So with all of the craziness of masters completion and small home business start-up, spending time together as a family and as a couple has been a little on the not-really-happening-much side of things. Which makes me a whole lot sad. After all, isn't that why a person works from home? To spend more time with family? I am sure that things will even out eventually, but this Christmas I really do want to make spending time together as a family a priority.
Following the lead of one of my favorite bloggers in New York City, we are going to attempt the "Twelve Dates of Christmas: Toronto Style!" Basically, we want to make the time up until and shortly after Christmas all about going and doing things together as a family, and a couple, spending more time in this beautiful (if not, at times, congested and cold) city of ours! If you want to join us in doing the same, we'd be happy to hear about it and might even change our list for some better ideas from you!
What are some of the items on our Twelve Dates of Christmas Bucket List? Well, thanks to some mamas in my mama group and a little searching around on the Internet, here are the top 12ish things we want to do this year:
1) A Carriage Ride. Our Gabriel loves horses. And if we don't make it out for a sleigh ride, a carriage ride is perfect too. Port Perry (about an hour away) has free carriage rides which started this past weekend. Fridays from 5-8pm and Sundays from 12-4pm
2) Mississauga Tree Lighting. It really sounds too good to be true. Toy train rides, sleigh rides, DJ skate party, tree lighting, food trucks, pictures with Santa, Holiday Market. And it's all this Saturday, Nov 22nd at 6pm-9pm.
3) Tree Cutting. So we already have a tree. Yes, a real tree that we have been using in the studio. But, let's face it. A tree we bought Nov 1st is not going to make it until Christmas. But we got our tree here in Milton. And we liked it so much we are planning on going back as a family and getting another one. Plus, they have a cute little Santa Workshop with handcrafted gifts, snacks and warm drinks. We cut our own tree down with a hand-saw. Not sure if you need to bring your own or not!
4) The CP Holiday Train. The train is coming through Toronto only on November 29th and Vaughn on Nov 30th on it's way across all of North America. When the train arrives, the boxcar doors open and the concert starts. It has a free concert to raise money for the food bank.
5) Christmas Parade. One of the cutest little neighborhoods east of Toronto is Streetsville. They are having their parade Nov 30th at 1pm. More info here. And if we don't make it there, we are planning on checking out the Etobicoke/Lakeshore parade which is rated #4 in all of Ontario. Saturday, December 6th at 10am.
6) The Distillery District. Every year, the Distillery District hosts a large Christmas Market. We went last year and loved it! Great shopping in all the boutiques and plenty of places to eat and have coffee/hot chocolate, etc. At Christmas they put up a whole series of little wooden huts which sell wares. It's probably the most festive place in the city this time of year. One of my favorite shops there is the Distill Gallery which supports and carries all sorts of works by artists from around Toronto. Support local artists! Yay! It opens Nov 28th and runs until Dec 21st.
7) The One of A Kind Show. I am an artist at heart and love everything about art and supporting local small business. This show is incredible! They have artists from all across North America who create the most beautiful pieces--jewelry, stained glass, pottery, clothing, food, metalworks, soaps, hats and gloves, and the list goes on. We go every year and often buy a number of Christmas gifts here, if not only stocking stuffers. It runs for about a week and they have one night of late night shopping until 11pm on the Thursday. More info here. It runs Nov 27th-Dec 7th.
8) Skating at Nathan Phillips Square downtown. We are going to have to just let go of our super organized bedtime routine and just do it! Take the littles downtown, have some supper and then hit up the skating rink once the sun is down. It's so gorgeous all lit up at night with the towers in the background. Opens Dec 1st! We skated last year at the Natrel Rink on the river, but I think it's the lights overhead us while we skate at night that is the most enticing part.
9) A Good 'Ole Hockey Game. Last year husband took Gabriel to see his first real Marlie's game. So it's not the Leafs but it was just as exciting for Gabriel. And likely started a dream of a future career in hockey, I might add. So we are keen to go again. They are back in town on Nov 23rd, and playing Nov 30th, Dec 2nd, 6/7th, 13/14th. But you can find a schedule here. And tickets range between $10-55, so you know, a bit more affordable!
10) Nutcracker Ballet. I saw the Nutcracker once many many years ago, but as a university student, I was soooo zonked that I fell asleep. How terrible is that! So I am bound and determined to see it again. This time at Humberside Collegiate where it is kid-friendly in case we want to take the littles and affordable. On Dec 18/19 (7:30pm) or Dec 20/21 (2pm).
11) See a film couple date. Even if it's not Christmasy, the plan is to go on a movie day with husband. Maybe grab a hot chocolate before or after and catch a flick. One of our favorite little cinemas is a not-for-profit in Roncesvalles, called Revue. It's a cozy, one room theatre in a favorite neighborhood.
