Preparing for the Holidays, but NOT Yet

Canadian Thanksgiving has come and gone. Halloween has come and gone. Remembrance Day has come and gone. And Christmas is next! I typically wait until December 1 to whip out the Christmas decorations. Outdoor lights I’ll put up when we’ve got a nice day to do it. If only I was on the ball last week during the heatwave (but we were busy paddle boarding on Lake Huron). Now, anyone that has been to my house in and around Christmas, knows I’ll have lots of decorations up. But let me tell you they are a bitch to clean around. I don’t want to have to take them all down to dust every once and awhile. Hence why I wait till December, as I will clean fewer times while the decor is up. You know when you’ve got the garland draped just right? Ain’t nobody want to touch that until she is ready to take down.

Last year I finally broke and got a fake tree...Freddy doesn’t have enough room on the roof of his car to bring TWO trees home from Smalley’s Tree Farm. We always had a real tree growing up. I loved the smell of it and the tradition of going to a tree farm to pick it out and bringing it home. And of course the hot cocoa as well. It was my first Christmas in my new home last year as a single girl and I don’t know how I would have made a real tree possible...so I opted for a fake one. Canadian Tire usually has some great deals if you’re looking ;) 

Food and booze. Let’s be serious; this is my main priority when it comes to preparing for the holidays. No matter what time of year, whether it’s a planned gathering or someone decides to stop by my house I am always prepared to host with a few beverage and snack options. Holidays just means an excuse to have even MORE of these options around. Ouuu I love me some good cheese! Nuts and some sort of chocolate mixture, since these keep so well (and hide well). And some fresh homemade baked goods… my mouth is watering just talking about it.

Here’s my list of things to have on hand if you're the hosting type:

• Crackers...got to put your cheese on something. 

• Cheese: my go-tos include brie, asiago, smoked applewood

• Hot chocolate mix/coffee/tea - something you likely already have

• Bailey’s! Or your choice of cream liquor (or make your own!)

• Peanuts and M n’ Ms 

• Eggnog...and don’t forget the rum

• ‘Holiday’ scented candle or diffuser

• Baking supplies :)

• Cranberry Spice Cider from Shaleridge...it’s like people say “Christmas in a Glass”

• Cream cheese - you can always whip up a quick dip with this on hand

• Something to wrap your last minute gifts in...don’t ruin the surprise by giving it to someone in the bag from the store you bought it at. (Amy prefers to hoard newspaper this time of year and wrap her gifts in it- cheap or handy? She don’t care)

Christmas Shopping...it’s low on the totem pole, because well I don’t have to do much of it. I’ve got one sister, one set of parents, no kids and no significant other. But I do love giving, and making things for friends and families. Sorry not sorry if you keep getting random ‘shit’ from me like homemade eye pillows, pot holders, scrunchies and yoga mat bags. But if you aren’t making your own gifts, I really encourage you to shop local. Now more than ever with a global pandemic, small businesses need our support. Many things you find at big box stores you can find at a local store somewhere. 

Now when you get to my age (30 tomorrow! Although I do appreciate being asked if I’m 22) and your parents are about twice your age, but not quite. (See what I did there mom?!) They don’t need ANYMORE SHIT. You buy dad a new sweater and it sits on his dresser for the next year and half. You buy mom some kind of self care package, but it will collect dust somewhere in a closet along with the self care packages from the last five years. So I’ve come to realize that the not-so-tangible gifts work best. Like when we took a road trip with mom to Manitoulin Island. It wasn’t a tangible thing, but we created memories that will last a lifetime. But one tip...maybe try to stick to your plan when giving these kinds of gifts. We were supposed to take Mom to Halifax this year...but I’m blaming COVID. 

Speaking of the pandemic, this may continue to create more obstacles for us this year and it will affect some traditions we have been holding onto for many years. Let’s not let this get us down and ruin our Christmas spirit. Remember what Christmas is all about, be thankful and spend time with family, even if that means a 4 hour Zoom call.

This is what preparing for the holidays looks like with the Wilson’s. Take it for what it’s worth and let’s make the best of this season regardless of what is going on in the world. 

-Kate