Back in March, when my husband and I planned a Christmas trip to Ontario, we never imagined the Christmas travel challenges we’d face.

Like a lot of you, I’ve been in a whirlwind of cleaning, wrapping, cooking, baking, entertaining, and being entertained :). I’ve also been packing for a winter road trip back east to spend a rare Christmas with my family in Ontario. And also like a lot of you, rare is the morning when you wake up with a leisurely stretch and wonder how you’re going to fill your day. Especially this year. Leisure doesn’t even have a seat at the kiddie table.

Most years we parcel-up Christmas in boxes and mail them in early December. What a treat it’s been this year to pack with abandon, free of the usual worry of breakage, and the expense of excess weight. Being a writer with a new book out, I even included a few boxes of books. We bought new snow tires, cleaned the car inside and out, and loaded the bulkier items. All that was left to load were our suitcases.

Screeching Halt

And then our long awaited cross-country winter wonderland Christmas trek came to a screeching halt with a last-minute boot-cast (cave master, not me) and a scramble for airline tickets.

Happily, we found suitable flights, but I had to add re-packing to my to-do list, and sadly, some of the treasures we’d originally packed didn’t make the re-pack.

But on the bright side, we’ll still have a white Christmas with my family, and we’ll still be able to visit with friends along the way. For us, it’s the people who make Christmas special, and the rest of it though nice, is simply glitter on the tree. Not critical, nor necessary, and easily done without.

With that in mind, from our house to yours, all the best to you and yours this holiday season. Glitter or not, enjoy the special people in your life. I’ll see you next year …

And if you’re looking for a last-minute present for someone special, you can gift them Secret Sky from your favourite retailer right here! Or click on the image for more purchase options.