holiday check list

i look forward to the xmas holiday season.  i like the hustle and bustle of people everywhere.  i like choosing and decorating the xmas tree.  i like the holiday treats.  i like the xmas music.  i like the holiday festivities happening in the city. 

 

yet, once the holidays are here, i forget to do most of what i love about the season.  so, with 12 days left to xmas here’s hoping i can check off each and every item on my holiday to do list (wishful thinking, i know):

 

* listen to xmas music every day
okay, i will be more realistic, listen to xmas music most days.  my personal favourite is ella fitzgerald.  however, i am coveting a very she and him christmas by zoooey deschanel and m. ward; zooey has a voice made for xmas music.

 

* bake and decorate cookies
with the help of the lovely melanie, i could check this item off my to do list but alas once isn’t enough.  i have never been a cook and certainly not a baker so i can’t fully explain my intense urge to partake in more baking and decorating.  two such occasions are already in the planning.  i. cannot. wait!  and if they are any good, maybe i can actually give them as gifts (that would be amazing).

 

* drive around and look at the lights
it never fails, a fully decked out house in xmas lights and decorations puts a smile on my face.  i can’t help it.  i hear the strathcona neighbourhood is a good one for just this activity. 



image from a home in surrey



* watch xmas movies
thus far i have only watched elf – hilarious every single time.  i envision lighting the fire and enjoying some classics (new and old) like how the grinch stole christmas, the polar express, a christmas carol, miracle on 34th street, and it's a wonderful life.

 

* walk the capilano suspension bridge
the park looks magical all lit up for the holidays.  i have always wanted to go but could never actually hand over the monies for the entrance fee.  maybe this year is the year. 

  

* visit the gingerbread houses taking up residence downtown
take an afternoon to visit hyatt’s gingerbread lane… followed by some lunch at one of the many downtown restaurants and perhaps some shopping too.  now, that sounds like a nice afternoon.

 

* stroll the grounds of vandusen botanical gardens while drinking hot chocolate
their annual festival of lights is pretty awesome; dancing lights and candy cane lane.

if you know of any other vancouver festivities that should be put on my check list, do let me know.  what's on your holiday check list?

have a lovely weekend.