Meridian Source - Season's Greetings 2022

Merry Christmas to all!

EDITOR Taylor Weaver

It’s hard to believe another year has come and gone, but all in all, I would say 2022 was a pretty great year.

One of my biggest take-

aways was the sense of normalcy felt throughout the Border City post-pandemic. It felt good to be able to once again gather as a group ... and it felt really good to be able to pose people for group photos!

It seemed like everyone was itching to get out of the house and enjoy

Lloyd’s usual summer activities, which was very apparent during the summer months with multiple events taking place each weekend.

Lloydminster also comes alive at Christmas time with events the entire community can enjoy.

If you weren’t able to

attend the 15th Annual Here Comes Santa Claus Day on Dec. 3, make sure to check out the 8th Annual Parade of Lights, taking place at the Lloyd Exhibition on Dec. 22 from 7-10 p.m. All proceeds from the parade will support local non-profit organizations.

The Christmas season is upon us

reflect on the past year, previous Christmases, and good and not-sogood gifts, to enjoy our time together and to create traditions.

Traditions are an integral part of Christmas for many. Children are great because they thrive on traditions and things that happen again and again.

These days, connecting looks a bit different than it may have in the past.

If you have children of any age, it is great to ask them what they remember most about Christmas.

The Christmas season is in full swing and the days are counting down until December 25.

For many families and friends, this will be a time to gather, share and eat.

It’s also a time for us to

Many questions surround the Christmas season. Fresh or frozen turkey, ham or turkey (why not both?), the discussions are sometimes fruitful and sometimes silly.

I encourage you to take every opportunity to connect with the ones you love.

Asking seniors about their best or hardest Christmas will open doors, and you may learn a lot more than you anticipated.

In my family, we always went to my grandparents for some of Christmas. One set of grandparents lived only a mile away, and the other set 18 miles away. I was blessed that way.

My wife grew up hundreds of miles from her

grandparents, so the community became her family.

Our children are grown and live far from here, so we never quite know what Christmas will look like. We try to make the most of every opportunity we’re together.

A holiday message from Lloydminster mayor Gerald Aalbers

Celebrate the holidays in your own special way

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In my family, we always went to my grandparents for some of Christmas. One set of grandparents lived only a mile away, and the other set 18 miles away. I was blessed that way.

My wife grew up hundreds of miles from her grandparents, so the community became her family.

Our children are grown and live far from here, so we never quite know what Christmas will look like. We try to make the most of every opportunity we’re together.

This past year, Lloydminster has welcomed many from different places around the world.

We welcome you to our city and hope that you have become connected.

We offer our prayers and sympathy for those who won’t have much for Christmas this year or who are grieving a loss.

Supporting charities and reaching out to those

in need is something that our community is known for.

I invite you to reflect on this past year’s accomplishments, struggles, and highs and lows.

If you’re going to be alone for Christmas, please reach out to a

friend, a distant relative or a neighbour and invite them to join you to celebrate.

My wife, Christine, and I wish you and yours a very blessed Christmas.

- Mayor Gerald S. Aalbers, City of Lloydminster

A message from MLA Colleen Young

Christmas tree.

Christmas brings to mind childhood memories of the much-anticipated arrival of Santa bringing candy and gifts.

The excitement of presents under the tree, the smell of my mom’s Christmas baking, eating lots of Christmas oranges, and my dad bringing home a

He would see the bottom flat then put it in a large bucket and pack sand and gravel around it, then pour lots of water in. I loved the smell of the real tree but was even more excited to help put on the lights and decorations. Many of our decorations were homemade and some were reused from year to year - looking somewhat tattered, but still showing the love from which they were made!

My older siblings always got to put on the shiny glass ones and I was jealous!

Now, most ornaments are made from plastic and I get to put them on the tree! Then there are the preparations for the traditional church Christmas concert and pageant.

My mom was very creative and talented and every year she could come up with a full, all-in-participation, family performance!

