What do you look forward to during the winter holidays?

Winter! When I think of it, winter can make me feel happy, sad, or even mad. But what I love about winter is sledding down huge fluffy white hills with my younger brother behind me. I love the frost on the trees, when you can tell that it's not quite snow but that winter has arrived. I love to snuggle up by the fireplace with a good book, but for me winter is reallly about spending snowy days indoors by a fire with a cup of steaming hot chocolate waiting for me and of course when my family that comes for the holidays!

Dragging yourself and your snowboard behind you for the last time up the snowy hill towards the warm lodge, you're soaked from head to toe, but you can proudly say you've just had the best day of the entire winter holiday. It's that moment when I peel my wet socks off my feet in front of a lively burning fireplace that I look forwards to most during my winter holiday. All the cold that's been crawling down my spine replaced with an overpriced cup of hot chocolate slowly defrosting my fingers in a toasty lodge on Grouse Mountain. Imagining yourself on the same couch watching the sunrise precisely 12 hours ago with 10 times more energy than you have now, watching the sunset. It's funny because just that one moment of warmth both inside and out is what gets me through the first three and a half months of school.

The holiday purchasing season has just ended. However, the yearly boost in sales has not been sufficient for many retailers, such as Sears and Kmart. Over 100 Sears and Kmart stores are going to close later this year With a big enough short term loan, the stores may be able to stay in business.

The feeling of walking up a flight of stairs in the middle of the night when there's nothing below you but the dark abyss and the constant feeling of something grabbing you from behind.

I’m seventeen years young and a grade twelve student. Past traditions are coming to an end as I will be moving across seas very soon. As I go on living my last year with my family before my leap into my home away from home, I find myself reaching out for every moment I can, where I’ll hold them close in my heart forever and always. My favourite thing about winter holidays, especially with living in Alberta Canada where the snow never stops, is the memories I get to relive over and over again. A very fond memory of mine includes me and my mother. The simplicity of the event is overwhelming but the feeling it gave me is one I have carried through my life since. It was winter, and the ground was covered in a soft layer of perfectly intact snowflakes. The air was still as the condensed water crystals fell steadily in a vertical manner. My mother and I have always had a reputation to get lost in time. We can spend hours doing something and not realize the legitimate time spent. Surprisingly not, the same thing happened to us on that still night around Christmas. We had gone to Chapters; one of our favourite mother daughter things to do. The books and magazines compiled on the coffee table between us and the loose change in our pockets turned into numerous empty coffee cups. The dark leather arm chairs hugged us so perfectly that our minds began to reach a state of impaired drowsiness. We had become completely entranced that we did not realize the people starting to disappear around us. Finally I stared to clue in that it was soon closing time. We cleared our things from the table and made our way out of the store. I will never forget the feeling when I opened the door to outside. The parking lot was almost completely empty and the ground now thick in snow, shimmering in the few dim light posts. The snow was coming down harder now, but the air was still and comforting. When we reached the inside of the car, I watched the accumulated bonnet of snow disappear from my mother’s fashionable cap as she smiled at me; that perfect quirky little smile.
I have so many memories of this sort that have always stuck with me over the years. Another year allows me to go through that circle of events again so I can re live and re corporate these significant happenings in my life once more. My favourite part of holidays is getting lost in old ones.

C.H
When I think about the "Winter Holiday's" a smile as wide as the State line of Mexico crosses my face, as I jump into sparatical joy! Although I can't say I love everything about this time of year. For instances when I have to wake up early in the morning, waiting for my bus to get to school (which of course in icy conditions is always late). And There I am waiting...as time tickers on I feel that deep chill, making my hairs stand on end. Now that, I can't stand. But to the point my Favorite thing about the Winter Holidays has got to be that good old fashioned Christmas cheer...Carroling. I know, Carroling, who woulda-thunk-it...me that's who! I don't know if anyone goes out anymore to cheer on the Christmas joy through song because evolution has made some things more unsafe then others. But I'm the persistant type. I'll sing my heart out if I have too! Even if my pipes are rusty. I think what makes me so motivated is the message that comes across in song, in any song really. And I'm not going to say corny "love" has everything to do with it, but it's "Inspirational". Everyday people make songs thier own all the time (huh, and they don't call that copyright). Most of all why I love Carroling is becuase I'll never forget that feeling..kinda like shareing without being asked to, and without a care of praise, but out of all the goodness shuvled into one big heart. Now ain't that what Christmas is 2/3rds about!

