hmmm a favorite Holiday memory? Well as cheesy as this may come across one of my favorites is this most recent Christmas. I have a 2 year old and she only recently figured out this present thing. She was so overjoyed at gifts that she couldn't open any until she'd thoroughly played with the most recently opened.
Even before the big day she had been in love with Christmas-y crafts for weeks and silly toddler-made ornaments adorned our tree. I don't know why but there seems to be something extra magical about Christmas once there's a child involved.
As for New Year's, it's been so long since I was awake at midnight I'm not sure what to do with myself. lol

My favorite holiday memory was when we first came to America from Vietnam and someone, probably one of my Asian uncles got dressed up as Santa Claus.

Looking back at the pictures it was hilarious because you can obviously tell Santa was an Asian man with an bad beard and there was a pillow stuffed under the red suit. By the look on my face, I didn't know or trust the guy in the red suit.

HC//I would love to see that photo. What a great memory!

Last Christmas (2009), my son was only a few weeks old. In addition, I had spent my entire pregancy renovating our "new" 100-year old home so that it would be ready for his arrival. As any new, first-time parent, I was tired, worn-out and a bit frazzled from holiday preparations.

On Christmas Eve night, I got up for my son's night-time diaper change and feeding. When I opened the drawer to get out a diaper, there was a little wrapped box and a note from "my son" thanking me for all that I had done to get the house ready for him, for spending 18 hours in labor during his birth, and for being a wonderful mommy. In the box were beautiful diamond earrings.

I wear the earrings every day, but the note was the most precious gift I ever received.

My favorite holiday memory would be spending my October creating Halloween costumes for my little brother and sister, and then taking them Trick or Treating.

Do they still have that drain thing that you crawl through? My daughter brought a friend with us and he was too terrified to go down the drain with her so I had to do it. How repulsive, but she still laughs about it.

My favorite Holiday memory would have to be this past Christmas. My children are 5 and 3 so they are really get in to Santa and everything else. My 3yr old son is Autistic so that morning was a little much for him. My 5yr old stepped in and made sure everyone took thier time so her little brother could have some quiet and take his time. It took a while to get everything open but it was a fun and peaceful Christmas.

Born in vietnam, my memory brings me back to Tet (chinese new year)and how we celebrated. My parents have 5 kids and evey year, we would dress up in our Sunday best and take turns, reading our best wishes for the upcoming year to our parents. After our speech, we would each receive a shiny new red envelope containing money. A token of good luck passed from our parents to us. We would go to the market, shop and eat a lot of wonderful treats that are only available at Tet.

I'll never forget New Years 2002 because, for some reason, we decided to celebrate New Years in Montreal. First, let me say that flying into Montreal in an ice storm is not as fun as it sounds. The plane's landing was possibly one of the scariest experiences in my lifetime. Second, we went with my mother-in-law. She's a great person, but has issues (don't they all?). Third, we went to Club Med in Montreal, which was basically a meat market for singles, and not a great place for a family (don't ask me why or how we chose Club Med--I really don't remember). However, the food was delicious!

The next day we had lunch at an amazing creperie in the Old Port and walked around in -18 degree weather. It was joyful.

We never celebrate new year's in the traditional way, even before we had kids. Each year, we stock up on games and good food and drink and just... chill! It feels good to end and begin a year peacefully, and it's always my favorite day of the year!

My kids are old enough to remember the fantastic Chinese New Year celebrations at Grace & St. Peter's. The sight of the dragon on its way down Cathedral Street was unforgettable. Would love to see another edition at Port Discovery!