12) Grab the best Hot Chocolate in town. Whenever I think of winter, I think Hot Cocoa. And have we ever been getting our fill since the temperature dropped. But I'd like to scope out the best hot chocolate in town. I've got a few places on my list! Is it The Chocolateria in Roncesvalles? or Delight Chocolate in the Junction? We shall find out....
13) Casa Loma. We have never been to this illustrious castle but we have only heard wonderful things. A 100 years of Christmas? The Snow Queen, Santa, Winter Wonderland, Cookie decorating? In a beautiful stone castle? Sure! Starts Nov 27th-Dec 28th.
14) Window gazing at the Eaton Centre. We have heard that there are some beautiful window displays down there. Hoping we find that luxurious time to just wander around and let the kids look at the window displays downtown. Sometimes the most simple dates are the sweetest and most beautiful.
So I threw an extra in there for good measure. This is mostly just a wish-list and if we happen to cross most of them off, I'll be happy although we are aiming for the 12!
If you want to join us on our adventure to have 12 dates this Christmas no matter where you are, post your photos on facebook or instagram with the hashtag #12datesofxmas. The more simple the better, I say! We would love to see what you come up with! Enjoy your family time and your beautiful city no matter where you are.
xo
Light Up the Square Celebration - Saturday November 22
Warm your heart with holiday magic as the Square lights up for the first time this season. Mississauga Celebration Square will be transformed into the North Pole. Skate outdoors with a party DJ, take a photo with Santa, become an “elf in training”, learn the art of crafting and merry making, take an enchanting sleigh ride or hop onto the toy train! There will be curbside cuisine from food trucks and a Holiday Market. Mayor McCallion and Members of Council will be in attendance. Stage performances include Rebel Coast performs and Virginia to Vegas.
Celebration Square - 300 City Centre Drive – Mississauga, ON - See more at: http://mississaugakids.com/christmas-activities-mississauga/#sthash.q8D6X2ls.dpu
Warm your heart with holiday magic as the Square lights up for the first time this season. Mississauga Celebration Square will be transformed into the North Pole. Skate outdoors with a party DJ, take a photo with Santa, become an “elf in training”, learn the art of crafting and merry making, take an enchanting sleigh ride or hop onto the toy train! There will be curbside cuisine from food trucks and a Holiday Market. Mayor McCallion and Members of Council will be in attendance. Stage performances include Rebel Coast performs and Virginia to Vegas.
Celebration Square - 300 City Centre Drive – Mississauga, ON - See more at: http://mississaugakids.com/christmas-activities-mississauga/#sthash.q8D6X2ls.dpu
Light Up the Square Celebration - Saturday November 22
Warm your heart with holiday magic as the Square lights up for the first time this season. Mississauga Celebration Square will be transformed into the North Pole. Skate outdoors with a party DJ, take a photo with Santa, become an “elf in training”, learn the art of crafting and merry making, take an enchanting sleigh ride or hop onto the toy train! There will be curbside cuisine from food trucks and a Holiday Market. Mayor McCallion and Members of Council will be in attendance. Stage performances include Rebel Coast performs and Virginia to Vegas.
Celebration Square - 300 City Centre Drive – Mississauga, ON - See more at: http://mississaugakids.com/christmas-activities-mississauga/#sthash.q8D6X2ls.dpuf
Warm your heart with holiday magic as the Square lights up for the first time this season. Mississauga Celebration Square will be transformed into the North Pole. Skate outdoors with a party DJ, take a photo with Santa, become an “elf in training”, learn the art of crafting and merry making, take an enchanting sleigh ride or hop onto the toy train! There will be curbside cuisine from food trucks and a Holiday Market. Mayor McCallion and Members of Council will be in attendance. Stage performances include Rebel Coast performs and Virginia to Vegas.
Celebration Square - 300 City Centre Drive – Mississauga, ON - See more at: http://mississaugakids.com/christmas-activities-mississauga/#sthash.q8D6X2ls.dpuf
Mississauga Santa Claus Parade - Sunday November 30
The Historic Village of Streetsville will play host yet again to a favourite Mississauga Christmas event! There will be a crowd of about 60,000 along Queen Street for the Santa Claus Parade starting at 1 pm. There will be as many as 75 groups presenting floats, bands and entertainers. Mrs. Claus and Santa Claus will be in attendance! Please note Britannia Rd and Queen St. will be closed prior to and during the parade. - See more at: http://mississaugakids.com/christmas-activities-mississauga/#sthash.q8D6X2ls.dpufwz
The Historic Village of Streetsville will play host yet again to a favourite Mississauga Christmas event! There will be a crowd of about 60,000 along Queen Street for the Santa Claus Parade starting at 1 pm. There will be as many as 75 groups presenting floats, bands and entertainers. Mrs. Claus and Santa Claus will be in attendance! Please note Britannia Rd and Queen St. will be closed prior to and during the parade. - See more at: http://mississaugakids.com/christmas-activities-mississauga/#sthash.q8D6X2ls.dpufwz
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