'Twas the week before Christmas'

Commentary by Emily Plihal

This Christmas, please remember how fortunate you are as you sit with your family by the Christmas tree. Christmas season is aesthetically a very beautiful season, but it is also meant to be a warm, caring holiday to spend time with family and friends. As of late, the day has become a little superficial with the focus being on opening presents and catering to loved ones wants. But what is truly important is spending those 24 (usually work-free) hours with those who mean the most to us. I remember when I was young, my father pretending to be Santa Claus in a big booming voice as he hollered down the stairs to wake my sisters and I from our slumber. The morning was always designated to opening presents and sitting around the house as a family. Today, I do not remember the presents I received, because in the whole scheme of things, they meant very little. The true presents on those wintery mornings were my two sisters and my parents. Our family activities were the foundation for the pride I feel when I think about my beautiful sisters and parents (now this has extended to step-family too). Take a little time this Christmas to enjoy the simple things in your life. Spend time making a snowman with your children, cook the Christmas supper as a family, or volunteer at a homeless shelter by helping out with their Christmas meal. One of my personal favourites in terms of holiday activities is snowshoeing through the beautiful outdoors. There is something extraordinarily fun about trudging through deep snow on a cool December afternoon. There are also a few outdoor rinks to skate on for the holidays. Take some time to visit these places with your children over the Christmas holidays. I can guarantee their favourite memory when they grow up is spending time with their family. Remember how fortunate we are in current situations in Canada. The average number of homeless people per capita is much lower than other countries. We have social assistance programs to help those less fortunate, and we are able to dream and reach our goals with hard work and perseverance. Christmas is financially and emotionally a highly stressful season. There are some cost-saving ideas though to make the holiday less stressful, allowing us to spend more time concentrating on what is truly important. 1. Set price limits on gifts you are buying for individuals. This can include doing a Chinese gift exchange with the adults in your family. 2. Check out the stores pre-Christmas sales. Many stores have special discounts just before Christmas as they all compete for our business. 3. Save on Christmas cards. Have your children make the cards from home, or look at bargain stores to seek an inexpensive alternative. Many people have Internet, why not send them an e-card for free? Another alternative can be writing a letter about how your family has been progressing over the year. Long distance family members will be excited to see pictures of your family, and hear all the amazing feats they’ve accomplished over the year. Most importantly, please do not drink and drive this Christmas season. ‘Tis the season to celebrate with Christmas cheer. Please be responsible if you choose to drink liquor by having a designated driver, or take a taxi. Take a little time this holiday season to remember all of the wonderful things going on in your life. Have a beautiful, safe Christmas.