Remember this?

http://kirstenhealsworld.blogspot.com/2009/01/simplify-2009.html

Simplicity was my word for 2009. For the most part, I stuck to it. It was kind of strange having a theme word to the year. But it was good as it allowed me to stop and remember what my goal was.

My choice of word ended up being ironic. When Chris got laid off, we had no choice to simplify what we were doing. To determine what was important, what was not and go with less. Never without, just with less. It was a good lesson for not only ourselves, but for our children as well.

So as the year comes to a close, I have to say that I was happy with my word choice. Of course, not all those resolutions came true (there were disclaimers) but I am ending 2009 and this decade in a good place in life. And really, what is more important?

Happy New Year Everyone!

#1 Christmas Morning

The anticipation of Christmas morning is always a big build. For me, as we know, it starts months in advance.

Each year growing up, there were certain triggers that told us we were getting closer to Christmas. I think I have mentioned all of them in my top ten. I was always excited for Christmas morning, and this year was no different.

While I don't sleep well that night (same goes for this year), the morning is always worth it. This year the kids jumped into bed with me, and then the four of us headed downstairs to see if Santa showed up or not.

The look in the kids eyes said it all. Joy really.

I loved that they were sooooo excited about their gifts. Not just from Santa, but all the great things that they received from us, their grandparents, uncles and others.

It really was a great Christmas morning. Again.

#2 - The Giving Spirit

Throughout the year, there are a lot of things that make people sad. A lot of things that seem to make people mad. And a lot of people who just don't see the good anymore.

That is why I love Christmas time. For a lot of people, they stop and think. They remember how many good things there are, and what blessings they have in their lives.

I know so many people get caught up in the commercial part of Christmas. I do too. It's hard not to really. But when I am picking out things for people, I try really hard to make it something special. Sometimes I make it, sometimes I find it in July.

One of my favorite Christmas gifts came from my aunt and uncle a few years ago. It was a box full of used stuff. But special used stuff. You see, it was full of memories and objects from my Grandma. Notes from her past (including some Valentine's I send her years before), a Bugs Bunny doll, newspaper clippings, photos of my Mom as a youth, and more. It still holds a place in my bedroom.

The giving spirit is also needed for people we don't know. Recently there was a story in the news that a local Salvation Army kettle was stolen. It only had $200 in it, but it's been a tough year for collections. But the North Shore residents gathered and not only replaced it, but made it full. I thought of that today when I walked by a kettle, and made sure that I helped fill it too. You see, although it was a challenging year here too - we have everything and more to make us happy.

It is Christmas Eve, one of my favorite nights of the whole year. Because the spirit of giving is at it's strongest. So in all the hustle and bustle of the Christmas Rush, thank you for all that you have given me. It's one of the reasons I have so much Christmas Spirit 365 days a year.

#3 - Santa Claus

2009

Ahhhh, the magic of the big man in Red. I can quickly find the last three years of photos with Santa Claus, but trust me - I have them all to enjoy. Treasured photos.

I know some kids are scared of St Nick, but my Chrismtas spirit seems to have been a genetic gene that I passed along. From the first year in 2003 when I took my baby boy to see him, right through to the six year old with his 4 year old sister this year, they willingly hop onto his lap and provide their wish list.

2008

I remember visitng Santa as a child, the Park Royal one specifically. We visit the Capliano Mall, I mean he has magic apples and oranges each year that help the wishes come true.

What I like most is that he really is about the magic that twinkels in the kids eyes. Not really about what shows up under the tree, but about the "what if". About believing in stories. About believing that good things can happen. About wishes, and best of all, when wishes come true.

Of course, there will come a time that my children will find out about the truth - you know, the there is more to Santa than the stories. I clearly recall the one Christmas Eve that my baby cousin Alyssa was on the cusp of believing or not. I told her to write Santa a note and if he had the same writing as her Mom or Dad, then he wasn't real. But if he had different writing, then he was real for sure. She followed my directions, but I made sure that my Mom wrote the note back. Just to give her one more Christmas worth of Santa Claus.

I can't wait till it's Christmas Eve and the kids pick out what they want to leave for Kris Kringle and his reindeer. And hope that once again, he brings the magic to Christmas morning. I know the kids tried really hard to get on his good list.

2007

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#4 - Singing and Celebrating

Last Saturday evening, we had about 30 or so people drop by. It's an Annual Heal Tradition, our Christmast Party. I love our Christmas Party.



