A very happy Christmas

And so another year has passed. Another Christmas has come and gone... and yet again my brother and I were spoiled by our parents. Don't get me wrong, I love all of the treats that we were given but I do sometimes feel bad for getting so much stuff. After all, the holidays are about spending time with the ones you care about, and not necessarily about spending x number of dollars on the ones you care about. That being said, I was very excited to see my parents and brother open the gifts I'd bought them this year because I knew they would really like them - or at least I had hoped they would... and they did. So maybe the gift giving part of Christmas is just the way that my family have come to say, "Thanks, I love you and I want to give you something that I know you will use and enjoy." Or something of that nature. After all the gifts are opened, all of the food is consumed, and all of the guests have gone home, the four of us are always left with a very satisfied and warm feeling inside. I know it sounds quite cliched, but sharing happy moments, giving gifts that make each other smile, and just spending 48 hours nearly entirely in each other's company without any real arguing, etc. is something that just makes Christmas really special. Perhaps we spend too much money, perhaps we buy each other things that we don't need, but I love my family and I love that we at least have this holiday every year at the same time to look forward to being together and being happy... even if it is largely about spending money and watching large companies profit.

I love everything about Christmas. From the overflowing shopping malls, to the crowded parking lots, to the frantic last-minute shopping, to the wrapping gifts until 2am, to the cold nights searching for a tree, to the turkey-filled stomach, to the smiles on every one's faces and the constant Christmas music for nearly one month straight. December 24th is my favourite day of the year because the anticipation for the following morning is just as exciting for me at 25 as it was when I was 6.

Thank you to my lovely family, my wonderful friends and to all of the shoppers who made this Christmas so great.

(*Stay tuned for notes on the highlights of the holiday season at the bookstore in the next few days*)