"Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree," says author Larry Wilde in The Merry Book of Christmas. "In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall." It's a noble sentiment that we'd all profit from remembering, but try telling that to Wendy Mesley's six-year-old daughter (who will not be fooled, it seems, by the modest eight-foot version).
We asked half a dozen notable Canadians to share their Christmas rituals, childhood memories, all-time favourite (and sometimes life-changing) gifts and plans for this holiday season. What did we learn?
That Christmas is indeed a state of mind -- and that it's not always about the turkey and dreaded brussels sprouts. It often invokes curling, massive jigsaw puzzles, perogies, political arguments, motherhood and water balloons.
Natalie McMaster remembers midnight mass and seeing the presents
"Some of the fondest memories of my entire life are waking up in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve," says Juno-winning Cape Breton fiddler Natalie McMaster. "Santa usually came at about two in the morning. We'd go to midnight mass or children's mass and then go to sleep. Of course, we would ask to be woken up! So Dad used to wake us at around 2 a.m., after he'd put the presents out. Oh my gosh! We'd be freaking out, just seeing all the presents under the tree. On Christmas Day we'd have a turkey feast -- Mom would always make Tweed Squares and oatcakes -- and then we'd go visiting. People would drop in, bring their instruments, and music would just start."
Since tying the knot three years ago to Donnell Leahy of the musical Leahy family and moving to Ontario, new Christmas rituals have evolved. "My husband and I are trying to focus more on the real meaning of Christmas. We really want to keep it as minimally materialistic as absolutely possible. We usually have a curling championship. Nothing too serious. Even those who can't play get on a team. But I don't have a clue what to expect this year. I'm due Dec. 4 and we're just so thrilled. If all goes well, I'll have a new little baby. My parents are coming up from Cape Breton. Mom is going to help teach me how to be a mother. I know I'll be overwhelmed, but I bet it'll help with the true meaning of Christmas because I'll have this beautiful gift of life."
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