Our small rural church of St. Anthony’s parish had about a dozen families regularly attend every Sunday. The church was always packed, no matter the occasion. Our family of 13 used up two pews alone!

The concert went ahead no matter the weather;40 below or a full-on blizzard - it happened! Our family would pack in the car (no seatbelts then so

siblings sat on siblings!) food, costumes and all, and Dad would drive the 20 miles (no km back then, either) on the gravel country road to the little prairie church.

The finale was the children performing the nativity scene. The two boys who had to wear the donkey costume and bring Mary in, were always a mystery to me as a child, as it was the only critter in the scene where the costume covered the face! The concert always ended with the whole congregation singing Away in a Manger and Silent Night.

Now the best part! The arrival down the stairs of Santa and his big “Ho! Ho! Ho!” That sack was big and heavy! What excitement! CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

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Each child was called to sit on his knee, and given a small gift and a brown bag of candy while answering Santa’s questions. What I remember most was digging to the bottom of my brown paper bag for that sweet Christmas orange!

I even worked hard to trade some of my candy for more Christmas oranges from other kids! I think it’s hard to get those same sweet, juicy Christmas oranges of long ago! They are just not the same!

Whatever your Christmas memory is, I hope it fills you with fond and wonderful feelings of love, tears of joy, laughter for the fun you had and a heart full of gratitude and thankfulness

for those who gave you those memories.

Take the time to see old friends, lend a helping hand where needed, give someone a hug and smile who really could use it, spread lots of Merry Christmas cheer around your community, and make those wonderful memories with your family that last a lifetime!

From my family to yours I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year!

Colleen L. Young, MLA Lloydminster

A message from MP Rosemarie Falk

As the holidays draw near, it’s a very special time of the year filled with many traditions – some new and some handed down from generation to generation.

For many of us, it’s a cherished time to spend with family, friends and loved ones.

It’s also a time for charity and service to others. The yuletide carols, the glitzy decorations and the numerous festivities all around us are all merry reminders of the Christmas season.

For Christians around the world, a tradition that

has stood the test of time is the celebration of the very first Christmas.

Born in a manger in the town of Bethlehem, the birth of Christ Jesus is the hopeful start of our story of salvation. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

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The story of that first Christmas carries with it a powerful message of hope, peace, joy and love.

Whether you find yourself in joyous or difficult times this holiday season, I hope that message is a great gift to you. I also hope that you find comfort, warmth and happiness.

And as you take the

Season’s Gr tings

opportunity to look forward to the year ahead and reflect on the year past, may you feel gratitude and peace.

May you also enter the new year with a renewed purpose to cherish and make time for what is most important to you.

From my family to yours, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a blessed, prosperous New Year!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve this wonderful community!

Start a new holiday tradition this year

It’s that time of the year again: we pick out greeting cards, maybe take a family photo, and open up that box of unique decorations and ornaments.

Other favourite traditions may include putting lights on the house or a fresh tree, or perhaps a reusable one. And, of course, we make plans to visit friends and family to celebrate the holidays and see in the New Year.

This year, why not consider getting to know other traditions, or even creating a new tradition with your family or

friends? Here are a few idea starters!

Host a holiday dessert party – invite colleagues, friends or neighbours to a sweet potluck where they share and describe their favourite traditional desserts that all can enjoy with a cup of egg nog or mulled cider – and be ready to share the recipes digitally, too!

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Host a holiday story evening – guests bring a craft, ornament, decoration or photo if it’s too large to bring – and share its story. How did they acquire it, or why did they buy it, and what does it mean to them?

Create a new giving tradition – charity gift catalogues like World Vision Canada’s offer a unique opportunity for children to pick a family gift like goats or chickens, or to

gift a teacher or grandparent with a meaningful gift like school essentials, crop seeds for farmers, a scarf or jewellery – or a special angel ornament for the tree! Ask children, or help them, to write in the gift cards why they chose that specific gift.

