Before plunging into the New Year I took some time to reflect, not just on the past year, but on our holiday season. Something about the holidays facilitates bonding, not just with people, but also with places.

While our first few Christmases in China were hard, we’ve grown to appreciate what they have to offer, but at this time of year we miss home more than ever. So I thought I’d make a list, not just of what I miss about Canada, but also what I love about Christmas in China.

3 Things I Miss About Christmas in Canada

3. Snow!

Yes, I know everyone is sick of it by the end of the winter, but I think longingly of the first snowfall of the year. That pure white blanket, covering lawns, roofs, fields and hills.  There’s nothing as magical as a fresh spread of snow on Christmas morning.

We’ve had only one white Christmas in the past decade.

It’s January 9th today and we had our first, and likely last snowfall of the year. The kids stared out our fifteenth floor balcony window in amazement, at the fluffy flakes. The snowfall lasted about ten minutes. Just long enough for them to bundle up and catch a few flakes on their gloves.

Along with the absence of snow comes the absence of many of the activities that filled my Christmases. I remember, as a child, walking to the arena after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays for Free Skate, and other times my whole class would bundle up and walk to the arena to go skating. I loved gliding along the ice and there’s a desire deep within me to share these experiences with my kids.  It’s still hard for me to believe that they’ve never been tobogganing or ice-skating – never even donned a pair of ice-skates!

A few years ago, a friend passed on a pair of girls skates, and though my daughter has never worn them and they’re too small for her now, I haven’t been able to part with them. They symbolize the memories, the hope of sharing the wonder of Christmas with my kids. 

But this year and last, on Christmas Day we were wearing t-shirts. Without snow, we have to work extra hard to make it feel festive.

2. Christmas Lights!

Yes, this is worth mentioning all on it’s own. My favourite Christmas memories include my parents, brother, sister and me piling into the station wagon, my dad driving through the streets of our small town. Homes and yards glowed and even as a teen, who would rather have stayed home, I was filled with admiration. Our drive would end with a talk through the town square where we took in the wonder of the nativity scenes.

I would love to duplicate this memory with my own kids, but there are no Christmas lights brightening up the city. A few stores have tiny, sparsely decorated trees – garland just thrown on. I linger as I walk by, trying to catch a bit of the Christmas spirit that I enjoyed as a child – wishing it were here.

1. Family!

During the year it’s easy to imagine that even if we lived in Canada we may not see our families often, since everyone is spread out. But I know we would be with them at Christmas. So it’s now we miss them most deeply. One year, my side of the family joined us here for Christmas. My sister and I slept on the living room floor in front of the tree on Christmas Eve, and we felt like kids again. Nine of us in one apartment for an entire month. We could have filled Santa’s sac with memories!

But our regular practice is Skype Christmas. The kids line up in front of the screen and sing carols and open gifts over the computer.  

It’s not the same.

Yet, in our attempt to pass on to our children the importance of this holiday, we are forming some fun and unique traditions.

I’m sure one day if my kids live in Canada, they’ll be able to make a list of things they remember about Christmas in China, and will miss them just as much.

Come back soon to see my list of things I love about Christmases in China!