We did not put up the Christmas tree this year.

Peter and I asked Olivia if she wanted the tree up and after a moment of quiet hesitation, she said “Nah.”

I recall she repeated it again. “Nah”.  The second time with more conviction.  I don’t blame her.  I know she’s too busy with school and extra-curricular activities that it would be too much work to help me put up the tree and at the end of the season, to take it down and pack away for next year.  I must admit, it is a lot of work for just a few weeks of celebration.

No matter that Peter and I always put up a tree, even before Olivia was born.  We didn’t put a lot of presents under the tree but we just liked the fact that it made the house smell nice and the Christmas lights gave the living room a festive air.

With Olivia, the number of presents under the tree grew and when I look back, we probably went a little overboard  (okay, maybe a lot overboard!) and spoiled her.  Anyway, I do have old family videos capturing moments of the precious looks of surprise of a two-year-old Olivia staring at a box that was bigger than herself.

Anyway, I think that this is the beginning of big changes ahead, of new adventures as she grows older.  Olivia doesn’t really want any presents and she is going to be busy studying for exams coming up in January.  It’s going to be a quiet Christmas holiday.

But, do not despair for me…! In the meantime, we have been celebrating Christmas in other ways…

We visited Leia (Olivia’s cousin) and her fellow baker, Grace, in their Christmas bake sale.  Kudos to these two emerging businesswomen!

We are going to visit the Christmas Market at the Distillery District and check out my dear friend Joya’s Second Door Studio in studio 103 in the Artscape Building.  If you are in Toronto, check it out!  The Christmas Market is on until December 23!  This beautiful piece just SOLD!!!

Finally, Christmas would not be complete without a glass of wine as I finish this blog…

On second thought… do you think I should still put up the Christmas tree?  Maybe if Olivia doesn’t want any presents, I can buy something for Peter…. ?

Leave me a comment!

Have a good rest of the weekend, everyone!

Debbie