Happy New Year to one and all!
As I am writing this column a few days before Christmas, I can’t actually report on any of the goings-on for the past few weeks, but it was suggested that I share my family’s traditions during the holiday season.
For me, the real magic is Christmas Eve. For as long as I can remember, it has been my very favourite day of the year. One of my personal long-standing traditions is to watch the old classic “Miracle on 34th Street” on Christmas Eve day. That evening, we go to Christmas Eve service at the United Church (either in Quyon or Beechgrove – this year it was in Beechgrove). It is always a special service that ends with the congregation singing “Silent Night” by candlelight accompanied by Rolly Bernier on guitar. I get goosebumps just thinking about how special that moment is.

For most of my life, Christmas Eve also meant one of my favourite parties of the year, as members of my dad’s side of the family always celebrated together with drinks, food, and music long into the night. The evening would not be complete without at least one – or twelve – renditions of The Coconut Song, led by my Uncle Garry. Just when you’d think it was over, he’d cry, “One more time!” and off we’d go again. As the Christmas traditions have been passed on to the next generation, this gathering of family and friends has now been taken up by my cousin Kayla and her husband Ben, and it is now held on the 23rd. This year it will have been exciting to introduce their little guy, Raymie, to The Coconut Song!
On Christmas Eve, we gather at my mom’s after church for snacks and games, and a reading of T’was the Night Before Christmas. I had a hard time adjusting to this new Christmas Eve tradition at first, but I now look forward to it. My sister and her family spend the night at my mother’s, and we all wake up under the same roof on Christmas morning. I’m still usually the first one awake, and wait for the kids to join me. Caden, Danica, and I sit on the couch and admire the presents beneath the tree for a while, before the mayhem hits. Our traditional breakfast of sticky buns, opening stockings and gifts – it always amazes me how quickly the morning flies by.
In recent years, we have been welcomed to join my brother-in-law’s family Christmas dinner later in the day at Donna and Eric’s, and we so enjoy our meal and visit with the Provosts’. Our family dinner is usually held on Boxing Day, and we also usually have a dinner at some point with my mom’s side of the family as well. I never tire of the delicious meals and spending time with loved ones!
My plans for New Year’s Eve seem to change from year to year, but one thing is for certain – we always have a birthday to celebrate, as my sister Kara was born on New Year’s Eve. Hearing the story of how my mom had to drag my dad away from the New Year’s Eve party that year and how he made it back before midnight with cigars for all, is also a bit of a tradition, always bringing smiles and laughter!
However you spend the holidays and no matter what your traditions are, I hope each and every one had a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year!