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| Blue Mountain Christmas Lights |
Are you taking the time to enjoy the holidays or are you on auto-pilot and putting decorations out or baking just because it's what you have always done.
Do you sometimes find yourself in January with the disappointment that the holidays got away from you and you didn't enjoy them as much as you could have? I certainly have some years.
By being mindful and taking the time to reflect and plan, we can ensure that this Christmas is a memorable one.
What are your favourite holiday traditions? Who do you love to spend time with?
Take a moment to reflect on your favourite Christmas memories.
When you take your Christmas decorations out, what are your favourites that bring a smile to your face when you see them? Do you have decorations that you would rather donate than keep? Sometimes when we have less, we appreciate our favourites more.
What is your favourite ornament? Do you put it in a prominent place on your Christmas tree?
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| Favourite Ornaments |
Some people love the tradition of preparing and enjoying special meals and treats. Do you like the tradition of making and enjoying the same foods year after year? This year, consider getting a new recipe from a Christmas-themed magazine or from a friend.
If you love Christmas music or movies, are they the same every year or do you add new ones?
Introducing new favourites to our traditional favourites can make this Christmas more memorable.
There are many Christmas events in the GTA. Do you prefer to return to the same event like the Distillary Christmas Market or the Nutcracker every year? Or do you like to experience new events?
Most towns and cities have special Christmas events like:
- Toronto Christmas Market - Distillery District
- A Nutcracker Christmas At The Castle - Casa Loma
- Evergreen's Winter Village - Evergreen Brick Works
- Toronto Aurora Winter Festival - Ontario Place
- Holiday Fair in the Square - Nathan Phillips Square
- Terra Lumina at the Toronto Zoo
- Christmas Glow at Toronto Congress Centre in Etobicoke
- Winter Festival of Lights - Niagara Falls
- Blumination Dream Trail at Blue Mountain
- Santafest at Santa's Village in Bracebridge
- Gift of Lights - Bingemans in Kitchener
- Festival of Lights - Kapuskasing (my hometown)
- Alight at Night Festival - Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg
- Winterfest - Canada's Wonderland
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| Dream Trail at Blue Mountain |
Sometimes even finding a beautifully lit street is worth the drive or walk in the evening. Inglewood Drive in Toronto is lined with giant-sized inflatable Santas every year.
When we recognize what we love, we can create more of these types of memories.
For those who love markets, return to a favourite or experience a new one. If you love music, find new Christmas songs to love.
What brings a smile to your face during the holidays?
Imagine that it's January 1st. What do you hope to have experienced over the holidays?
Revive55 Challenge:
It's the last Christmas of the decade, make it a special one!!
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I wrote this post yesterday knowing I would be out most of today at a Positivi-Tea event with Brenda Jasmin and Tea with Tracie.
If you're in the Oakville area, I highly recommend their events. One of my friends at the event also told me that the Burlington Lakeside Festival of Lights is beautiful!
I want to share my favourite takeaways from this event as an addition to my post.
The theme of the event was "Infusing Positivity Into Your Holiday".
We discussed many aspects of the holiday season and what is meaningful to each one of us. Just like I mentioned to find the traditions that are meaningful to us, Brenda asked us to list activities that were sources of depletion or repletion. It wasn't only what do we love or not love, but what drains or adds energy to our holiday.
My favourite takeaway from the event is:
Instead of being stressed and noticing what is missing or not perfect, look for what you love and what you did accomplish.
Brenda shared this in the context of being an optimalist rather than a perfectionist. An optimalist is a healthy high-functioning perfectionist. An optimalist still has high standards but the vision is closer to reality. You look in the direction of where you're going rather than the perfect destination.
I love that.
I will also add that instead of thriving for the "perfect" Christmas or holiday season; prioritize and focus on what matters most to you.
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| Santas on Inglewood Drive |
When we recognize what we love, we can create more of these types of memories.
For those who love markets, return to a favourite or experience a new one. If you love music, find new Christmas songs to love.
What brings a smile to your face during the holidays?
- The scent of our Christmas tree brings a smile to my face every time I enter the house or room. To have that feeling before we get our tree, I purchased a pine and balsam scented candle.
- I love tourtière and shortbread at Christmas time. I used to make peppermint patties but haven't in years. It may be time to revive this tradition or find a new recipe. I just re-read this blog post from 2011 where I wrote about my favourite Christmas foods and traditions. It's definitely a good reminder to keep the traditions I love.
- Is there a Christmas movie you haven't seen that can be added to your Christmas tradition? I had never seen Elf until I visited my brother-in-law in DC for Thanksgiving less than 10 years ago. It is now one of my favourites. Click here for a list of Christmas movies for inspiration.
- What are your favourite Christmas songs? Did you have a favourite album growing up? Create a playlist of your favourite songs.
Imagine that it's January 1st. What do you hope to have experienced over the holidays?
Revive55 Challenge:
- Make a list and check it twice ;-)
- Ask friends and family or Google for new ideas
- Add events in your calendar
- Enjoy the holidays
- Take photos and videos
- Journal memorable stories
- Share the photos, videos and stories!!
It's the last Christmas of the decade, make it a special one!!
*********************************************************************************
I wrote this post yesterday knowing I would be out most of today at a Positivi-Tea event with Brenda Jasmin and Tea with Tracie.
If you're in the Oakville area, I highly recommend their events. One of my friends at the event also told me that the Burlington Lakeside Festival of Lights is beautiful!
I want to share my favourite takeaways from this event as an addition to my post.
The theme of the event was "Infusing Positivity Into Your Holiday".
We discussed many aspects of the holiday season and what is meaningful to each one of us. Just like I mentioned to find the traditions that are meaningful to us, Brenda asked us to list activities that were sources of depletion or repletion. It wasn't only what do we love or not love, but what drains or adds energy to our holiday.
My favourite takeaway from the event is:
Look for the Good.
Instead of being stressed and noticing what is missing or not perfect, look for what you love and what you did accomplish.
Brenda shared this in the context of being an optimalist rather than a perfectionist. An optimalist is a healthy high-functioning perfectionist. An optimalist still has high standards but the vision is closer to reality. You look in the direction of where you're going rather than the perfect destination.
I love that.
I will also add that instead of thriving for the "perfect" Christmas or holiday season; prioritize and focus on what matters most to you.
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