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It may seem early, but when November 1st comes around, many Canadians start getting in the holiday mood. They decorate their home, get a Christmas tree, and begin holiday shopping. For many Canadians, it’s their favourite time of the year. It’s a time to get together and celebrate with friends and family.
Since Canada is a multicultural country, there are many different customs and traditions during the holidays. Many of the common traditions are influenced by European and First Nations communities. These are celebrated by people of all backgrounds. They encourage people to come together, make connections, and build community – a value that defines Canadian culture.
Continue reading to learn about different holiday customs and traditions in Canada.
Travelling around the holidays
One of the busiest times of the year to travel is over the winter holidays. This is because many Canadians like to escape the cold weather and head for warmer climates. Since kids are on winter break from school, this is a great time for families to go on a vacation. If you plan to travel over the holidays, be aware that flights will be more expensive and the airports will be busy. If you’re looking for a travel bargain, traveling on Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, or New Year’s Day will be your best bet to find cheaper flights. Also, make sure to get to the airport at least two hours before your flight to beat the long lines.
Embracing the cold weather
While some Canadians like to escape the cold, many embrace the chillier temperatures over the holidays. Going skiing is one well-liked activity to do over the winter. Although Manitoba doesn’t have the Rocky Mountains, places like Holiday Mountain, Stony Mountain Ski Area, and Springhill Winter Park are popular options. Tobogganing is another fun Canadian winter activity. All you need is a toboggan which you can get from Wal-Mart or Canadian Tire. Check out some of these parks in Winnipeg to find toboggan hills near you: Manitobogganing. Other winter activities that embrace the cold weather are playing hockey, building a snowman, and going ice skating.
Giving back to the community
A big part of Canadian culture is supporting the local community. This could be volunteering or donating to an organization. Some great places to volunteer over Christmas in Winnipeg are at the Christmas Cheer Board, Salvation Army, and Winnipeg Harvest. However people choose to give back, it doesn’t have to be expensive or a big time commitment. Any small gesture can have a big impact and bring lots of joy.
Holiday shopping and gift-giving
Canadians are very generous, so they love giving presents to their friends and family over the holidays. A popular game for exchanging gifts is called Secret Santa. This is done with a group of people, often co-workers or friends. Everyone gets one person in their group to buy a gift for, but it’s kept a secret. Generally, most people who celebrate Christmas give their gifts on Christmas Day. However, some Canadians give their gifts on Christmas Eve. Many Canadians celebrate Hannukah, and they give their gifts over eight days. If you’re invited to someone’s house, it’s also seen as polite to bring a hostess gift. Some common gift ideas are chocolates or a bottle of wine.
Decorating
In Canada, many people like to decorate for the holidays. Outside the house, it’s common for people to put up lights or a wreath on the front door. Inside the house, most families put up a Christmas tree. It’s decorated with ornaments and garlands. At the top of the tree, people like to put a star or angel. This represents the Star of Bethlehem or Angel Gabriel in the Christian religion.
Holiday Food
A big part of the holidays in Canada is all the special meals. For Christmas, many families cook a meal heavily inspired by Great Britain. This includes turkey, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and gravy. For dessert, it’s common to have fruit cake or plum puddings. Since Canada is full of diverse cultures, there are many other traditional holiday foods. For example, Ukrainian families have a 12-course meal, and some French families have a feast on Christmas Eve called réveillon.
Sources: A Newcomer’s Guide to the Holiday Season in Canada, Arrive; CULTURE CONNECT: Celebrating the Holidays in Canada, Pembroke Observer; and Christmas Traditions and Customs in Canada, TripSavvy.
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