Christmas isn't Christmas without family, or at least that's what students at Innisfail Junior/Senior High think.
Dakota Neilly, a 13-year-old Innisfail Jr/Sr High student, spends his holiday season with family remembering the good times, and creating memories.
“During Christmas holidays, we spend time in front of a roaring fireplace, drinking hot chocolate and talking. Everyone shares their dreams and accomplishments throughout the year, and we enjoy each other's company,” said Neilly.
Neilly spoke of the last Christmas he saw his grandfather fondly.
“My family and I had gone to see my grandparents, and my grandpa and I talked for a long time. He passed away a little while after that. I will never forget him,” he added.
Fourteen-year-old Phoenix Baird wanted a reindeer bell.
“When I was eight or nine, I wrote Santa Claus and asked for a reindeer bell,” said Baird. “And when December 25 came, my family woke up, and we all went down to open gifts.”
There was an odd box waiting for him.
“I picked up the present that was labelled ‘To Phoenix', and it did not make any sound when I shook it,” Baird added. “As I ripped the wrapping off, and took off the lid, it was still silent. When I took all of the paper out of the box, out came a reindeer bell, just as I had asked! That was a great present.”
Another favourite Christmas involved his love of Lego.
“My parents buy my brother and I lots of Lego, and one year I got the Star Wars Death Star Lego set, with 3,000 pieces,” said Baird. “If we could have a perfect Christmas, my brother and I would have a Lego competition, and see who could build a big set first. I can do the Death Star in two hours. I'm not sure my brother could do that.”
Lenore Oddy, 13, spends her Christmas bonding with her family.
“As a family, we spend a lot of time together. My sister and niece and other family members come over, and we just do things. I don't know if my sister ever finishes Christmas shopping. When we do go shopping, it ends with a shopping Mosh pit.”
Oddy noted that her sister doesn't live at home anymore, and that Christmas makes those times more interesting.
“One thing we do is bug each other, but that is what siblings do. We always laugh about the time when I was four years old when mom and dad put the Christmas tree where the couch usually was,” said Oddy. “My sister, wanting to sit down, without thinking walked over to the ‘couch', and sat right on top of the tree. Down it went, ornaments and all! Good thing we got pictures of the tree toppling. She will never live that one down.”
While she loves the Christmas season, if she could plan the perfect Christmas, she would sleep in a little more, spend time with her family quietly, and disappear to her room to play Motley Crew on her guitar and sing, just chilling in the moment.
Younger students from St. Marguerite Bourgeoys School are a little closer to their childhood, but still value family during the holidays.
Karleigh Bester, a 10-year-old student from the school, likes many different things about Christmas.
“I like the presents we get for Christmas, all of the lights around the house and town, and the Christmas trees we see wherever we go,” Bester said. “My family all comes over and we eat lots. I like the goodies.”
Bester's mother noted that their Christmas Day starts early, at around 5 a.m.
“With young kids like Karleigh, our day does start at 5 a.m. and doesn't stop until late in the evening. The kids get up early, and open their stockings, and Santa gifts, then we eat breakfast,” added the mom.
“The fun starts when the kids open their presents,” she said. “I like the busyness of the day, and cooking for all of my family. Karleigh is my cookie tester.”
Karleigh remembered her favourite present so far.
“My mommy bought me a crystal toy that goes on top of a lamp when I was nine. When the lamp is on, the light makes patterns on the wall and ceiling. I think we got it in Disney World,” Karleigh said.
Seven-year-old Dekkam Dallas from St. Marguerite's likes Christmas for a different reason.
“I like Christmas because we celebrate the birth of the baby Jesus,” Dallas said. “The night before Christmas, we have a wheat dish, and other special food.”
Dallas's family opens presents early in the morning Dec. 25 then goes to his grandmother's house.
“We open presents at grandma's, then we visit with my family,” Dallas added.
His special Christmas present was a BB gun when he was six years old.
“I know that Christmas is all about Jesus, and that older kids and adults forget that. I think I will always remember that Jesus and Christmas go together,” said Dallas.
