It’s Beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Christmas is my favourite time of year. I love the connection and celebration of family and friends. I have a December birthday, which also makes Christmas an extra special time for me and my family. When I was growing up my parents made sure that no Christmas decorations went up before my birthday. My birthday was celebrated and then the tree went up. The Christmas tree decorating, with the smell, lights and hallmark decorations grew to be my favourite part of the season. As I got older I encouraged and eventually insisted the tree go up earlier and earlier in December so it could be enjoyed as long as possible.

Another Christmas tradition that the women in my family enjoy is afternoon tea downtown Vancouver which is followed by a visit to the Gingerbread display at the Hyatt Regency and the Festival of Trees at the Four Seasons Hotel. This tradition dates back at least 25 years. The whole time I was admiring the trees, I would be dreaming about being able to decorate one of my own. I would ponder about how I would make this happen, what I would make my tree look like and visualize it all. Who knew that working as a family dentist in Richmond, BC would give me the opportunity to tree decorate. Four Christmas’s ago my childhood wish came true when the Steveston Merchants Association started the Festival of Trees at the Gulf of Georgia Cannery.

Our first tree debuted Christmas 2011 named “Whiter, Brighter Christmas” I used Invisalign aligners and small tooth pillows as decorations and a blue and white theme to match our logo.

2011 Tree

Christmas 2012 our tree was named “Christmas Makes Us Smile”. I went with a red and green colour scheme, candy cane tooth brushes made into ornaments and a giant tooth pillow tree topper.

2012 Tree

2012 Tree

Christmas 2013 our tree “Two Front Teeth” was inspired by the song “ All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth”. It was a Santa theme with two teeth as the tree topper.

2013 Tree

This year for the Festival of Trees 2014 our tree was inspired by Hermey the Elf from Rudolph who wanted to be a dentist instead of making toys. The tree is decorated based on the land of misfit toys and named “I want to be a Dentist”. I decided on this theme last year and bought a lot of the decorations during the Christmas sales. I had no idea that this year celebrates the 50^th anniversary of my favourite classic Christmas show Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. How perfect!

2014 tree
I want to be a Dentist

2014 Tree
I want to be a Dentist

Don’t forget to stop by The Cannery and vote for your favourite tree (hint, hint….pick ours) between Nov 30^th and Dec 30^th. The Farmer’s Market is on Nov 30 and Dec 14, and Santa visits Steveston and The Cannery on Dec 7^th.