Christmas Magic in the Air
Author: Cyndi Crowder
Cyndi has lived in the Quinte region all her life. She co-authored the book “Growing up Quinte” with her father, Jack Evans, and believes firmly in the power of community.
Can you feel it? The sense of wonder and magic that comes with the Christmas season. It’s starting to build! Like the first few snowflakes that drift down in a lazy dance which soon turns into a frosty, flurry blizzard.
I remember as a young lass of about 10 years old and the sense of anticipation building for the big Christmas Day. To anticipate means (according to Merriam-Webster) “A feeling of excitement about something that is going to happen.” It’s an emotion filled with excitement, pleasure and sometimes anxiety when we consider a longed-for event. All I knew was I wanted was to savour every minute. On Christmas morning I would wake up early, sneak downstairs and turn on the Christmas tree lights. Then in the early morning stillness with my stuffed stocking in hand, I would stare at the beautiful, but slightly fuzzy lights – seems I was in need of glasses but I didn’t know that, nor did I care! It was Christmas Day! Another time my sister Heidi snuck down with me. Santa had left us a foosball table! Woohoo, what fun we had at four in the morning!
Downtown Belleville is creating a magical atmosphere of lights and treasures all ready to remind you of the child-like wonder in the Christmas season. We have all had another long, hard pandemic year and more than ever, we need to remember the simple joys from our childhood.
So come on! Bundle up, put your glasses on if you need them, take a stroll and let the Christmas magic make you a feel like a child again. See if you can find all these treasures in Downtown for yourself.
This stoic nutcracker standing sentinel, is ready to protect you and waiting to waltz you across the floor at the Sugar Plum Fairy’s Ball.
I wonder if the gingerbread man is home? Sure could go for a cup a tea and a slice off the front window. Home renovating is all the rage and I’ll be glad to pitch in!
Maybe before dessert we should have a bite of supper: fresh fire roasted pizza or a simple slice of warm, herbed focaccia bread and a hearty soup. I know just the place.
These gnomes all looked to be pretty busy to pay much attention to what was going on. They all seemed to be mumbling too! I caught a few phrases like “cutting down Christmas trees” and “mining for gumdrops”. Or, maybe it was just the beards!
If you want to play a good game of Eye Spy, these are the windows for you! Can you find the penguin?
Or go REAL easy and find something red?
It’s Christmas time. You might have to dig deep but there is still a child in you, ready to be awed by Nutcrackers, gnomes and gingerbread. Why not come downtown Belleville and see if you can find them? With a little luck it will snow fat fluffy flakes as you visit the shops and remember the magic of Christmas.
