I think that Winnipeg is a great place to spend the holiday season. 'Peggers love the holidays.
In honour of this, I would like to make my list:
How You Know The Holiday Season Is Coming In Winnipeg
10. Shopping malls and stores begin putting up their decorations, particularly the garland kind of wreaths they hang from the ceilings with red bows and bells. These are usually pretty subtle at first. Some stores may start putting up festive signage but you don't see too much before December. It's kind of a little tease.
9. The first Christmas tree I see in the front window of a house. That house continues to stand out to me for the rest of the season. There is one house near mine that goes all out. And by all out, I mean aaalllll out. The roof of his home slants down towards the street and he always creates a scene on the roof with lights and figurines. His yard (from the walls of the house to the sidewalk) become pleasantly cluttered with light strewn cutouts and lawn ornaments. I met his son once and he told me that his father has a second breaker box for his Christmas decorations alone. There's no competition on his block, or street.
8. 'Peggers are replacing the Christmas lights they neglected to take down the previous year, or putting up new ones. This has come particularly early this year due to the long running warm, snowless weather. CTV actually ran a story on this the other day, saying that when people would typically be buying snow shovels, they are buying rakes, as well outdoor lights.
Knock on wood. You can blame me if we get a foot of snow tomorrow.
7. The gigantic Christmas tree in front of city hall is lit up. It's always gigantic and always has a bajillion lights. There's nothing particularly fancy about it, just a tree with lights, but it's still a tradition. This year I happened to have CTV news on the other day (I'm pretty sure it was the same night as the segment on rakes, shovels and outdoor lights) and Sylvia Kuzyk joined Mayor Sam Katz for the official lighting.
6. Not only are 'Peggers fans of the holidays, but their businesses are too. I drive around a lot and I always find it very heart warming when businesses, that for the most part have no holiday business, unpack their decorations and display them in front of the building. I would like to make a couple shout outs to some of my personal favourites:
-Club Regent Casino on Regent Ave: I've never seen a "HAPPY HOLIDAYS" sign look so fuzzy!
-Palson Ken Enterprises on Dugald Road: I almost jumped out of my car to help when I saw you guys putting up the "SEASONS GREETINGS" sign this year.
-Great Western Containers on Dawson Road: The oil drum tree covered in lights make me giggle every year. It's not out yet, but I'm looking forward to it.
-Lafarge on Dawson Road: The cement truck covered with lights, elves and gifts looks like a one float parade. I was very happy to see it lit up already.
-Able Movers Ltd. on Dawson Road: I consider this to be one of the classics. There's always a cone-shaped tree made of lights suspended from the top of a crane in the middle of the yard. You have to look up, waaay up, but it's worth it.
-Terracon Development Ltd: During the summer, the rocks have a nice waterfall flowing over it. In the winter, there are light-up reindeer and a "lightsfall" flowing down.
(I live on the east side of the city so all of these businesses are from my area. If there are some from other parts of the city that I'm missing, that's what the comment box is for!)
5. Pretty much all students from kindergarten to university and college are eagerly counting down the weeks and days until they get a break from school. I'm sure that even the keanest of keaners looks forward to the winter holidays.
Also, if it's getting closer to December 25th and you often hear high pitched sqeals and clapping, it's probably me seeing some sort of holiday related thing. Decorations, lights and trees, holiday gift sales, etc. I apologize if it hurts your ears, I can get a little too excited sometimes.
4. Holiday commercials on the radio and TV. Gotta love em!
3. Gingerbread lattes and candycane mochas. Nuff said...
2. The Santa Clause Parade! In Winnipeg, this annual event is more or less the kick off to the holiday season. It's the first siting of Santa Clause and it starts getting everyone in the mood. My highschool art teacher once forced me to volunteer (that's right, I said "forced me to volunteer") one year. While I was reluctant, complained and was quite embaressed, I secretly had fun. Shhh! Don't tell her!
1. Last but not least, the downtown lights! From the "Old Man Winter" blowing a blue wind down Main Street to Rudolph's nose blinking red on Portage Ave, and all the snowflakes,
wreathes, elves and angels hanging from the light posts, these bright illustrations are a true sign of the season that is quickly approaching. I think this was the first thing I squealed excitedly at, so I was surprised when my dad told me the other day that he hadn't noticed that they were lit up. They really have become one of my favourite parts of the holidays in Winnipeg.Well, as of right now, that is what I have noticed around the city that is pointing in the direction of the holiday season. Let me know if you've got any good ones to add. I'm already getting my Christmas Jitters!! Expect many more "Holiday Lists" in the weeks to come. Why not combine two of my favourite things?!
(pictures from http://www.goseattlecard.com/, http://www.winnipegsantaparade.com/, www.winterpeg.com)
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