Meridian Source - Season's Greetings 2020

Christmas 2018 - A supplement of the

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Merry Christmas to you and yours!

EDITOR Taylor Weaver

Well, what a year that was!

Looking back, it’s amazing to think 2020 started off as a relatively normal year, but three months in, and everything changed.

What have I learned since last March? A great many things, actually, but I think one of my biggest take-aways is that life as we knew it has changed, and it’s up to us to make the best of it.

Year after year, we talk about family traditions we had growing up and how they helped define who we

are as people.

Well, due to COVID-19, it’s safe to say we’re going to be redefining those traditions this year, as many of them involved gatherings greater than five people.

I would normally make the trip to Ontario to visit my mom and brother, or go west to Canmore and visit my dad ... but this year, it was collectively decided my best course of action would be to stay right here in the Border City, and I’m looking forward to it.

Christmas can mean 100 different things to 100 different people, but when it comes down to it, it’s not about gifts; it’s about

(responsibly) spending time with friends, family and loved ones.

That will look different this year, as many Canadians plan on utilizing video-conferencing apps such as Zoom to stay connected to each other.

Sure, the boss might not be able to host the annual Christmas party, but the expression “better safe than sorry” comes to mind when thinking about party situations!

We all want things to go back to normal, as quickly as possible, but for me, I’m going to make the most of things just as they are now!

I already have a Christmas dinner lined up at my

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neighbour’s place (don’t worry, the numbers adhere to provincial guidelines), and oh boy am I excited for turkey, AND ham!

Maybe I’ll finish the Craig Ferguson memoir my mom gifted me after I interviewed, photographed and met Craig in person at the Vic Juba Community Theatre. Maybe I’ll take up snowboarding again? I’ve already been asked if I’m interested in volunteering at Mount Joy this year.

Then again, maybe I won’t do any of that.

Maybe I’ll start my own Christmas traditions ... a Festivus for the rest of us!

Nah, that’s already been done!

Merry Christmas to all!

A message from the mayor H

ere we are, weeks before Christmas, and we’ve been blessed with a beautiful covering of snow.

Some are very happy

with the snowfall, children, snowmobile owners and those who cross-country ski.

Many residents would be grateful if the snow took its time in coming.

As I reflect on my youth, I looked forward to a new snowfall covering up the brown and often, I spent time wondering what might be under the tree on Christmas morning, maybe a sleigh or a new snowsuit.

The thoughts of Christmas often make us think of presents, but it means so much more.

As we celebrate the

birth of Christ, we gather together with friends and family, however possible.

For our family, it will mean spending time on a video call with our children.

COVID, at this moment, has the potential to disrupt many things. I pray that it won’t disrupt your peace and that together we’ll face what is coming.

We may have different opportunities this year to reach out to others in need, opportunities to connect with neighbours and those whose needs are made known to us, to make sure that we care for each other.

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Christmas is a time to remember, celebrate and to create traditions.

Take time to make Christmas memorable for those close to you.

This year it may mean sending a care package to those we can’t get together.

Take time to listen to music that awakens memories and remembrance of good times.

The Red Kettle Campaign and donations to other organizations are also ways to help others.

Many will need Christmas Hampers and some Christmas cheer.

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A message from Mayor Aalbers File Photo FROM PAGE 4

As we face these uncharted, unfamiliar times, I hope you will join me in reaching out to neighbours and friends who may be alone this season.

Wishing someone a Merry Christmas can help

bring a spark of joy.

On behalf of my wife Christine and our family, I want to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas, and we pray blessings and joy fills 2021!

- Mayor Gerald S. Aalbers, City of Lloydminster

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Gift ideas that boost festive cheer

The holiday season is a time to relax, unwind, spend time with family and friends and celebrate.

Although a lot has changed and traditions may look different this year, there is no better feeling than finding and surprising a loved one with that perfect gift.

Holiday shopping can be add to the stress of the season, as it can be

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hard to find the time, but shopping online from the comfort of your home allows for flexibility and ease.

Whether you’re shopping for yourself, family members near and far, or spreading cheer to a local neighbour, here are some inspiring ideas!

Self-care. Give the gift that keeps on giving with some self-care routines in the comfort of home.

Stock up on extra face masks, nail polish, bath bombs and soaps.

These products and gift sets are great for homemade gift baskets, or just to give on their own.

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Stocking stuffers.

Stocking stuffers don’t have to be boring, they can really act more like mini gifts.

From the new Quo cosmetics makeup brushes, to the latest fragrances and Dyson hair tools and accessories, these beauty essentials are a great way to end the season.

