Happy Holidays From the Great White North

Every family has its holiday traditions. One of ours is to pile the kids into the SUV the night before Christmas Eve for a tour of the city and its holiday decorations. Hot chocolate is a requirement, as are blankets — even though it’s warm in the vehicle, something about being wrapped in blankets makes the drive a little more festive. Canadian weather doesn’t always cooperate. Some years have seen blizzards that push the four wheel drive sled to its limits while cutting visibility; this year was rather green, drizzly and dreary (so much for The Great White North). Methodology has changed tremendously, too. Many of the more popular displays are synchronized, computerized light and music shows (I still have a soft spot for the old school decorations that have clearly been collected over the course of decades). Instead of word of mouth or random exploration, there’s now an app that maps the holiday light hotspots. And, of course, my kids have grown. There’s a high school student riding along with us now — when did that happen?

But once again, everything came together and we made it out for our 2014 holiday drive. For nearly two hours there was no teen angst and no bickering twins, no video games and Nerf darts whistling past. Just family, hot drinks and a great light show.

No matter what traditions your family celebrates, here’s hoping this holiday season finds you healthy and happy.