10. Go to a Theatre

On Christmas Eve my family helped me check something else off my list: To go to a theatre. We went to the Granville Island theatre in Vancouver and watched "It's a Wonderful Life". A true Christmas classic and wonderfully performed. The production followed the film very closely and was both touching and entertaining.

I actually went to see the same production with my parents a couple of years ago and last year we saw the Nutcracker Ballet at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre which was also amazing. I think Christmas is a great time to watch a theatre production with all the wonderful classic Christmas-themed stories.

9. Go Christmas Caroling

 

One of the things I love most about Christmas are Christmas carols. I love listening to and singing along to them on the radio. I also love Christmas Caroling. Its not something you see a lot of people do now-a-days but something I have enjoyed participating in many times whether going with a group of people from church or going door to door to sing to neighbours with my family.

Tonight I went to a friends home who had organized a caroling event. She got a list, from the  stake Relief Society president, of elderly people in our stake who might enjoy a visit. We first visited a lady at her home and sang a couple of Christmas carols from the hymn book and then left with "We Wish You a Merry Christmas".

We then went to the Good Samaritans Centre to visit a couple of people there who were on our list. We were later invited to sing in various parts of the building. I loved watching as people came out of their rooms to listen to us sing and to join in. I feel that Christmas carols really do help to spread Christmas cheer and emulate the love of the Savior while spreading the good news of his gospel.

Buddy the Elf was right when he said, "the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear".

*December 24th Update*

Mikayla and Couper getting ready
 to go Christmas caroling

On Christmas Eve we continued our family tradition of going Christmas caroling around the neighbourhood. Mikayla and I made cookies to hand out to the neigbours. It was a lot of fun and I especially enjoyed hearing people say that they were excited to have us come back or "when I heard the doorbell ring, I knew who it was". We also met new neighbours who had recently moved in.

It is a family tradition that has brought many good memories and one that I hope to continue for many more years to come.

Sariah tells me that it's time to get married

I just got off the phone with my 6 year old niece that included the following conversation:

Sariah: "How old are you?"

Me: "How old do you think I am?"

Sariah:"Are you 30? .... Mommy is 30 so I think that means you are too."

Me: "Well we are twins"

Sariah: "Yes, so that means your 30 too."

Me: "Yes, I am"

Sariah: "You need to get married then. Mommy got married a long time ago".

I laughed and then we talked for about an hour about other things including Christmas, their upcoming road trip to Alabama, school and her siblings. Then she goes back to the above topic and says (while giggling):

"I know what you can do, find someone at church and just kiss him."

hahaha ... thanks for the advice Sariah.

8. Buy a toy for a child in need

It’s Christmas time! I love Christmas time: I love the lights, the carols, being with my family and others I care about and I love how much of the world reflects (at least a little bit) more on the Savior. Many Christmas traditions reflect the teachings of Jesus Christ, including showing love to, serving and giving to others.

I know of individuals and families who will choose one or more people to buy something special for whether a gift or meal and leave it anonymously at their doorstep. I love that idea and it is a tradition I would like to start. My sister actually suggested I add something like this to my list of 30 things to accomplish but I decided not to because this is a public blog and I would want it to be an anonymous act. However, it led me to think of what else I could do.
 
I decided to buy a toy to donate to the Santa’s Anonymous Campaign to be given to a child from a low income family. Some of my most memorable Christmas gifts where baby dolls and Barbie dolls. I loved playing with dolls as a little girl (maybe I still do ... haha). I naturally searched the doll aisle and choose a Snow White Disney princess doll in hopes that a little girl will spend endless hours playing with her doll and recognizing that she too is a princess.