Rad Tidings December 9, 2008

I was reading an article on the Toronto Life website that had some special locals share the top 5 things they couldn’t get through the holiday season without. I’ve decided to compile a list of my own.
1. Stress
Although not really desirable, I do enjoy what comes after a stressful day of shopping…a steaming hot bath, my favourite book and a glass of wine or piping hot cocoa. There’s no better feeling than relieving some pent up stress and aggression than an hour of doing things that don’t require too much brain activity (and other people).
2. Giving
Although it is a bit cliched, I do love to give gifts over receiving them (I do really enjoy getting gifts, though). I get so excited when I find the perfect gift for my brothers, cousins, mom, dad, boyfriend, friends that I can hardly keep the gift a secret. I just know that they’ll love it and want to see the expression on their face when they open it…and love it.
3. Love with my loves
My girlfriends and I have an annual Christmas Gift Exchange. This exchange tends to have a theme, in the past we’ve tackled board games and ugly Christmas sweaters. This year we took a break from it and just brought the fixings of our favourite alcoholic beverage and shared rounds throughout the evening (although mine was quite terrible).
4. Christmas Movies
What is it about movies on television that make them so much more desirable to watch? I have a collection of my favourite Christmas flicks but won’t watch them…that is until they’re on TV. Is it the lack of commitment required with a television viewing? Or the lack of VCR in my apartment that keeps me from popping in my childhood favourites? I tend to stay away from the “new and improved” version of classics, they’re quite lame. I do, however, always make time for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, because well, Hermey doesn’t like to make toys.
5. Snow
I love snow. Especially freshly laid snow. There’s nothing more relaxing, more beautiful, more Canadian than a late night stroll through your neighbourhood after a fresh snowfall. I love the squeak my boots make with each step, how the snow is so bright that it lights up the sky, the way the trees look with and how it’s strangely warm outside. So long as the windchill is kept to a minimum, Winter will forever remain my favourite season.