We’ve often been given the metaphor of making our way down a road or path as a comparison to going though life. I agree that in many ways, there are similarities, for example the final destination is unknown, but we have a map, general knowledge of points of interests along the way, and we have…
I have had the chance to do a great deal of reflection over the last 24 days on the significance of Christmas in our lives today. As I researched and worked on this daily Advent Calendar blog it brought me closer to understanding the true meaning of Christmas, and I believe it is about learning…
Any event, whether positive or negative, can have an impact on a person’s level of stress and can even temporarily deplete health and energy. While Christmas has long been a stress-inducing event, it has taken a back seat lately to other factors that have become big stressors of modern times. Time will generally allow for…
Good day, good health, the sun shines upon us! Indeed today is a day of celebration for those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere. While December 21 may be the darkest day of the year in terms of hours of daylight available to us, this day being the winter solstice marks the beginning…
I am not exactly sure when I started noticing reindeer as a Christmas symbol, beyond just the figure pulling Santa’s sleigh but my fascination with reindeer has grown over the last few years, and I have been compelled to dig deeper into its significance and symbolism not just as it relates to Christmas but also…
The sound of sleigh bells, church bells and chimes always evoke warm memories of Christmas and winter for me and whether they jingle, jangle or chime, their sound is distinctive and conjures up feelings of peace and joy within . Long ago, as early as the Middle Ages, bells were part of everyday life and…
As a French-Canadian, I grew up with a slightly different version of the Christmas traditions I have been writing about in this Advent Blog. Nowadays, people recognize the importance of preserving cultural heritage in a fast changing and modernized society and that means, passing down customs, practices and values of our community to the next…
There are few things that can trigger memories the way certain tastes and aromas can, and in an instant transport us to events and places that have a strong connection to an emotion.The taste, smell, and even texture of food can be extraordinarily evocative, bringing back memories not just of eating food itself but also…
How many of us have wondered about the lyrics to the classic carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas” while we sing the merry tune? Have you been asking yourself when it is that these 12 days actually take place, and why such an odd number of days and since we are on the subject, what…
A recent study commissioned by the retail industry revealed that 64% of respondents said they had a traditional gift that they received every year. Many of these recurring gifts were practical ones, such as sweets, gift card/money, books, self-care items and pyjamas. When you are a kid, traditional gifts are appreciated but to be sure…
A few years back, we were introduced to the amaryllis flower by a friend who gifted a growing kit to us in the weeks leading up to Christmas. You have probably seen these kits in grocery and retail stores since they are often given as Christmas gifts or used as a holiday decoration. I like…
When did Christmas Markets become a thing? To my great delight, it seems that every town and city around me with a thriving hub of artisans, food producers, and hand made goods is opening up the public square to offer local populations a gratifying outdoor shopping experience this winter. The pandemic has made us more…
At this time of the year, we are reminded of how meaningful it is to be in the “spirit of giving”. Certainly, our minds turn to adequately expressing how much our loved ones matter in our lives. In our desire to express an intangible feeling, we sometimes feel helpless and resort to buying extravagant gifts…
Have you put up your Christmas tree yet? I usually get it up the first week of December but there have been years where we left it ’til very late. When you have children in the house the tree usually is decorated early but as empty nesters I remember a few years where we finally…
I have always enjoyed writing, and looking back, I recall how I would look forward to writing assignments in school, even more demanding essays and papers during University. I usually was the first to volunteer to coordinate the production of newsletters for the social groups I belonged to and when those weren’t available, then I…