But of course, while this year was our 9th Annual, it by no means my 9th Christmas party (big surprise eh?). See celebrating Christmas with family is one thing, but it's just as important to celebrate with friends and neighbours. This is the history....

Dad is very muscial. In our living room is a baby grand and a church organ. It's not a large living room, but they are large pieces. They also played a large roll around Christmas time. I have no idea what year the Dye Sing A Long started, but I have to say it is the fondest of childhood memories.

Each year at Christmas we invited all the neighbours for the sing a long. Ruth Cres is a small cul de sac street with neighbours that knew each other. Dad played the organ, and Mr. Lenord played the piano. We all sang. We sang loud, we sang the classics and we sang with all the Christmas spirit there is.

I remember the smell of the lyric sheets. You see, "old" photocopies had different paper, which had a specific smell to it. I remember thinking that Mom could draw so well with the pretty bow and drawing of Rudolph on those sheets. Songs like Jingle Bells started us off (pretty sure that Frosty was near the beginning too). Silent Night near the end, and if memory is on tonight, then the last song was always "We wish you a Merry Christmas".

The dining room was full of food. The punch as I recall took a lot of work, and wasn't overly child friendly. But Pop Shoppe was always there for the kids, funny how some of these memories are popping up as I write this!

While the Sing A Long ended somewhere in childhood, Richard and I decided somewhere in our young adulthood that it should be brought back. That year, Dad played the organ for our friends. We sat on the living room floor, and us 20 somethings belted out the toons just like the good old days.

While our Christmas party doesn't have any singing, it's still a lot of fun. Family and friends gather together, enjoy some time together, and celebrate the season in fine style.

#5 - Traditions

Mom used to say that she didn't know it was a Christmas tradition in our house till she forgot one year and we asked what happened to _________?

Traditions, I think, are one of the reasons why Christmas is so magical. Every family has their own, and over the years they change, some get dropped and new ones get added. I have lots of fond ones from my childhood, and adore seeing the ones that my children love.

Christmas Eve Richard and I slept in the same room. Either his, or the basement (for some reason that just came to me). Grandma stayed the night and slept in my bed. Christmas morning always came early. If you ask Richard, I woke him. But I know he woke me. Regardless the stockings were waiting for us, and Grandma usually greeted us in the living room before Mom and Dad woke up.

Breakfast was forced upon us. I laugh because we always ate the same thing (and I still have them Christmas morning). Christmas breakfast is cinnamon rolls - the Pillsbury kind.

Santa's gifts were left unwrapped on the fireplace mantle. The biggest gift for years under the tree was mine - a doll from my Grandma. I would bet a million dollars that my brother will make a comment about it this Christmas. So far, the biggest gift under the tree is for me again (another tradition??).

Other traditions in the family growing up:

• Dye Christmas gatherings
• Christmas Sing A long
• PJ's Christmas Eve (still one I share with my kids)
• Dye triffel (this one has seemed to end, which isn't a bad thing)
• Egg nog on Christmas Eve
• Stocking stuffers individually wrapped (did that tonight)

There are lots of others. And I hope to continue to create more as the years go by. Christmas is only 5 days away, so I wonder what becomes tradition this year?

#6 - Christmas Music

Christmas without music is like Christmas without a tree. I mean, sure it could still happen, but people wouldn't enjoy it as much.

Christmas Carols are special to me. I love singing them, I know all the words (well mostly) and have more Christmas CDs than any other type of music.

If I were to choose a type of Chrismas music that I like best, I would have a really really hard time. I love the classics, but I love the newer version of the classics as well. Celine Dion's Christmas album is a nice blend of both. Having said that, I could listen to Bing Crosby sing the tradional ones for weeks on end. Yet again, I really love the version of Bruce Springsteen as he belts out Santa Claus is Coming to Town (the kids really like that one these days).

Yet there is one particular Christmas Album that is my all time favorite. Sunshine and Snowflakes. Must be good as it already came up as part of the top ten already!

You see, this group of children singing was very loved in my house growing up. I could sing every single song word for word. One year, the Squamish Children's Choir sand this, and I remember very clearly seeing them live. Happy Birthday Baby Jesus or Where is Christmas. Love all of the songs on there.

And this year just to take it another level, I decided to Christmas shop while listening to Christmas music. I think everyone should do this. Takes all the hussle and bustle out of it and brings you to a happiness that seems to be a rare thing in the malls.