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Christmas

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The most wonderful time of the year! There truly is something magical about the Christmas season. There are so many events to attend and things to do in preparation for the big day.  It can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and the bustle then all of a sudden be overcome with a mental crash so we like to keep this guide handy throughout the month to help break things up and stay organized. There are a lot of traditions that come with the season and keeping your own personalized notes can help you from forgetting the important details that help bring the familiar enchanment for yourself and the 0nes you love. ​

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We keep one list for all things Christmas while noting that there are things to be categorized into early prep, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day.


December 24th marks Christmas Eve. Some are already celebrating with family events, some keep it more casual at home waiting and preparing for Santa to arrive, some are joining a church service.  Churches often hold evening or late night services because it is believed that the birth of Jesus took place at night.  Nativity is preached and depicted by an artistic scene or play to remind everyone of the reason for the season. Matthew 1:18-2:23 and Luke 1:26-2:40 tell the story of the birth of Christ bringing light and hope into our world.​  ​​If you are preparing for Santa Claus to arrive or for a family function, you may be spending your evening baking cookies, getting food ready for the next day, last minute gift wrapping, or cleaning the house if you are hosting. Remember to take a moment to relax and soak in the holiday cheer by having a casual night of appetizers and your favourite holiday beverage with Christmas movies or music in the background. If you have kids and/or travel ahead of you the next day, try your best to get some rest - Christmas is just one of those days that seems to be so long while also going by way too quickly after a lengthy few weeks of preparation and anticipation.​

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Thee Christmas Day, December 25th, is typically spent with the ones you love most, opening gifts and feasting on delicious food. If you have kids, you are most likely to have a slow morning opening gifts before heading off to visit other family members. If you have multiple people to visit, try to work out a system that is fair for everybody. If you are hosting, try to be considerate of others. It is hard for couples with children, especially split families, to please everybody and be everywhere while still enjoying the holiday. So if they cannot make it or can only attend for a quick pop-in every year on one specific day, it may be time to pick another date or to lower your expectations.

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December 26th, Boxing Day, originally meant as a day for donating to those in need, has turned more into a day of packing away the mess and a day (or week) of after Christmas sales. Because a lot of people are still enjoying holiday gatherings, you may choose to "box away" Christmas decorations any day you'd like. Some like to have everything cleared before and some like to enjoy it all until the New Year arrives. Try to keep in mind the oringial reason this day was named throughout the entire season - if you are able to donate things you already own after receiving new for the holiays, great! It is also always appreciated to donate ahead so others can enjoy the magic with everybody else on Christmas Day.

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However you celebrate, keeping your faith and loved ones in the forefront of your mind can help keep the inevitable stress of the holidays at bay. Merry Christmas to all!

Traditional Ways of Celebrating & What Inspires Us:

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THEME​​​

  • Nativity

  • North Pole: Santa Claus, Gifts, Elves, Reindeer

  • Sweet: Candy Canes, Ginerbread

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BEAUTY & FASHION

  • Christmas colours and patterns - red, green, white, silver, gold, plaid, sparkles, velvet, or themed graphics / "ugly" sweaters, themed accessories, Santa hats

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DÉCOR

  • What do you have in storage?

  • Do you need anything new to compliment your theme?

  • If hosting, create a space to take photos

  • Christmas Tree

  • Outdoor lights

  • Boxing Day - Pack away all Santa themed and tree decorations (we leave our tree up with just lights and a star until New Year's Day)

  • To each their own, but there is an offical Take Down Your Christmas Tree Day - January 6th - marking the end of the 12 days of Christmas

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ENTERTAINMENT​

  • There are endless Christmas movies! Pick your favourites to watch throughout the season. Classics include: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, Home Alone, How The Grinch Stole Christmas.

  • Watch a Chrsitmas special from your favourite show

  • Any version of a "Yule Log" if you don't have a fireplace to create a cozy atmosphere while opening gifts

  • Listen to your favourite Christmas playlist - personally, I like to keep two separate playlists for Christmas Eve and Day.  Christmas Eve includes more songs about Santa Claus - getting us ready for the big guy to arrive that night. Christmas Day includes more faith-filled songs reminding us why we celebrate.

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FLOWERS

  • Christmas colours - white, red, yellow or green filled with evergreen, pinecones and berries

  • Popular Christmas flowers include: poinsettia, amaryllis, lilies, roses, Christmas cactus

  • Please remember that not all flowers are pet friendly, such as: poinsettia, amaryllis and liles.