Don’t forget about sweets treats and all

the festive confectionary items, because let’s be honest, chocolate is always a good idea.

Electronics for one and all. The ease of online shopping means more time spent with those you love during the holiday season.

Cross off those wishlist items by getting everything in one shop, from wireless headphones, to the newest video games and accessories, tablets, digital cameras and more.

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Keeping family traditions alive

The holidays are here and while this year may feel a bit different, it’s important to keep our family traditions alive.

Every family has their

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own set of traditions that has been passed down from generation to generation, as well as new ones created each year.

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Many of our customs are centred around food – whether it’s mom’s decadent chocolate yule log, nana’s savoury sausage rolls, or nonna’s famous cappelletti soup, you don’t have to miss out on those special treats just because our celebrations might need to change.

Let’s go virtual – If you’re unable to gather with friends and family, take your traditions

online. Prepare for your virtual get-together by hanging your stockings and decorating your tree.

Organize an epic gift exchange and traditional potluck.

You can make a few porch drops ahead of jumping online with your crew for some festive cheer. Or you can share your favourite recipes ahead of time so that everyone is able to enjoy the same dishes.

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Secret’s out of the bag – Secret family recipes are a seasonal staple, but at some point all recipes need to be passed down to the next generation so the traditions can live on.

This year, have the keeper of those precious family recipes host a virtual cooking class to walk close family members through the steps so that everyone can still enjoy the coveted dish this year.

Keep active – Holidaytime can be stressful and we may be eating a little more than normal, so it’s important to try to maintain regular physical activity.

Spending time outside with family can do you a world of good, So go build that snowman or orga-

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nize a snowball fight – two great socially distanced activities.

You can also bundle up for a walk around your neighbourhood to see all the twinkling lights or go skating at a local outdoor rink.

Sip smart – With multiple virtual events planned you’re likely going to find yourself enjoying foods and beverages with higher sugar content. Eggnog and other festive drinks contain more sugar than you may realize.

Enjoy them, but in moderation. Have one of your favourite cocktails, then switch to sparkling water flavoured with fresh fruit and herbs, such as cranberries and rosemary for a festive touch.

With baking and investing, the right mix is key

What does a festive delicacy like fruitcake have in common with investing? More than you might think, according to RBC Direct Investing.

It’s your choice of ingredients that makes the mix especially your own – in your cake batter and in

your investment portfolio.

And just like one person’s perfect fruitcake may be soaked with brandy and another’s studded with nuts, an ideal portfolio balance will be different for everyone.

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First, a bit about the fruitcake tradition.

In medieval England, Christmas (plum) pudding originated as a boiled concoction that contained raisins, other dried fruit, eggs, suet, treacle or molasses, and sweet spices like cinnamon and ginger.

Not much later, a sur-

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plus of sugar led to the practice of candying fruit to preserve it, and soon glacĂŠ fruit become the rage in British fruitcake.

And that practice of dousing fruitcake with a good glug of brandy, rum or whisky became another way to keep cakes fresh for longer.

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Investing wisely over the holidays FROM PAGE 12

Your portfolio can benefit from inherited wisdom, too.

For example, maximizing yields while minimizing risks is a truth your grandmother might have passed down with her recipes, although exactly how to get there can be less obvious.

Tradition might suggest a mix of fixed-income investments, stocks and cash, but how that aligns with your individual goals or aversion to risk is up to you.

Consider your own needs just as you would

your taste in desserts.

If you’re a young investor, perhaps you’re more comfortable with taking on added risk with the hope of greater rewards and extra time to make up for downturns.

More mature investors who are closer to retirement may well prefer to take on less risk, opting instead to make safety a bigger priority.

No matter your risk tolerance, exploring your options can be a great learning opportunity.

Bake that cake, balance your portfolio and enjoy the holidays.

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Give greener gifts this holiday season The traditions we embrace this time of year so often come wrapped in layers of paper, reams of plastic and mountains of disposable shopping bags – which all have a negative impact on our planet.

In a typical year, Canadians will see household waste increase by 25 per cent between November and New Year’s Day. Gift wrap and shopping bags are the biggest culprits, sending about

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5 4 5 ,0 0 0 t o n n e s t o t h e landfill every year.

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COVID-19 has made th i s y e a r a n y t h i ng b u t typical.

Across the country, household waste is steadily increasing thanks to the return of single-use items like masks and gloves, a summer full of home renovations and a dramatic rise in online shopping.

How can we enjoy giv-

ing, while caring for our planet? Here are five ways to help keep the green in Christmas!

Carry re-usable shopping bags – It’s a no brainer.