This time of year is so special for so many reasons. Take time to learn the stories behind treats or traditions, and see the holiday season in a new light.

From our team to yours, thank you for your support during the past year. We value our opportunity to serve you and look forward to doing so in the future.

May you have a Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.

Holiday shopping hacks to spend less

When we’re in the holiday spirit, it can be tempting to overspend. But is it worth the financial stress? Here are tips to keep in mind during this wonderful time of year to help you spend wisely.

Have a plan for gift giving

If gift giving is important to you, make a budget and set a spending limit for each person on your “nice” list. Look out for sales to keep your costs down, just keep in mind how long the person will have to return it

if it is not right for them.

To lower expenses, you may also consider offering homemade gifts such as baked goods or handmade candles.

Making your own gifts makes them extra special and may also allow you to spend quality time with your family while preparing them.

Be careful with buy now, pay later offers

Many companies offer buy now, pay later plans, allowing you to purchase something without having to pay for it in full right away. CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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Accepting this type of payment plan may seem like a great deal, but before signing on the dotted line do some thinking.

Determine if you can afford the higher interest charges and applicable fees if you miss a payment or can’t pay off the balance by the due date. If you are already struggling with debt, making purchases this way could encourage you to spend beyond your means and make it hard to keep up with payments.

Debit vs. credit

It might be convenient to fund your holiday spending with your credit card, but between rising interest rates and the higher cost of living, managing your debt load in the new year may be a challenge.

Your 2023 January credit card bill may be extra expensive because of a class action settlement between Visa, Mastercard and merchants. Businesses now have the option of adding a surcharge of up to 2.4 per cent when you pay by credit card.

Are holiday cards still relevant? The short answer, yes!

It’s never been easier to communicate with your friends and family.

You can send them a text, shoot them an email or directly message them on social media.

But one seemingly old-fashioned way of keeping in touch has stood the test of time.

Despite the evolution of technology, holiday greeting cards appear to be here to stay.

In fact, not only have greeting cards remained popular, but they’re actu -

ally experiencing a comeback.

According to Narrative Research, more than half of Canadians sent a greeting card or a written letter using Canada Post in 2021.

In the U.S., the Greeting Card Association says sales of holiday-based cards have increased in recent years.

So, who is buying greeting cards?

Millennials have outpaced their baby boomer elders in buying greeting cards.

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Taking a moment to remember you as we reflect on another year. From our team to you, we wish you the best this holiday season! Here to help you find balance offering the following services: Speech & Language Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Pediatric Physiotherapy, Sports Psychology, Child, Adolescent & Adult Clinical Psychology Assessment & Interventions, Educational Psychology Assessment, Consultation & Interventions, Group Programming including Neurodiverse Special Interest Groups, Lego Social Skills, & Equine Assisted Learning, Safe & Sound Protocol, ABM Neuromovement, and Autism Diagnostic Assessments

5009 - 50th Street, Downtown Lloydminster | 780-870-7227 huntspsychologicalservices.com

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They’re looking for personal, high-quality cards that are often customizable, such as those offered on online marketplaces like Etsy and Minted, that also support independent artists.

What is it about physical greeting cards that have allowed them to remain so popular?

Isn’t it more of a hassle to buy a card, handwrite a message and send it via snail mail?

Interestingly, that’s actually part of the appeal.

The extra effort to select a card, write a greeting and mail an envelope with a stamp is more personal. And the more personal, the more special.

Simply put, mailing a card to a loved one just can’t be replicated with

an email.

Many charities also offer greeting cards to personalize donations that make a positive difference in the world, such as those delivered on behalf of World Vision Canada’s donors when they make a gift catalogue donation to others.

The extra personalized touch shows how much someone cares, just in time for the holidays.

Do some good deeds over the holidays

The holidays are typically a time to celebrate and enjoy. For some people, however, it can be a difficult period of the year to get through.

