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A Gift of Christmas to Ottawa

on December 11, 2008

No doubt, you have been invited to a whole host different holiday celebrations over the next few weeks. There will be the open houses, the office parties and the family gatherings, each with their own set of protocols and accompanying dress codes.

I am fortunate to have friends that do things a bit differently. Each year, they invite guests to drop over for refreshments just before heading out to see The Gift of Christmas – The Singing Christmas Tree, a first class musical production put on each December by the Bethel Pentecostal Church in Nepean. While not a part of the Bethel Church, these friends are very active members of the Ottawa community, and this is one big community event!

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Now in its 10th year, The Singing Christmas Tree is a free 2-hour variety show extravaganza featuring solo vocalists, ensembles and a 65 person choir. This seasonal spectacle successfully combines all the razzle and dazzle of a professional song and dance production with the timeless appeal of a church pageant, as children participate alongside some very talented adults. The show does take place in a church, so you can expect a little bit of church in the show, but it is downright fun for all ages.

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Most importantly though, The Gift of Christmas is a actual gift to the Ottawa community. Since its inception, more than 45, 000 people have seen the production, tons of food has been donated to local food banks, and almost $100, 000 have been provided to local charities like The CHEO Foundation and Rogers House. This year, audience donations will be in support of Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Support, an organization dedicated to helping young cancer patients and their families.

And, if the generosity, goodwill and all around good fun isn’t enough to get you going, a long lost family member is reunited with loved ones at each performance. Having witnessed these moments before, they are enough to grow anyone’s heart three sizes!

See for yourself. Check out The Gift of Christmas – The Singing Christmas Tree at the Bethel Pentecostal Church, 500 Viewmount Dr., Nepean.

Directions here.

This year’s performances began December 5, and runs through December 14.

Dec. 12 – 7:00 PM
Dec. 13 – 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
Dec. 14 – 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Images from The Gift of Christmas 2008 Photo Album.

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Breakfast and a Bargain – The Christmas Edition

on December 8, 2008

Yesterday, it was time finally to get into the spirit of the holiday season and to track down the perfect Christmas tree. I have always found the natural pine scent and the twinkling soft lights of a Christmas tree to be both calming and uplifting, and so as overwhelming as the busy month of December can be, I prefer to get the tree up early. This way, I can enjoy its presence as the excitement and anticipation build slowly.

Keeping it simple, this girlaboutOtown can whip out the small box of baubles and sparkles that stays buried in the basement during the rest of the year, and with help, can have them all hung in less than an hour. No “matchy matchy” on my tree, and nothing too fancy. Instead, a very small collection of treasured objects – each with its own story – is embellished by only a few store bought balls. This means it is the lights that shine, the tree that is seen, and the memories of year’s past that feature most prominently.

Sunday brunch at Von’s Bistro in the Glebe seemed to be a good place to kick start a cold day. Once my favourite hangout for dessert and high school gossip, I had not returned since. To my surprise and satisfaction, this low key but sophisticated bistro has grown up, just like me. Tall ceilings, dark floors and sizeable windows convey a sense of openness, while subtle lighting, colourful original art and simple decor evoke a relaxed warmth.

With jazz in the background, my mate, my little girlaboutOtown and I indulged in scrambled eggs, crepes with apples and cinnamon, and eggs benedict Florentine, respectively. Then, we sat back, sipped on rich coffee and surveyed the surroundings, pleased to have discovered a new and different breakfast destination. No doubt, we will return.

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Following this fabulous brunch, we were off to find a fir tree…

Heading straight into town, we made our pick at the lot right outside of Ottawa’s Metro Central YMCA at 180 Argyle St. In addition to the excellent recreational programs, exercise facilities, childcare, and newcomer services offered at the Metro Y, this important organization is helping to build our community by providing temporary and emergency housing to those in need. Run by the wonderfully cheerful volunteers at Ottawa Y Focus, a service club dedicated to supporting the work of local YMCA centres, this Christmas tree lot offers more than a great selection of very reasonably priced freshly cut trees in a wide variety of species. It also offers an opportunity to give back in the spirit of the season, if even in a small way.

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So, having done just wee bit of good to help in our community, we found ourselves back in a comfortable home, with full stomachs, and a lovely tree. We three have most definitely caught the true spirit of the season once again, and will do our best to remember when and where it is most needed.

Photos by me