Ken and Michelle's Excellent Christmas

2015 Christmas - Halifax Waterfront Boardwalk

Christmas Traditions

It's been six years since we rolled up to Halifax in our Matrix.  We've lost a few things on the way - some more important than others.  The Matrix is gone.  We've also lost our Moms and my birth dad.  But we've gained along the way, too.  I have new family members that I've been united with since my dad passed away. I have family coming out of my ears, now!

Last year at this time we had Les and Elva with us - Ken's brother and his family.  After so many years here on our own, it was so nice to spend a Christmas with siblings.  Moving to the Maritimes is a decision that we are very happy with, but holidays can be a little tough.  We've made our own traditions, though, and today will be no different.

Because we have sold everything we owned twice to start Missions, we have maintained a pretty simple life, and even our traditions are streamlined and geared towards helping others.  Yesterday we did as much as we could to set up for today's Christmas Party at the Mission, then last night exchanged gifts at home.  We are practical gift givers, usually only giving one gift each, or deciding on a "family" gift.  This year, time did not permit.

Ken said, "Be honest.  Did you get me anything?"
I replied, "No. I ran out of time."

Yesterday he told me he got a gift for both of us and it had been in a huge red bag in the living room for days!  I'm apparently not very observant!  Like the time Jack shaved his long biker beard and it took me a week to realize what was different.  I caught a cold the previous night, so supper was chicken noodle soup, and my  bedtime was 7:00.  And then I remembered I bought him a small stocking stuffer type of gift. So, he opened that first.  It was a dud!  Thanks a lot Shoppers Drug Mart!  It's a key chain that you can whistle and it beeps if you lose your keys.  Perfect Porter present!  But you had to open it to take the tab off the battery, and this thing for the life of us would not open.  Hahaha!!!

Ken's gift was perfect for us because in 100 days or less it will pay for itself and help us save money, and stick to our healthy eating lifestyle. It's a sodastream.  I'm super excited about it because in the last year we've discovered sparkling water and drink it almost every day!

This morning I woke up to the lights of our little tree.  We don't have a tree - we have 3 silver cones that you plug in and they light up.  So, last year our caretaker, who is Mr. Christmas himself, gave us a mini pre-lit green tree.  It's super cute!  We didn't decorate it, although I had great intentions!   Under it (okay, so it's way too tiny for that...) beside it are my wrapped staff gifts, and one for my friend, Heather.

Every year I send my Calgary family  a small token piece of the Maritimes.  Our siblings don't exchange gifts - all gifts go to the kids only, but since we are away, and have no kids, we send little surprises.  Last year every family got a spurtle!  Yes, I sent my family wooden sticks for Christmas!

All the staff are working Christmas Day (by choice) so we decided to have breakfast together at 11:00.  Ken and I will go at 8:00 to get the seafood chowder ready for our 200 guests, and finish some set up.  We're going to facetime Vicky in Bridgewater, and Chef Ryan, who may or may not be able to come this afternoon in the end, as his family has descended upon his house!  So, in one form or another, we'll all be together.

Our Mission Christmas party was a tradition Ken and I started the first year we were here.  We had no family, and barely knew a soul, so we wanted to share Christmas with others who were in the same boat!  The Mission peeps ARE our family, in so many ways.  And so, we have our big three course dinner New Years Eve, and make Christmas fun and low key for all of us.  We have a party with seafood chowder, and a massive cookie buffet.  (Which is great, because another thing I don't do is Christmas baking!)  We hand out amazing gifts, and play Christmas carols in the background.  It's a really special time and if you're free today, please join us from 1-3; there is plenty for everyone!

Afterwards Ken and I head over to a hotel on the waterfront.  We take the one with the best rate and a hot tub, and it's usually the Westin Nova Scotian, although last year we spent it at the Marriott.  This year our hotel is totally free using our Starwood Points, so that is amazing!  We have a water view, which means we can see the Christmas lights at the Seaport Farmers Market.  We got a late checkout, which is also amazing, since I was up at 4:00 so I'll be in bed pretty early tonight and I want to be able to enjoy our little staycation!  We'll order room service for supper, Ken will play a computer game and I will watch a Christmas movie.  In the morning go to the restaurant for brunch. Thanks to a gift from one of our board members, both meals will be covered.

My favourite part of the Ken and Michelle Christmas getaway is our walk on the boardwalk each year. It's always so peaceful, and I don't think we've ever met another human being on the walk.  Sometimes there isn't a stitch of snow, and other times we get to make the trail in freshly fallen snow.

And that is Christmas for us!  It's simple.  It's not extravagant.  It gives us a rest after a very busy season, by allowing us to decompress, relax together in the hot tub, send Christmas texts to friends and family, and just be together in the quiet.

But for now, it's time to get ready for the party!  Planning a party for up to 200 people is pretty much like organized chaos, but as long as everyone is smiling and having a good time, not much else matters.  They say Christmas is for giving.  For me, it's definitely true.  We may not have a lot of traditions or time to bake or send cards or gifts, but that isn't the point.  I give my Christmas away to others, in response to God sending His only son to be the Savour of the world - to be my Saviour.

Merry Christmas, Friends.  You are loved.

Michelle (and Ken, too!)