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FOOD & DRINK​

  • For Christmas Eve, we enjoy a simple night of appetizers before the big day feast - we like to mix it up each year but some of our favourites include: a charcuterie board, sausage rolls. pizza rolls. cheese ball or dips with crackers or chips. mozza sticks, jalapeno poppers. spring rolls, pigs in a blanket, veg & fruit trays, meatballs.  If you are hosting or bringing a dish for the big day, start whatever prep you can. And don't forget milk, cookies and carrots for Santa and his reindeer.

  • For Christmas Day, start the day with your favourite fruits and an easy breakfast casserole. Then onto the main meal later in the day - a classic roast (turkey, ham, beef) with your favourite versions of all the sides: potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, casseroles, dinner bread, gravy. Top it all off with a classic dessert like pie or cheesecake.

  • Enjoy your favourite Christmas baked goods throughout the season.  We like shortbread, gingerbread or sugar cookies, date squares, Rice Krispie sqaures, truffles. 

  • Sip on your favourite holiday beverages: hot cocoa, festive punch, mimosas, eggnog, wine, champagne, regular or special coffee, cider

  • Because there is never enough sugar during the holidays, we keep a small dish of our favourite chocolates and sweet treats throughout the season. Some of our favourites include orange chocolate, mint chocolate, M&Ms, candy canes, Hershey Kisses.

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FUN

  • Host or attend a Christmas party

  • Get outside to enjoy some fresh air - go for a walk, skating, tobogganing, build a snowman or fort, make snowangels, have a bonfire

  • Stay in and make a gingerbread house, bake cookies for Santa, watch Christmas movies

  • There are always so many local holiday events happening no matter where you live in the weeks leading to Christmas.  Go to or participate in a local parade or festival, visit Santa Claus for photos with the kids, go for a drive to see the beautiful lights.

  • Research the many organizations that help people who are in need of a Merry Christmas and consider donating your time or money if you are able.

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GIFTS & GREETINGS

  • Prior to December: take family photos for Christmas cards and order cards (if you do custom prints), start your shopping list for gift ideas

  • Beginning of December: mail / deliver cards, start shopping if you haven't already

  • While gift giving is viewed as a major part of this holiday, remember you do not have to spend all of your money. Think of what you can create with your talents - whether that is crafting, baking, or whatever. There are many thoughtful gift ideas out there that don't cost a fortune. 

  • On the other hand, if you have kids, you of course feel the pressure and want the very best for them. Go for one "big" gift and try to not go too crazy with everything else.

  • Don't forget stocking stuffers! They can be easily filled with chocolates, socks, beauty products, small tools & games, etc.

  • If you feel like you are a terrible gift-giver, just remember it's the thought that counts. Think of what reminds you of that person or even something practical that they use everyday. Their favourite beverage of choice or sweet treat, a nice pair of socks, scratch tickets, gift cards, etc. We suggest avoiding Christmas themed gifts (unless you absolutely know they will love it); a person only wants so many holiday themed mugs tucked away to collect dust throughout the year.​​

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PARTY TIME

  • Attending?

    • Get yourself ready (hair, nails, makeup, outfit)

    • Host gift (see gifts & greetings)

    • Pack your own beverage

    • Potluck? Prepare and pack your contribution

    • Take photos

  • Hosting?

    • Guest list & invites

    • Clean house

    • Yard maintenance

    • Theme décor

    • Get yourself ready (hair, nails, makeup, outfit)

    • Prepare menu

    • Entertainment (music, games…)

    • Display previous years’ photos and take more to add

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PHOTOS

  • Take photos of yourself and those you are celebrating with

  • Look back on past years with an organized slideshow or photo album

  • Use theme inspired props like: tinsel, Santa hats, Christmas lights, mistletoe 

  • If you do personalized Christmas cards, keep a copy for yourself each year and bind them together with a ring or string them into a banner to look back at your growing family

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QUOTES

  • "Merry Christmas!"

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TRADITIONS​

  • Milk, cookies & carrots for Santa and his reindeer

  • Caroling 

  • Monetary or food bank donation

  • Annual tree ornament

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KIDS & CLASSROOM FUN

  • Christmas themed art

  • Read books and listen to books about Christmas

  • Discuss the meaning of Christmas​​​​​​​​​

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WORKPLACE FUN

  • Decorate

  • Bring special treats for everybody to enjoy

  • Early in the month (or sooner) plan a Christmas party, luncheon or secret Santa

  • If you are the employer, do not forget a Christmas bonus for your staff!

  • Create a float for your local parade​

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