I love the holiday season. I love everything about it - the decorations, the food, the smells, the chaos at the mall and the non-stop Christmas music on the radio!  Religiously, we don't celebrate Christmas, but culturally, my family has always embraced the season as a time to celebrate with loved ones, and show our appreciation for the valued people in our lives.

So tonight, I put my kids to bed, turned up the carols, lit a fire, lit my President's Choice scented candle in Nutmeg & Ginger, which I can't describe except to say that it smells like Christmas, and sat down to do some serious card-writing and wrapping.  The mail-woman, the banker, the babysitters, the handyman, the trainer, the boss...the list goes on.  I love the act of cutting the wrapping paper, and delicately embossing the package with a shiny bow.  It's therapy at my dining table late at night...and I'm enjoying every minute! Next week, I bake shortbread!  I'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, here are a couple of my favourite Christmas tune:

"Little Drummer Boy" performed by Bing Crosby and David Bowie. Bowie's voice is outstanding and the two of them together - wow - moves me every time.

This one is one of my all-time favourite music moments, Christmas and otherwise:  "Do they know it's Christmas" by Band Aid. Seeing so many of my favourite music icons - Bono (before he became the fly), Simon Le Bon, George Michael (before the Washroom Incident), Sting (before Tantric sex) - together in their unadultered sleepy London morning state, singing together so beautifully...warms the heart, dontcha think?