside are ready to be sent out next week. My Christmas newsletter is composed and will be put in the Christmas cards. Next week I will begin to write and address them. My system- start with the International ones, then the United States ones then ones to family in other provinces and last the family members close to home. A few hand delivered. Oh I know there are those people that send an email. Yes I print them up and put with my cards but an annual card is not really a big deal to send to family and friends. Of course keep a good list. One year I sent two cards to one cousin! Guess I just was thinking of him too much! I have organized the planning with my daughters- what events, what babysitting to occur so those items will be reflected in future posts. Sorting the gifts bought already will occur this weekend. With little kids visiting my house and getting into every closet, it is harder to leave things unwrapped or just in store bags. My children told me when they were adults of course that as children they became very good at removing the tape to peek inside wrapped gifts- hum!! One of my daughters has already taken the Santa picture which is on my fridge. The year my mother-in-law passed away I took my adult children so we could have a picture with Santa. I wanted to do something whimsical that year. It's a cute picture with the 3 of us. So if you are going through a tough year, find some magical moments in Christmas to give a perk. Some Christmases I try to have a unique little theme to give to others. The one before the 2010 Olympics, I did an Olympic one with my hand knit red hats and the Hudson Bay mitts and Olympic glassware. Perhaps this year will bring a special item to several family members. But you must wait until Christmas Day to find out! Of course, Adolph starts to lament as I look for every cheesy Christmas movie I can find on TV to watch.  I do have a good collection of adult and children's Christmas movies. The Little Drummer Boy is a good film to give a simple version of the Christmas story to little children. Baby Jesus is the reason for the season. So finding ways to keep that in perspective too!