C
Cam1234
Guest
What a wonderful post Pippin, you can almost feel the joy and spirit of holidays through your descriptions. Vancouver sounds like a beautiful place, and the year round moderate temperatures make it a very attractive location to land. However, when I looked into it, I noticed prices for homes and general living expenses are somewhat higher in Vancouver when compared to the Toronto region... and there may be fewer job opportunities for me there. Nevertheless, if my application is approved, I would definitely hope to visit there before my family decides where to settle.Pippin said:Thinking of Kathe's post, I wondered if anyone would like to share what they traditionally do at this time of year?? I'll start it.....
Tonight the Carol Ships are sailing in Vancouver Harbour. Many large and small boats are decorated with festive lights and make their way along the shoreline broadcasting carols. At major parks and beaches bonfires are lit and lots of people go down to drink hot chocolate and sing along with the music.
We used to attend the Christmas Eve service, but now we go to a friend's church before heading away to my parents home on a small island. During the year we carefully check out the growing trees and select one that looks like it will need topping in December. These trees are usually funny shaped and often require extra branches to be "surgically" added. As we go to bed, Christmas stockings are filled for the children AND adults to enjoy before breakfast, followed by the main presents and a light lunch. A brisk walk to work off the coming dinner is in order if there isn't too much snow. Around 5pm we all go to my brother's family for Turkey dinner with mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce and vegetables followed by trifle or Christmas Pudding and brandy sauce and my favourite dark Christmas cake and my Dad's Scottish shortbread. That's our Canadian Christmas. Blessings to all and wishes that everyone receives their Visas in 2011.
As for our Holiday plans, they are not very elaborate. My family is somewhat scattered around the world and Christmas is usually spent with my wife and two little children. Last year after the kids went to sleep my wife and I brought out the presents and placed them under the tree and I went over to the cookies and milk my daughter had placed for Santa and made it look like he had been there and had some... Well, the next morning when my children came down my daughter shouts out, "Mom, look here! Santa made a mess! Bad Boy!..." This year we are taking them Christmas Caroling, don't have much of a voice and I'm not sure I know all the songs, but I intend to give it plenty of effort.
On Christmas Eve, I will pray for everyone's Holiday Season to be filled with happiness; may all our wishes come true and our dreams of a new life in a new land become a reality.
Cam