And if you’re concerned about getting mincemeat on that new sweater for grandma, keep some for groceries, and others only for gifts.

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Skip the wrapping – Choose re-usable gift bags or give an outdoor experience. Consider a Parks Canada pass for the family, or a foraging tour gift certificate for your foodie friend. Most people would relish time spent with you.

Give love, not socks – Honour a loved one with a meaningful gift in their name through the World Vision gift catalogue.

There’s something to reflect every interest and personality. Many people prefer this to a wrapped gift.

Re-gift or buy second hand – Set the tone by inviting others to do this for you.

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Thrift shops can be filled with treasures, many of which are nearly new, and they’re much less hectic than the malls.

Think homemade – You don’t need to be a DIY diva to make a gift with impact. Sweet treats like chocolate bark or spritz cookies are always a welcome festive present. Get crafty and make some new ornaments for the tree. The love that goes into your gift will go a long way.

Aside from saving on money and gas, you might find your stress level is lower, too. You’ll also have time to breathe in that crisp December air – knowing you’re helping keep it that way.

Movie night, anyone?

Movie nights make for the best evenings, especially with family.

But as the weather cools down and movie nights tend to get more frequent, keep things fun and fresh by upping your game and create memorable experiences.

Here are a few ideas!

Movie marathon This year it’s more important than ever to start new family traditions and create fun within the home. To get into the festive spirit, plan to watch movies for each of the 10 nights leading up to Christmas.

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Have each member of the family suggest a couple of options so everyone can enjoy.

Snacks We can’t have movie nights without popcorn.

Whether it’s straight out of the bag or used in creative recipes, it’s definitely a movie-night staple.

Movie trivia Spice things up a little

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bit by challenging your family to movie trivia.

This game is a fun and different way to spend some of your holiday evenings together.

During one (or all) of your movie nights as a family, have each person write down some questions throughout the movie.

Afterwards, keep score of who gets most of the questions right.

How to celebrate Christmas in a pandemic

Like everything else in 2020, the holidays are going to look different this year.

Health Canada has recommended against travelling or gathering indoors to celebrate, which means

many of us will be obligated to simplify our celebrations.

It can feel disappointing not being able to celebrate with all the usual trappings of the season.

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But don’t let that spoil your Christmas spirit.

Focus on what you can do.

The whole family might not be able to gather at grandma’s house this year for turkey and stuffing, but a gathering with your household might be an opportunity to connect more deeply and make

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some wonderful new memories.

Embrace the differences and focus on what really matters – the health of our friends and family, and the love we share.

Here are five ways you can celebrate what’s most important this year!

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Less is more – Make a list of all the ways you like to celebrate. Decide what you can skip this year and what you can adjust. You might find that getting creative with your plans gets the festive spirit flowing.

Give of yourselves together – Connect with a local retirement home or food bank to see how you can safely help.

A neighbour’s walkway, shovelled in surprise, can make a wonderful gift.

Tie a note to the shovel wishing them a Merry Christmas.

Share an old tradition – What did you love doing as a child? Cut out snowflakes together and

decorate the front window. What about watching all the old TV specials, like the original How the Grinch Stole Christmas?

Start a new tradition – Perhaps it’s skating in the park on Christmas Eve, then toasting marshmallows over the barbecue.

Or have a family slumber party under the tree.

Brainstorm with your kids.

Change a life together – Share your holiday spirit with a family on the other side of the world. Perusing the World Vision gift catalogue is great tradition in many homes.

Imagine the excitement a child will feel when those piglets, chickens or fruit trees are delivered.

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Reduce holiday stress

In an ordinary year, the holidays can be stressful.

This year, the global pandemic means smaller family gatherings, fewer special events for work or community groups, and more online shopping than ever.

It also means a new

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kind of stress, with questions about how to celebrate and stay safe and grief for not being near all our loved ones — all while trying to keep ourselves occupied after months of social distancing.

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The Canadian Psychological Association recommends that we get ahead of holiday stress.

They suggest we review our expectations, pace ourselves and try to focus on what really matters.

Here are five things to consider.

Focus on outcomes you can control — like how you feel about an event or situation. Focus on your own fun and the love you want to share.

Other people’s responses are beyond your control.

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Enjoy a stress-free holiday FROM PAGE 23

Don’t lose all sense of reason. Sure, Christmas comes but once a year.

But that doesn’t mean you need to bake everything in grandma’s recipe book or purchase your kids’ entire list.

Leave a margin. It can be tempting to pack our days full to distract ourselves from the hard things. But leave yourself some breathing room.

You’ll feel more human, and your family will thank you.

