By MPP Bobbi Ann Brady
The Christmas season is far more than just a festive time; it’s an opportunity for honouring past cherished traditions and creating new ones.
My mentor and predecessor, Toby Barrett, asked staff to write about our memories and traditions for his Christmas column each year. So, in honouring Toby’s tradition, I asked my wonderful staff to share their thoughts.
Mike, my communications advisor in Toronto, remembers large family gatherings at both grandparents’ homes; plenty of hockey at outdoor rinks and tobogganing wherever there was a hill; the excitement of getting toys before the real meaning of Christmas was understood; and, when everyone including retail stores, corporations, and governments called it Christmas instead of the meaningless and empty “holiday” substitute. What hasn’t changed for him is the great food and festive camaraderie that permeates this time of year.
My scheduler extraordinaire Danielle has similar feelings as Christmas has always meant spending time with family. Growing up it meant an orange in her stocking, usually surrounded by hard candies covered in stocking fuzz and small dishes filled with nuts. Now it means still finding an orange in her stocking and filling up the stockings of her kids with special treats and little dishes of chocolate covered nuts. Throughout the years, no matter what changes, the day always remains filled with love and family.
Heather, my constituency assistant, believes it is a time to pause and appreciate the little things, like quirky family traditions. In her family’s case, acting silly and not their age makes the holidays unforgettable and the best stories to share for years to come. They literally break out in dance with their niece while their nephews shake their heads. She feels it’s not about the gifts, it’s about family and friends getting together, making memories, and sharing old memories. She also remembers those who are struggling or falling on hard times.
Tina, another fine constituency assistant, also believes in remembering the less fortunate. She gives a little bit more when she sees people at the Christmas kettles. Last year marked the first year without the beloved patriarch of her family. This year, Tina and her sisters will grace the doorsteps of many family and friends and bring Christmas joy through song. As a child, she always told her friends that her house was one of Santa’s first stops. Every year after loading into the car for Christmas Eve mass, her Dad would have “forgotten to shave,” and they would wait patiently to leave. When they got home, Santa had already been there. And as teens, her family would often go caroling or be involved in a Christmas show at her church. As long as there was music, her family was involved.
Our high school co-op student Leland recalls, despite snow on the ground or rain melting it all away, Christmas was always the greatest time of year to conjure up unforgettable memories. One of his earlier childhood Christmas memories was spending time with his mom’s side of the family at his great aunt’s house. He remembers the decorations set out across all corners of her house along with the savory smell of turkey roasting in the oven. It always felt like a unique atmosphere that he never felt during any other time of the year. But none of it compares to seeing his cousin with whom he had a close bond and was the main source of Christmas magic every year. He remains the number one reason Leland looks forward to Christmas family reunions.
For me, I look forward to preparing Christmas dinner for my family and sitting down to enjoy reflections on Christmas past. My brother’s impersonations of Chevy Chase from Christmas Vacation never get old. “We’re gonna have the hap-hap-happiest Christmas…”— Clark Griswold.
From Team Brady, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy 2025.
Bobbi Ann Brady is the MPP for Haldimand-Norfolk