Sitting on my rooftop
in the cold winter air
with my sister
side by side
counting every star
and wishing on the ones
we think are the brightest
until we get so tired
we can barely keep our eyes open.

So we climb down
helping each other along the way
as we trip on the ends
of our baggy sleepy pants
lead each other through
the darkness of the house
skipping over the loose floorboards
trying not to wake mom.

Climb underneath the
blankets of our squeaky bed
and listen to her voice
as she tells me everything about her day
until i’m way too tired to reply
and fall asleep ….

The Crisp frost lashed at my reddened ears. The stars shimmer delicately above welcoming our late night stroll. Hand in hand, my father and I wander. It seems as if nothing would break this silence, until, a subtle arctic chill broaches my hand. I glance up to take in the infinity of ongoing midnight sky, cascading down precious flakes.
Whirling in unison, the wind twiddled the white star into a salsa duet. The evergreens sway peacefully on the sidelines. Purling around the frosted, glistening icicles, preparing for an elegant finale.
The wind calms and allows the snowflake to sashay, parading around for the spotlight. Now that the glory of the solo is done the star, blends back with the rest. It takes a bow, and gracefully lain down on a bed of white.
The show is over, and I must go on to discover another show-stealing star, inspired by Mother Nature this holiday.

Brittany Bordeleau

As winter holidays quickly approach, I swell up with joy as the season of love and selfless giving begins. Snow softly falling all around, it’s easy to abandon all of my cares and worries, and just focus on what really matters most in life.

Now let’s be serious.

Sure, I could easily write some sappy story about spending quality time with friends and family, or about building a gigantic snowman and later sipping steaming hot chocolate by a crackling fire. But, to be honest, that’s not why I’m looking forward to this Christmas season. In fact, the truth isn’t quite as picturesque. Realistically the holiday season means standing in long lines, waiting to spend a ridiculous amount of money on a gift that my sister probably isn’t going to appreciate anyways. Trudging laboriously to the malls, through that slushy, dirt-encrusted snow-residue trying to avoid the spray from passing vehicles does not sound like an enjoyable season to me. My true joy during this season actually comes from knowing that everyone else is dealing with the same problems. So, this Christmas season, I look forward to taking advantage of that knowledge. With my gifts purchased months in advance of the lineups and slushy sidewalks, I plan to head down to the mall on Christmas Eve and watch all of the panicked last-minute shoppers asking the clerks why the latest gaming system is out-of-stock. Maybe this winter holiday season will be one of peace and joy after all, at least for me.

Steam is coming out of my mouth, but I don’t feel cold at all. Actually, all these layers of clothing are making me sweat. I wipe away the beads of sweat on my forehead, and continue working. It’s been an hour since we’ve been working on this snow fort, but it’s only halfway done. Another hour later, as my sister puts on the finishing touches. It now becomes perfect. My brother cheers and crawls in first. My sister and I follow. We sit there for a while, but it’s already beginning to get dark. We drag our sleds all the way home, and we are welcomed by steaming hot chocolates and marshmallows. The marshmallows melt in my mouth as I drink the sweet chocolaty goodness. I change into my cozy sweater and pajama pants. I devour the Christmas dinner with my family, and then we all watch a movie together in the living room. Then, my dad lights the ice cream cake that says, “Happy Birthday Clare!” and they chant “Happy Birthday” while I sit smiling taking photos. Christmas is my favourite day of the year, and I look forward to it every winter. Not only because it is my birthday, but because I get to enjoy the time with my family.