Town Christmas Party

Last night, the boys and I headed into town for the annual tree lighting. This is one of my favourite parts of living in a small town. That party is put on by the local business association (and there is certainly a focus on the local business and buy, buy, buying!!) but somehow everyone manages to make the evening a little more balanced. The town Christmas tree is put up in the little park on Main street, and blazes to light after a countdown by everyone there. The local businesses and service clubs offer free hot chocolate, cider, cookies, and hot dogs. There are candy canes galore, horse and buggy rides through town, carollers, a live Nativity scene complete with goats, and beautifully decorated windows - the candy store and bakery were favourites, of course! Most of all, you cannot take 10 steps along the street without meeting friends or neighbours. It is a lovely chance to chat, to say hello to people that you don't see every day, and to feel part of something - what a wonderful community we belong to. We stayed up way past bedtime, ate far too many sweets, and had a lovely time. The Holiday Season has officially begun!!!