3 minute read
Reflections by Bonnie Hutchinson
Holiday preferences
In the past few days, I’ve been appreciating the amazing number of ways that friends and family members are celebrating this holiday season. Perhaps like you, I’m keenly aware of not having to accommodate lockdown measures, as we did in the past two years. Some are doing traditional things–precious time with family and friends, special holiday food, parties, gift exchanges, Christmas music both live and recorded.
Some friends are travelling to exotic locations and spending Christmas in the tropics. Some are going to a ski or golf resort.
A Jewish friend is celebrating Hanukkah (which this year begins December 18 and ends December 26) with traditional rituals of lighting the menorah and reading blessings each evening. Her family’s three-generation celebrations will include four menorahs. Much light indeed!
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Traditions change as families change. One friend is–for the first time in her life – not having Christmas day with her children and now grandchildren. Her family’s gathering was last weekend. She is delighted that all her children and grandchildren could be together, no matter what the day. She’s curious how Christmas morning is going to feel without children or grandchildren.
I know people who have lost family members during the past year. They feel the loss more keenly during this season. One family, whose husband/father/grandfather died during the past year, decided to change all the family’s Christmas customs. They are going to the mountains for a few days.
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Not everyone enjoys traditional ways of celebrating the holiday. One friend is “getting the family stuff out of the way on Christmas Eve.” Then she’s looking forward to several days alone with a stack of books and a fridge full of wonderful grazing food.
Another friend, who lives in New York and has no close family, is spending Christmas Day with a colleague. They intend to create a brand new revenue stream. She and her colleague think that will be much more fun than traditional Christmas activities!
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I am most treasuring time with my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. This year I get to connect with all of them–not all on the same day, but it doesn’t matter. I also intend to spend at least one entire day grazing on leftovers and reading fiction.
I’m remembering cherished moments from the past. I have fond memories of live Christmas trees too big for the space but nobody cared. I’m enjoying memories of sneaking around to keep gifts a secret, and memories of laughter and whimsy.
I’m even cherishing memories of 2 a.m. on a Christmas morning. I was wrapping gifts to be tucked under the Christmas tree before the kids woke up early on Christmas morning. Then I encountered the dreaded words, “Some assembly required.” (It’s funny now.)
Over the years, as families and circumstances have changed, I notice that I’ve changed too. There was a time when I couldn’t imagine not having a Christmas tree. I couldn’t imagine not exchanging Christmas gifts with every family member. I couldn’t imagine not spending Christmas Day with family.
Now I’ve had all three of those experiences and realize that rituals and traditions can mean whatever we want them to mean. What really matters is the essence of the tradition. We can create new ways to honour the intention of our traditions.
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My wish for you is that whatever your holiday beliefs and traditions are, and whatever form your holiday season takes, the next week intensifies the love, joy, generosity and gratitude in your life.
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I’d love to hear from you. If you have comments about this column or suggestions for future topics, send an email to Bonnie@BonnieHutchinson.com. I’ll happily reply within one business day. HOLIDAY SANTA
Murray Green, Camrose Booster
Porter Cave and his sister Lyra stopped at the Recreation Centre prior to the Kodiaks game to visit with Santa when he visited with the Holiday Truck.
CANE COUNTRY
Murray Green, Camrose Booster
Coldwell Banker Battle River Realty agents, from left, Angeline Rolf, Steven Falk, Magda Bates and Taylor Mitchell hang 600 candy canes and treat bags from trees and bushes. Children were encouraged to stop by and grab a bag of holiday treats.