If you want to spread

the Christmas spirit in your community, here are a few simple actions you can take:

1. Donate money or non-perishable items to a food bank in your area

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One good deed deserves another

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2. Sort through old toys, clothes or books, and give them to someone in need

3. Help someone you know by offering to watch their kids or prepare a meal for them

4. Pay a visit to someone who lives alone

5. Volunteer to accompany people in your area on errands

6. Send greeting cards to the people who live at your local seniors’ residence

7. Show your appreciation for those who offer their services (a thankyou note for the postal worker, cookies for the

bus driver, etc.)

8. Participate in a gift-giving program in your community

9. Put your talents to good use (sing at a seniors’ residence, knit scarves for people at a shelter, etc.)

10. Support local artists and artisans by purchasing your Christmas gifts from them.

NYE traditions from around the world

People across the country bring in the new year in a variety of ways, from enjoying lavish, multicourse meals to watching the Times Square ball drop on TV and popping champagne at the stroke of midnight.

Here’s a look at how people in other countries observe New Year’s Eve.

BRAZIL- You won’t see extravagant costumes at this Brazilian celebration. Instead, people wear white to symbolize peace and prosperity for the year ahead.

DENMARK- Just before midnight, it’s tradi-

tion for Danes to stand on chairs. This is so they can jump off when the clock strikes 12 to symbolize leaping into the new year.

ESTONIA- Since seven is a lucky number, Estonians make sure to eat seven meals on New Year’s Eve.

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This is said to provide the strength of seven men for the year to come.

JAPAN- Across the country, bells are rung at Buddhist temples 108 times before midnight. This number symbolizes worldly desires, and the practice is intended to chase them away.

PHILIPPINESAmong Filipinos, circles are said to bring luck. In addition to wearing polka dot patterns, it’s tradition to eat 12 round fruits — one for each month — to attract good fortune.

SOUTH KOREA- In seaside towns across the

country, people gather on the beach to watch the first sunrise of the year. It’s said that if you make a wish at sunrise, it’ll come true.

SPAIN- In Spain, people ring in the new year by eating 12 grapes, one at each stroke of midnight. Doing so brings good luck and prosperity for the 365 days to come.

TURKEY- Fruit also makes an appearance at Turkish celebrations, where pomegranates are smashed on the ground in front of homes to welcome the new year. Cheers to a happy and healthy year

Support mental health over the holidays

Few things fill someone’s heart like the knowledge that someone cares about how they are feeling and doing.

But often our stress and anxiety intensify during the holiday season. Some Canadians have experienced loss that is magnified this time of year or come to this season exhausted or dreading the

busyness ahead.

During this time of often added pressure, how can we guard our own mental health, while looking out for others? Here are some suggestions.

Find the right support . 211 is the Government of Canada’s twenty-fourseven hotline that provides free access to a mental health professional.

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It can also connect you with resources in your community.

Confide in someone . Trust a friend, neighbour, coworker or family member with how you are doing.

Let them know you would welcome an invite for coffee or a chat on Zoom, on the phone, or in person.

Get your steps in. While exercise may be the last thing you feel like doing, just 15 minutes of aerobic exercise can have a profound effect on your mood.

Help others . Relating to others and providing a gift of mental health support, like for children struggling in conflict zones or after climate disasters, can help

us feel part of a larger world family and that we are making a purposeful difference.

The World Vision Gift Catalogue can provide children with access to safe spaces, psychosocial support and other resources to support their mental health.

Lean into gratitude . Even in the darkest times, we can find things and people to be thankful for.

As Canadians, we can pause to appreciate peace and the freedoms and opportunities we have.

Bringing loved ones and thanking them for kind gestures can improve mental health and well-being.

Find more information about the gift catalogue at worldvision.ca/give.

Dressing up your table

Christmas is the perfect time of year for spoiling ourselves and getting dressed up to the nines.

So how about giving the same royal treatment to an often neglected element of the dining room

— after all, what could be more welcoming than a beautifully dressed table?

