it’s snowing, for reals

So it’s actually really truly snowing right now in Montreal. It was threatening to get ugly all last month, but today it has finally decided to start dumping. Back in Alberta I was used to getting snow around Halloween, and getting nostalgic for Winter far too early. By mid November I was usually sick of the entire thing and bitter with cold and spite by Christmas. Thankfully, I have been treated to a winter a little more reminiscent of the touchy-feely christmas movies.

That being said, I am finally starting to think back to all the lovely things that the holiday seasons has to offer. I will list these things, in hopes I won’t become jaded by the weather before I have a chance to enjoy.

Danish Butter Cookie Tins:

My lovely girlfriend and I stumbled upon these for sale at a grocery store and I almost flipped. The tins from my childhood, would always be a mystery. Would they contain cookies? Or Random junk your grandma is apprehensive to throw away? Almost the only time you were guaranteed cookies is around the holiday season, since having these delicious little butter treats in the house year round can really do a number on your waistline.

Nut Platters:

What other time of the year warrants giant plastic dishes of various assorted snack items? If you weren’t hosting your entire extended family, why else would you need to have a kilogram of assorted nuts on your coffee table, partitioned off in to their individual type and seasoning style? Of course Aunt Beth just hates BBQ peanuts, but eats all the candied ones and wipes her dirty fingers on the upholstery. And of course, everyone has their nut fix and will pick away at their favourite until it’s all gone, then they move on until there is nothing left except the Brazil nuts. 

Eggnog :

 As a child, I loved to plug things in. My parents let me plug in the tree if I was good, and one year while decorating the tree, I plugged in something that I shouldn’t have. Yes, in attempt to do good by my parents, I plugged in a cord that was just bare wire at the end. Apparently my father wanted to make the string of lights longer, and decided to do some DIY wiring. This plugging in of bare wire seems to coincide with the only Christmas that I DON’T remember drinking eggnog until I puked.

Candied Popcorn:

I’d like to personally thank whomever it was that invented candied popcorn. Another holiday snack that tends to come in a very cool tin, candied popcorn is another holiday tradition of taking some that isn’t very good for you, and making it worse. Luckily, as opposed to something like deep-fried mac and cheese, this double bad combo is actually fun to eat, not utterly depressing.

Huge Meals:

A thing I have missed since moving to Montreal is free meals. Luckily for me and my wonderful girlfriend, we can cook. Most young artists living in the big city eat a lot of take out, so I can’t complain too much, but cooking for yourself can still get tiresome/expensive. This all changes when the holidays roll around, as my family is usually prone to cooking up a fantastic feast of epic proportions. Yes, no more eating sardines and crackers for lunch, I look forward to wonderful meals prepared by my parents stuffed pantry and fridge. While I know it is sometimes easy to feel guilty about the gluttony of the holidays, it is really hard to beat collapsing on your couch into a food induced coma. 

Holiday Specials:

This time of year is kind of a double edged sword for television fans. Holiday Special junkies get their sweet fix of festive tube, but regular TV junkies have their favorite shows pushed to different time slots for Charlie Brown and other animated shenanigans. This is good for me however, considering I dislike most television, and would much rather watch braindead animated reconstructions of Holiday fables jazzed up for the internet generation, than any manner of reality television. If all else fails there will always be a rerun of one of your favorite cartoons from the 80’s.

Well, that is all I care to type for now. Catch you later. And for all of those who care, I’ll be in Alberta on Friday morning!!!

Tags: 80s, christmas, christmas special, christmas specials, cookies, holiday, holidays, john denver, nuts, popcorn, snow, winter, xmas