Ok, I am not a big fan of the commercial aspect of Christmas. If you ask me, the retail industry is nuts. The whole gift giving idea is completely out of control.
Yet for some reason, there is still a part of me (and in many others who feel the same way, I’m sure) which still gets into some part of the whole Christmas thing. Even as a non-religious person.
It boggles my mind. But it’s true.
It also boggles my friends’ minds. But whatev.
Yet I still do it. Participate in some of it I mean. Like the cookies. I bake traditional Swiss Christmas cookies to instill some sort of swiss-inspired Christmas memory into my kids. I guess. And maybe also because I like the taste of them. Or to keep the tradition alive. Or to do something different. The cookies I grew up with are different from the ones you get or make here.
I also like going to the craft shows. I actually went to a really popular one just the other day. But I’m going to argue right here and now that this particular craft show is less about Christmas and more about local, small-business, and entrepreneur-type artisans who showcase and sell their hand-made items. The show I’m referring to is aptly called One-of-a-Kind. The show’s logo is actually a finger print. I find this very clever.
This show is very popular in Toronto this time of year. They actually do it twice a year, the other one being in the springtime around Easter (another Christian holiday that has gone out of control within the retail sector). We went on a Monday during the day and the lineup was like a mile long…
Anyway. My parents enjoy going to this show every year. And every year, they invite me. And this year, I invited my friend and her newborn baby to join us as well.
And it was nice! I had the toddler and newborn with me, but because there were enough adults around, things went quite well. Benjamin loved hanging out with his grandparents, pushing the second stroller, and for the most part behaved himself even though his Grosmami spoiled him with this (what’s left of it):
Contrary to what it looks like, it was actually a gingerbread cookie. Do I really have to mention that the original was the size of his face?
Despite the sugar overload, we had a really nice time. If there is one place where I would spend money on beautifying my home, this craft show certainly would cater to many of my tastes.
None of the items are made in China. Or Bengladesh. Or are factory produced. All the art is original. Each item of which there was more than one available for sale is quite obviously slightly different. They had things there that not only I would purchase, they at the same time inspired me to seek out my own artsy ambition which has been dormant for many months and years.
But back to this whole Christmas thing. I purchased two very cute little tree ornaments, one for my little nephew who will celebrate his first Christmas this year many miles away from me, and one that my own toddler picked out (and changed his mind over several times, but that in itself is a whole other post).
Oh, and did I mention the delectable chocolates? And maple syrup products? Oi…
It was a nice day.
