Tis The Season

If the cold weather wasn't proof enough then today's Santa Claus Parade in my hometown was a sure sign that Christmas is quickly approaching.

I hadn't attended the annual parade in a few years but I decided to go check out this years event and I must say I wasn't disappointed.

Aside from the usual bands and floats I was eager to see Santa this year. I mean who doesn't love Santa? He's jolly and happy and brings lots of gifts. The bonus this time around was the fact that my dad was playing the part.

It seems the usual gent who wears the red suit for the annual event had a mishap a couple weeks ago and was unable to fulfill his yearly duties. So he contacted my dad who filled in and did an admirable job.

As far as the parade goes, it was easily one of the best I've seen in this city in quite some time. The night time parades are always more interesting with all of the lights but there was a lot of effort put into the floats this year. I've seen some parades in the past where all it is is one long commercial ad for local merchants who enter their company vehicles and tie a few bows on it to give the impression of effort. But that wasn't the case this time around and everyone is to be commended for a job well done...even Santa.

Bonus Info:

This has to be one of the most insane things I've ever read.

In Australia, Santa's are being asked to say "Ha Ha Ha" instead of the traditional "Ho Ho Ho". The powers that be feel saying it could 'frighten' children and it the Santa recruiting firm feels it's derogatory to women. They say it's too close to the North American slang for 'Prostitute'.

Thankfully most Santa's are not following their orders and rebelling against this nonsense. I think this falls under the category, "Aren't their worse things to worry about?"

Favourite Christmas Memories

It's true what they say about Christmas; as you get older, it seems to lose some of it's special qualities. There's nothing like living through the holiday season as a child and taking in the wonders of this time. That's not to say I've turned into a Scrooge and ghosts will soon show up beside my bed. It's just that the whole Christmas experience has become more of an effort. Perhaps if you have kids you can relive the old feelings through them and that helps to preserve the memories.

Of course I have great memories of Christmas' past. I remember helping to trim the tree or perhaps I was just getting in the way. Playing with the tinsel was fun. Spending time with my family was always special. One family tradition that continues to this day is breakfast at my mom and dad's house. Several of my aunt's and my uncle on dad's side of the family always show up around 9am for breakfast. It is a huge meal that holds us until supper later in the day. Some year's we have more people and some we have less but it keeps taking place.

In my younger days dad, mom, my brother Scott and I would hop in the car and head to Colborne to Grandpa and Grandma Williams' homestead. This was usually a large family gathering with aunt's, uncle's and cousin's. It was always fun but with the passing of my grandparent's, those days happen no more.

As an adult I can now truly appreciate what my parent's did for my brother and I. With only dad working and putting in as much overtime as he could, he and mom made sure we had some wonderful memories. They sacrificed so we could have a ping pong table, board games, skates, new clothes or my Evel Knievel Stunt Cycle. I also couldn't figure out why dad seemed a little grumpy when we jumped on his bed at 4:30 in the morning to start opening the presents. Of course now I realize he and mom were probably up until 1:00 wrapping and placing gifts under the tree. But once they were up, they were more than happy to sit and watch us destroy the wrapping paper and play games with us throughout the day.

You might not believe this, but even at my advanced age, there's one thing that helps to transport me back to my childhood. I still love to watch the old Christmas television specials. My favourite's include the "Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer" (with the island of misfit toys), "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" (I always liked Max the dog), "Charlie Brown Christmas" (that poor little tree), "Santa Clause Is Coming To Town" (Kris Kringle bringing toys to the children of Sombertown), "Year Without A Santa Clause" (Heat Miser and Snow Miser working their magic) and "Frosty The Snowman" (why would he go in a greenhouse). How many of those do you remember?

The one new holiday special I have started to enjoy is the Victoria's Secret Holiday Fashion Show on CBS. Holy Jingle Bells!!!

So as the holiday season creeps up on us, I'll be scanning the TV Guide to find some of my favourite holiday friends to help put me in the mood.