It's the most wonderful time of the year.Christmas is a time to give and a time to spend with family, friends and loved ones. It's the little things that count at Christmastime.
Spending time with my family, my boyfriend, his family, and of course my guinea pig, four cats and two dogs is what I look forward to most.
But I also look forward to giving, eating goodies and home cooked meals, decorating, watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas in new pyjamas, and bundling up to venture out in the snow.
But what do Sundre residents look forward to most at Christmastime?
Jim Hall looks forward to winding down and spending time with his family after working several hours removing snow for the Town of Sundre.
“I'm on call through Christmas for the town so I just get to stay here and snowplow if the snow comes down. But I just like the fact that everything kind of slows down a little bit and we get a little bit of a breather,” said Hall.
Rebecca Trotter looks forward to Christmas pudding, Yorkshire pudding, listening to Bob and Doug McKenzie's 12 Days of Christmas and watching Sound of Music Scrooged with Bill Murray.
Cindy De Smit looks forward to the annual Sundown in Sundre event.
“How our whole town comes together and just lights right up. From helicopters to fire trucks and Santa, cookies and yummies from business to business, just warm welcoming feeling everywhere you go,” said De Smit.
Jenna Grant enjoys volunteering for Sundre's Santa's Anonymous program.
“The feeling you get from being involved is one of a kind,” said Grant.
Sarah Kennedy enjoys seeing the difference the Santa's Anonymous hampers make for Sundre families in need.
Everett Bourgonje enjoys singing Christmas carols at River Valley School during the week before Christmas break.
Julie Sandilands looks forward to watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation with her family.
“It's always good to unwind and watch an oldie but a goodie!” said Sandilands.
Crystal Webb looks forward to her mother's homemade mash potato soup.
“We only get it on Christmas Eve and the recipe is secret,” said Webb.
Jessika Lennox enjoys getting into the Christmas spirit.
“Most people seem to have more compassion and understanding at Christmastime. I just wish it would continue year-round,” said Lennox.
Gary Milewicz looks forward to the Christmas light display set up about five miles west of town.
“Christmas dinner with my family and all the smiles on everyone's faces. Can't beat that,” said Heather Fike.
Debra King enjoys being surrounded with family, friends, laughter and good food.
“Sitting in the evening looking at the Christmas tree in all its splendour, feeling so incredibly thankful for this place we live, the freedom to say Merry Christmas to everyone I meet, and knowing that because of Christmas we have hope for eternity,” said King.
Christmas can be a difficult time for some people, but it isn't about spending money. Giving doesn't have to come in big packages. It's the little things that count at Christmastime.
After all, it's the most wonderful time of the year.
Merry Christmas Sundre!
