Although it might not look like Christmas outside, with a visible lacking of snow and temperatures regularly above the freezing mark this year, a long list of community events and concerts proves that it is in fact time to get festive.
Personally, I do find it hard to get in the Christmas spirit when the weather outside is less than frightful. Although I don’t mind the dry roads and clear driving conditions we’ve experienced so far this winter, there’s just something about big fluffy snowflakes and blowing snow that makes a person feel like staying home in comfy clothes while getting some Christmas baking done, decorating the Christmas tree, or making holiday crafts with the kids.
Being in the midst of building a new house, our usual Christmas routine is certainly going to be on hiatus this year. Thankfully, we have indoor arenas where the ice doesn’t melt, so we can also still go skate with Santa, and we will take part in a host of other annual Christmas events around town.
And even without the usual snowy weather, the true meaning of Christmas never melts of fades. Already, stories of giving and doing nice things for others are starting to pop up, as Christmas nears.
I think I’ve felt an especially strong urge to donate to a number of causes this year. A friend recommended Samaritan’s Purse, and after scanning through their “gift catalogue,” I did in fact make a couple donations. Along the same lines, I also got my sons involved in putting together a shoebox filled with little gifts, also to be sent to a child in a far away country.
While scanning Pinterest one day, I came across some other unique causes, and although I wasn’t able to offer a lot of support, I did make a few more small donations to some of those causes.
A news story about the Bissell Centre in Edmonton issuing a plea for winter gear also caught my attention, and I made a small donation to that cause, in the hopes that if a few other people do the same, our efforts can add up.
I’ve seen some friends raising funds for family members who have decided they don’t want Christmas gifts this year, but rather donations made to causes in their name, which is also remarkable.
At this point, I only have a few more gifts to buy for those closest to me, and then I would like to refocus on helping local initiatives. We’ve already made our donations to the Santa’s Elves program, but they are still in need of more help, so the cause will likely make its way back onto my list if the need is still there. Food banks are also in need of extra help at this time of the year, and have seen demand for the programs surge given the current economic state.
The Knights of Columbus also anticipate an increase in the number of food hampers they will hand out, making for another worthy cause to support.
There are really countless causes to offer a helping hand to, near and far, and I would like to encourage anyone who is in the position to help out, to do so this Christmas. I know it’s helped me feel a little more festive this season.
