Minnow’s Five Things

It’s true that some people love Christmas more than others. I’m not sure why, but I am definitely afflicted with the latter. I love the smell of Christmas trees, I love the cheesy music, the lights and decorations, the excuse to get dressed up for parties and even wrapping gifts. But mostly I love watching my kids get excited about Christmas. Here are a few examples of what caught my attention this week and reminded me of why I love this time of year.
1. You have probably seen this video online already, but just in case you’re not one of the three million people who have viewed it on YouTube in the last 48 hours, this is the perfect Christmas stunt by WestJet. This is pure marketing genius because they captured the spirit of the season so well—and created a video of it to share with everyone. I love that they focus on the giving—what their team did to get the gifts to their guests, rather than on what everyone wanted for Christmas. WestJet set out to spread good cheer, and they did.

2. I’m also a believer in Santa. I know that sometime he wears a blue and white WestJet hat (as in the video above) and sometimes he is in a mall (or sometimes in a pub). Mostly he exists through moms and dads who do their best to ensure the wish list is filled. But wherever he is, he is carrying with him the magic that only those of us who love Christmas understand. That’s why I love this app, because it proves that Santa exists. Get it and use it!

3. Of course, there are some who believe that Santa is a bold faced lie we’re telling our kids, thus setting them up with trust issues in the future. This could be true. If you’re on the fence about this, you might want to read this post by one of our Savvy Storytellers, Candace Derickx from Life in Pleasantville, who asks the question ‘What’s Wrong with Santa Claus?’ She makes a good point: do what you must, but don’t make the rest of us feel guilty because you’re trying to justify your own anti-Santa actions.

4. Sure, Christmas is a lot of work for us moms. But let’s face it, we’ve been running the show for years—and there are so many great resources out there to help us. Like the SavvyMom 101 Ways to be a Holiday Hero. From the perfect turkey meal, to finding the right teacher’s gift to the hottest toys this season—it’s all there.

5. At the end of the day it’s all about the gift of giving. That’s what the spirit of Christmas is about and there are so many ways to help. A new and interesting way to give back that caught my attention recently is the designer gingerbread house auction being hosted by the Children’s Aid Foundation. Gingerbread by Design is an online auction in which celebrated Canadian designers have created one-of-a-kind gingerbread houses to bid on and bring home. All proceeds will go directly to the Children’s Aid Foundation in support of vulnerable kids. My favourite is this one by Jill Kantelberg Design. What’s yours?

Have fun with your Christmas prep. It can be stressful but like most things that require a little bit more attention, it’s worth it.