Christmas Cheer: Canadian Kids' Holiday Traditions

Christmas is a big holiday for many Canadian children, who believe in Santa Claus and eagerly await his visit on the night of the 24th. On Christmas Day, they wake up to find presents and candy in their stockings or under the Christmas tree. Many Canadian families put up a Christmas tree and decorate their homes with lights, and some families also hang Christmas stockings for each member. Christmas in Canada is a time for family, feasting, and exchanging gifts, with popular dishes including roast turkey, mashed potatoes, and cranberry sauce.

Christmas tree decorations

Christmas tree purchasing and decorating is a beloved tradition in Canada. Families come together to adorn their trees with a variety of ornaments, creating a beautiful display that embodies the joy of the holiday season. Whether the tree is real or artificial, the goal remains the same: to transform it into a dazzling centerpiece for their homes.

The ornaments themselves can be store-bought or handmade, with some families opting for a modern aesthetic with 2-3 types of ornaments in silver, white, or dark blue. Others embrace a more eclectic approach, hanging a diverse array of decorations, from candy canes to little angels. It is not uncommon to find ornaments with special meanings, such as those commemorating a baby's first Christmas or showcase family photos.

Beyond the ornaments, Christmas lights are a crucial element of tree decoration. They can be wrapped around the tree, with some pre-lit artificial trees even coming with built-in lights. Tinsel is another popular addition, along with a star or angel perched atop the tree, serving as the final touch.

The process of decorating the Christmas tree is often a heartwarming family affair, with loved ones taking turns to hang ornaments and create lasting memories. The tree then becomes the focal point for gift-giving, with presents piled beneath it, waiting to be unwrapped on Christmas morning.

In Canada, the Christmas tree is more than just a decoration; it symbolizes the magic of the season, bringing families together and sparking joy in the hearts of children and adults alike.

Santa Claus

In anticipation of his visit, children leave a glass of milk and a plate of cookies for Santa to eat when he gets to their house to deliver the presents. On Christmas morning, children wake up to find their stockings filled with small toys, candy and, in the past, fruit.

The Toronto Santa Claus Parade is a long-standing tradition, dating back to 1913, and is the oldest and largest parade of its kind in the world. Volunteers dress up in winter- and Christmas-themed costumes and march alongside school bands and large floats on a special route through the city. The final float features Santa Claus himself, waving to the crowd and giving his famous "Ho Ho Ho" cheer.

Christmas meals

Christmas is a time for families in Canada to come together and celebrate with a feast. The traditional Christmas meal is similar to Thanksgiving and usually consists of roast turkey, gravy, stuffing, vegetables, cranberry sauce, and a variety of desserts.

The day often starts with a cooked breakfast, such as ham and eggs or pancakes, and is followed by a large dinner. The meal typically includes a stuffed or dressed roast turkey, potatoes, a selection of seasonal vegetables, and cranberry sauce. Gravy is also added for extra flavour.

There are a variety of desserts to choose from, including Christmas favourites such as plum pudding, mincemeat tarts, and rich fruit cake. Pumpkin pie, trifle cake, and butter tarts are also popular choices.

During the day, a variety of sweet and savoury snacks are served, including candy, oranges or mandarins, nuts, and shortbread. Eggnog, a thick, yellowish beverage made with eggs and nutmeg, is also a festive favourite, often enjoyed with a splash of rum.

Many Canadians also incorporate foods from their diverse cultural backgrounds into their Christmas meals, such as perogies from the Ukrainian community.

Christmas parades

Attending parades is a long-standing tradition for Canadian children during the Christmas season. The Toronto Santa Claus Parade, for instance, is the oldest and largest parade in the world, with over 25 floats and about 2000 volunteers. It started in 1913 and has grown in popularity and importance over the years, bringing people together regardless of their background to celebrate hope, family, and love. The parade usually starts in Christie Pits Park and travels east along Bloor Street, then south on Spadina Avenue, and continues on a set route through downtown Toronto. Volunteers dress up in winter- and Christmas-themed costumes and march alongside school bands and large floats. Children get to see enlarged, animated versions of their favourite characters, sports teams, stores, and toys on the floats. The most special float of all is the last one, in which Santa Claus appears on his sleigh to wave to everyone and give his famous "Ho Ho Ho" cheer.

In addition to the Toronto Santa Claus Parade, there are numerous other Santa Claus parades held across Canada in cities such as Brampton, Oakville, Milton, Oshawa, Newcastle, Beaverton, Uxbridge, Bowmanville, Whitby, Pickering, Ajax, Cannington, and many more. These parades often feature colourful floats, bands, dancers, clowns, costumed characters, and, of course, Santa Claus himself. Some parades have specific themes, such as "Holiday Movie and Icons" or "Christmas in the Movies," and they may include activities like gingerbread house building and the sale of light-up reindeer noses to fund the parade. The parades are typically organised by local communities, schools, walking groups, and commercial businesses, bringing joy to members of the community as they come together to celebrate the Christmas festivities.

Christmas stockings

Stockings are often hung above the fireplace, as is commonly seen in movies. However, not all homes have a fireplace, so they may be hung elsewhere. On Christmas morning, children wake up to find their stockings filled with treats and trinkets. This is in addition to the larger presents that are placed under the Christmas tree and opened later in the day.

The tradition of hanging stockings is believed to originate from the story of a father who lost his fortune and could not afford to pay the dowry for his three daughters. On Christmas Eve, as the daughters' stockings dried by the fireplace, Saint Nicholas dropped a bag of gold coins down the chimney, which landed in one of the stockings. This allowed the eldest daughter to marry. The story spread, and the tradition of hanging stockings at Christmas began.

Stockings are a fun part of Christmas for children, who eagerly anticipate the treats and small gifts they will receive. It is a tradition that adds to the excitement and magic of the holiday season.

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