First of all, a tablecloth is always preferable to placemats if you’re hosting a formal event.

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Create your perfect table setting

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A cloth has the advantage of covering the entire surface of the table, protecting it from any spills, which are inevitable during dinner parties.

Using a padded tablecloth underlay ensures extra protection and keeps the tablecloth in place.

A tablecloth should never reach the floor, as people might trip over it or set a chair leg on it.

It should fall at least 20 cm down each side of the table. It is also important to choose a cloth of the same shape as the table (round, oval, square, or rectangular).

Forget about floral pat -

terns if you want to create an elegant look. Choose a plain colour or an understated pattern instead.

White and cream are the classic choices, but if your dishes are in the same tones, show them off to advantage with a golden brown or silvery greytoned tablecloth.

One thing goes without saying: the tablecloth should be of good quality, made of fine cotton or linen.

As for table napkins, they should be both esthetic and practical. Ensure they are soft to the touch and big enough to stay put on your guests’ laps.

Keeping kids’ routines over the holidays

Over the holiday season, it’s all too easy for your children’s routine to get thrown off track.

Here are five tips to help you stick to a schedule and hopefully keep meltdowns to a minimum.

Prioritize sleep . Tired kids tend to get cranky, hyper and easily flustered. While a late night or two is almost inevitable at this time of year, overall, it’s best to maintain their regular sleep schedule. CONTINUED ON PAGE 28

How will you keep busy this Christmas?

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Eat healthy . Make sure the entire family gets a healthy breakfast and lunch every day.

Fill the kids up on fruits, vegetables and other healthy snacks before heading to a party.

This way, they’ll have less room to gorge on cookies, cakes and other treats.

Entertain at home — or don’t. Some parents find it easier to host during the holidays, while others can’t imagine planning a party.

Don’t be shy to let your loved ones know what works for your family.

Get exercise . Make sure your kids remain active over the holidays, and that they have sufficient time to run around.

Consider visiting an indoor playpark or indulging in some outdoor fun.

Make time for play . Avoid filling every free moment with a planned activity. Set aside time for playing at home and relaxing.

While sticking to a routine is beneficial for kids, doing so isn’t always feasible. Remember to be flexible and not worry too much if things don’t go as planned.

Decorate for Christmas with all of the kids

For many, Christmas is impossible to imagine without a wreath on the front door, strings of lights along the roof, and a tree in the living room.

Handcrafted decorations, made with the help of children, add to the festive atmosphere and bring back a bit of tradition to our consumer-oriented times.

A CHRISTMAS MOBILE

Ask the children to cut out different seasonal shapes from pieces of cardboard and then decorate them on both sides with drawings, glitter, or paint.

They could also cut out pictures from magazines or make photocopies of photographs.

Hang all these pictures around a ring made from fairly rigid metal wiring with the help of narrow ribbons cut in different lengths.

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The mobile can then be hung horizontally from a hook by three ribbons.

GIFT PLACE CARDS

Children can also make special place cards so that everyone will know where to sit at the table for Christmas dinner.

To do this, give them wrapping paper to cover small recycled boxes and their lids.

They can then write the name of each guest on a label to be attached to one end of a strip of ribbon, while the other end of the ribbon is attached to the decorated box. Place a small treat in each then place a name label on each plate with the boxes in the middle of the table.

Each guest must follow the ribbon to find his or her box.

FROSTED GARLANDS

Little ones love making snowflakes by cutting out different patterns from folded paper.

Link the snowflakes with green and red ribbons to create horizontal garlands for the top of a wall or for vertical garlands to be hung side by side in a window.

PERSONALIZED CARDS

With all the scrapbooking material available in the stores and the endless possibilities of computers and digital photographs, you can help your children create personalized Christmas cards that will delight their grandparents, teachers, and friends.

And remember, handmade decorations help everybody get in the mood for the holidays.