CHRISTMAS IN CANADACanadian Christmas Traditionsif those words make you think of crisp snow, clear blue skies, decorated houses and fun - then maybe it is time you came to spend a Christmas in beautiful Ontario!
In early November the weather in Southern Ontario begins to change - we get noticeably shorter, colder, days. Winter arrives in Southern Ontario, in early to mid-December, which is often when we receive a fore-taste of what winter has in store for us, in the form of a blizzard or ice-storm! In the 30 years I have spent in Canada, I have experienced 28 "White Christmases". The other two were what we refer to as "Green Christmases" where the temperatures were too warm for snow. Although some people view the arrival of winter with trepidation, in our family we look forward to winter - and Christmas, because we know that its the start of the Snowmobile Season , and for us that is good news!
During the season of Christmas in Canada many families take the time to choose their Christmas tree, the tradition of which was brought to Canada in the mid-1800's by settlers who came from Germany, who also brought with them their traditional Advent Wreaths, Ginger-bread Houses and Christmas Cookies. For a more traditional Christmas in Canada you really should experience the full Christmas tree Experience! All around the province there are Christmas Tree farms where you are able to go and select your own tree, which then is chopped down, either by you or by the staff, loaded onto the roof of your car, or in the back of a pick-up truck, and away you go - ready to take that perfect Christmas Tree home, to be decorated by your family. For some of us though, this process is as simple as bringing the artificial tree up from the basement!
I'm not sure if this happens to everybody, but at our house we get a little nostalgic at Christmas time! Hubby and I enjoy listening to the traditional Christmas hymns and songs that bring back to us the memories of long-ago Christmases. Most Canadians send Christmas Cards to their friends and relations, as it is a nice way of keeping in touch with old neighbours and distant family members. In recent years the personal computer has become more common-place in many Canadian homes, and greetings these days are often sent via E-mail.
In the weeks leading up to Christmas in Canada people here in Southern Ontario spend time shopping for Christmas gifts. Most people buy toys for the children in their lives, many people also purchase cosmetics, clothing and jewelery for their loved ones. Another popular gift is to send flowers overseas, and there are companies who deliver flowers in Canada from relatives who live elsewhere - Pick-Up Flowers will deliver flowers in Southern Ontario, and elsewhere across the country.
Canadian children can write to him at his home address. SANTA CLAUS Canadian postal codes are made up of a six digits - in sequence of a letter, a number, a letter etc. As you can see, Santa's postal code is Ho Ho Ho!
If you are hoping to experience a truly "White Christmas" before Global Warming puts and end to them, then why not consider a winter holiday in Canada? Our vacation accommodation, Sunnybrook Farm Holiday Home , is available during the Christmas season and at New Year.
The Rose of Sharon Holiday Cottage in nearby Aylmer, will also be available for Christmas and New Year 2008. Staying at the Sunnybrook Holiday Home is a wonderful way to experience a beautiful white Canadian Christmas in Canada. The apartment is decorated for the season and comes complete with a Christmas tree for your enjoyment - we'll even supply you with a 12lb turkey!
Check here for rates and information on the Sunnybrook Farm Holiday Home in St Thomas or, if you require accommodation for more than 6 guests, the Rose of Sharon self-catering holiday home, in the pretty town of Aylmer, can accommodate up to 8 guests in four double bedrooms.
People in Health Care and the Service Industry, Hospitals, Ambulance & Paramedics, Police Officers, Restaurants, Gasoline Stations and Hotels do have to work, as they are necessary to the running of these essential services. At Christmas time Canadians like to socialize with family and friends and spend time visiting each other over the holidays. Of course, Christmas in Canada and worldwide, is the time when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, and many Christians make time during the festivities to attend their local Church or Chapel to worship. Many Churches have special Christmas Eve Services and others have Midnight Mass or a service on Christmas Day itself. The Nativity Story Traditional Christmas Foods
If you ask Canadians what they eat at Christmas, you will get a variety of answers, but the word "Turkey" is usually in their list. For Christmas in Canada, dinner usually includes Turkey and stuffing, perhaps a Ham, potatoes, vegetables - followed by a dessert of Christmas Pudding!
In our family we traditionally have three kinds of potatoes (Roast Potatoes, Scalloped Potatoes and Mashed Potatoes) with our roast Turkey, and this is the one day of the year when Canadians forget about counting calories and carbohydrates!
Other favourites in our family are Venison and Tourtiere which is a meat pie favoured by many French-Canadians, and enjoyed by the rest of us too!
At Christmas time our whole family gets together for another tradition - the watching of our favourite Christmas movie - National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Special Edition) Another traditional activity around Christmas in Canada is the baking of Christmas Cookies. My youngest daughter and I enjoy baking these cookies together early in December, so that we will have some home made treats to serve our guests during the Christmas season.
Each Christmas my family builds a Gingerbread House. These come in kit form, with all the pieces already baked, and with all the icing and decorations you could possibly need, or alternately, you can purchase a mold and bake them yourself, year after year!
Links to Christmas in CanadaNordicWare German Gingerbread House Mold They are great fun for a family project and even the little ones in your family can participate in the placing of the candy decorations.
Christmas in Canada - Christkindl Market, Kitchener
Floral Delivery across Canada
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Because the inhabitants of Ontario come from many backgrounds and cultures, their Christmas traditions reflect their ethnicity and there is a richness to the various Christmas traditions that are found here - some of which are we mention here.
Here in Canada, most Children receive gifts from Santa Claus - who, in case you didn't know it, lives at the North Pole!
Christmas Day in Canada and the following day, Boxing Day, are statutory holidays in Ontario and most people do not have to work on those days. 
is a movie which tells the story of the birth of Jesus. 
. This hilarious look at the Christmas season is just as funny each time I watch it!