Look for meaning.

Many of us prefer charitable gifts that can be

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ordered online in our pajamas. The World Vision gift catalogue or your local food bank offer ways to warm hearts while changing the world.

Ask for help. If, despite your best efforts, you still feel sad, anxious or overwhelmed, reach out to your doctor for help. The holiday season is a time when emotion comes to the forefront, and that can be difficult.

Remember to look after yourself as you enjoy spending time with the lucky ones in your bubble.

You deserve to enjoy this time of year, not simply endure it.

Winter-break activities for the kids

There’s the busy lead-up to Christmas, the happy frenzy of the day itself and that sweet spot afterwards, when children’s gifts are still new and interesting. But most kids get two weeks off school, and because of COVID-19,

many families have been home for months already.

It’s easy to default to Netflix to watch another movie or play one more videogame, but these can leave some climbing the walls after awhile.

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May your days be Merry and Bright!

LEO’S PREFAB & WELDING 2001 LTD.

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Christmas fun for kids

If you’re home with your kids, there are many things to do to fill the time.

Many involve learning something together – not a bad idea for kids who’ll need to think again in January.

Here are five things to do over the winter break!

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Take advantage of free activities.

Check the “What’s on?” schedule for your community. Community centres, libraries, public parks and rinks often have great ways to spend time together both outdoors and virtually.

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Download an educational app or two.

Try giving your kids a series of challenges to complete. Google Earth can take them anywhere in the world. What are five things they see when standing beside Big Ben? Deliver a gift overseas.

The World Vision gift catalogue offers a window into the lives of kids in developing countries.

Have your child browse the site and select a gift from your family to theirs.

Your donation before December 31 means a 2020 tax receipt.

Read a new book together.

You can read together or individually, then chat

about the latest chapter at dinnertime each day.

Which character do they like best? Can they guess what will happen next? If a new book arrived under the tree, there’s no better time to crack it open.

Be a socially distant local tourist.

Is there a part of the city you haven’t visited? A nearby town you’d like to see? Pack a lunch, then hit the road. Document the day with pictures.

Come the first day of school, kids are often asked to write about what they did on their vacation.

They may not have been to Florida this year, but they will have had some interesting experiences with you.

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Inspiring ideas to create festive cheer at home Staying home for the holidays doesn’t need to be a sacrifice. Take the opportunity and transform your space and how you experience it. Light up all your senses this holiday season with these simple ideas.

Sight There’s something so nostalgic and comforting about the multicoloured glow of Christmas lights on a dark winter night.

Treat the inside of your home the same way. Think of new surfaces to string with lights and brighten up your space with their twinkle.

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Smell Prepare a selection of scented candles and rotate between them each day. Consider focusing on scents you associate with specific memories—the smell will take you back to those moments in ways your other senses can’t.

Sound Music is the perfect partner to festive cheer.

Whether you’re looking for classic carols or simply something that gets the party going, the SiriusXM app has channels and program suited to all styles of holiday fun.

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Compatible with your connected devices, the streaming service is an efficient way to fill your space with the sounds of the holidays.

Touch Doing something tactile can really help you get out of your head and be mindful in the moment.

Take a walk through nature to find items you can craft with, like pinecones and tree branches.

Bring them home and have some fun spray painting them to create festive decorations for your tree or mantle.

Taste Take the opportunity the holidays offer to revisit favourite treats, but also make a point of trying a new flavour in each part of the meal—appetizer, side dish or dessert. Blend fond memories with new experiences, all without stepping foot outside.

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Balancing the holidays when working from home

Odds are, your festive décor last year didn’t include that quarterly earnings report or stack of expenses to be processed.

But, just because you’re working remotely doesn’t mean you can’t create a holiday home fit for Pinterest.

With just a few simple additions, you can transform your home office for the season.

Stocking stuffers with a twist – Incorporate office organization into your seasonal style.

Hang cheerful stockings over your workstation and sort files and papers into them. Keep pens and paperclips tidy in your favourite holiday mug on your desk.

The right desk ornaments for the holidays –

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Perfect for a small desk setup at home, you can create a mini tabletop tree in three simple steps.

First, gather a foam cone, pinecones and wired floral picks. Second, wrap the wire tightly around the base of the pinecones.

Third, attach each pinecone side-by-side starting at the base and ending at the peak. Once completed, the tree will add some woodsy charm to any workspace.

Mobile workspace – Any corner of your perfectly decorated home can be a workspace with the right laptop. Choose a model like the LG Gram – it’s lightweight enough that it can be used anywhere and powerful enough to get the job done, thanks to its all-day battery life.

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