The Mystery Days Between Christmas and New Years

I started writing a blog the other day (before Christmas), when I was trying to get into the festive mood about my family's Christmas traditions (I need to finish it, it was getting pretty long). 

This being my first Christmas away from home there is a lot I miss, some of the things would be happening now, not necessarily during the lead up to Christmas. Neighbors dropping in for a drink to share some baked goods or sweets and see everyone's haul of presents. Boxing Day in my home town is a huge deal, we don't do Boxing Day shopping in my neck of the woods; we spend the day in the rink. Everyone who has played hockey for my High School's Hockey teams is invited to take part in grad games that make up a mini tournament and then everyone over 19 heads to the only bar in town and drinks all the eggnog they have.  

I am a staying in girl for New Year’s Eve, I have had my share of nights out but I have learned the most fun is when my siblings, cousins and my boyfriend all do a group activity like skating and then set some fireworks off in then the youngins go to sleep and us older kids settle in for board games and unhealthy food. 

To top it all off, New Year’s Day we wake to the icing on the cake presents-wise. Santa visits the children/big kids in the MacDonald and Bruce households with stockings full of his "leftovers" from the North Pole. 

Yes, to me it is all magical. I love the mysterious days between Christmas and New Year’s. 

Christmas Eve 2012: Merry Christmas From My Deathbed

That is what I would have said to you last year; being that it is Christmas I thought it would be a goodtime to reflect on last year's Christmas. Lots of people have told me how bad they feel that I had planned to be alone this Christmas. Well being alone is much better than the 48 hour sickness that hit me last Christmas. As much as I would love to be with my family for the Holidays, I hope to never turn into a helpless wreck over Christmas again. I seriously have never been as sick as I was last Christmas Eve/Christmas Day.

Last Christmas I was so sick with a bug this Instagram photo shows how I was propped up at my Grandparent's house on Christmas Eve. Christmas Day after an embarrassing incident that truly took me back to childhood or pushed me into old-age, it was decided I could be left home alone for Christmas Day rather than carted around to my Grandparent and Grandmother's houses. I would give you some sickness details but I am saving them for my book, it involves being incredibly stiff and immovable like a giant rock.

One thing I am very thankful for (though it was not a full-on traditional Christmas for me last year) is that was with family (and great dogs) last Christmas. I would be the most miserable person alive right now if I was sick like that again this year, I ended up returning the favour for my family taking care of me. My Boyfriend came down with the same gross sickness exactly a week later on New Year's Eve. On a side note, I would kill to have a dog right now, my entire night would have been spent dressing it up and taking pictures of it as if it were a small child. 

Mitch is in the box before the present is out of it!

This Christmas Eve has been spent, debating ordering Chinese food, watching Holiday Specials from the 90s, opening presents a little early and Skyping. A solid night and it is only 7:20pm! First I Skyped my lovely family in Nova Scotia and got to see them open their present from me. My Christmas gift to the Bruce Household was a Margaritaville machine, so they can have the tastes of the Islands at home! In typical kid fashion, my youngest cousin Mitchell was in the shipping box before my mother could even get the machine out. 

I then got to Skype my Boyfriend's family after they got home from church in Calgary. The Skyping is pretty fun, but I don't have much to talk about here. I am WAY more interested in what they are doing! 

The lovely flowers in a massive Christmas tree bulb sent
by 'Nova Scotia' aka Dad & Grammie.

Now I am off to continue 'Jingle All The Way', I had begun a weeping tribute to the Bruce familyChristmas the other day at work. My plans then changed and I was kind of left not knowing what to do with my previous words. Without the juicy details on a MacDonald-Bruce Christmas I was just about to get into, I think I will finalize that blog and roll it out tomorrow. 

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas Eve (and Christmas in general of course)!

Viral Vid: #XMASJAMMIES the Best Holiday Video of the Year

Holy crap I love this video!

I am not sure I have seen a better Christmas video this year and there have been a lot of viral Christmas videos so far this Holiday season. To be honest with you, until this video gets to the shameless plug for their new business I think this video is my favourite viral vid of the year. I am pretty jealous that my family does not have one of these videos (and that I’m not in Iron Man 3). It is also a pretty good reminder that I need to pick up some #XMASJammies, that is one Christmas tradition from Nova Scotia that I have ignored while here in the Koots and I am definitely missing the warm and fuzzy comfort of new Christmas PJs. Skyping home on Christmas Morning would be a little lame in sweatpants, Christmas Jammies are now on the top of my to do list. 

I’m going to outright say it, in a year that is lacking Holiday movies this is my favourite Christmas production of the year, hands down.  

Secret Santa Struggles

I am going to be honest with you; I am starting to get a little sour about spending Christmas alone here in the Kootenays. It is my first Christmas away from home this year and I thought I would be able to combat my case of the lonelies on the 25^th with indulgences that include (but definitely are not limited to) Chinese food and Christmas movies. The fact is I started to realize just how bummed I am to be missing out on adult beverages with old friend

s, getting out skated by a bunch of kids that were in elementary school when I played hockey at the Annual MRHS Grad hockey day and watching the kids in my family exhibit all the magic of Christmas with crying (yes, I mean tears) and shrieks of joy.

One of the ways I am combating this lonesome Christmas is by taking part in the World’s largest Secret Santa. Now I am at a loss for picking out my gift. I have no idea what to buy my nerdy/athletic/gamer male match. I want something unique, but I am starting to struggle. John Helm and I have contemplated what to buy for our significant others on Morning Rocks, so it makes sense that I am struggling with buying something for a complete stranger. What the hell am I to buy? Here is a little about 'That Canadian Bacon'

I could go with the listener’s idea from this morning’s show, he suggested picking up a ‘Clapper’ for the person who you don’t know how to shop for. What do you think I should send my Secret Santa buddy? Let me know your thoughts by email at kate@mountainfm.net!

UPDATE: I totally ended up finding the perfect gift for my match, something he can use Sunday afternoons while cooking his girlfriend lunch that compliments his neediness with a great Game of Thrones pun!

I will keep you updated about what I end up getting in exchange!  

For more on my Reddit Secret Santa experience click here.