Me and my family are scattered to the four corners of the globe (UK, France, Canada, New Zealand and Australia), so I tend to ignore Christmas unless I manage to coordinate being in the same place as my family at that time of year. I have been lucky enough to spend Christmas with my family in the Eastern provinces of Canada a few times – and it really is a winter wonderland. Here are some highlights of spending a white Christmas in Canada!
Winter Wonderland
There is something delightful about a proper white Christmas – the layers of snow blanketing the cute Canadian towns is exactly how Christmas should be. If you’ve ever wanted the true snow-covered Christmas dream, then Canada can provide. A gentle layer of snow on the evergreens, and the garden covered in a perfect layer, only broken by the paw prints of a deer (or even a bear, depending on how rural you are).
Snowed-In
Being snowed-in can actually be a good thing. The Canadian’s are pretty used to snow days, so always make the most of such a predicament. These picture-postcard snowy towns can turn into blizzard-filled white-outs, where you get snowed into your house and can’t leave. I have been stuck in snow storms over the holidays (in both 2005 and 2008), but luckily there is always a warm fire and a Canadian Royal rye whiskey waiting. It’s a perfect opportunity for boardgames and time with family.
Snow Fights
Ok, so the last time I had a snow fight with my family, I accidentally packed some ice into my snow ball and gave my mum a bloody lip, with the only on-target shot of my life (sorry Mum)! A snow-filled back yard can make great snow-fighting grounds, as well as prime real-estate for building snowmen and making snow-angels!
Ice Ice Baby
If you run out of ice, no problem! But remember, don’t eat yellow snow!
Always Prepared
Canadians have this whole snow ploughing thing covered – unlike the UK, where a mere 3-inches of snow causes widespread chaos, Canadians handle it with aplomb! From snow ploughs, personal snow blowers, winter tyres, and snow shoes, everyone seems prepared for a snow fall, so you aren’t inconvenienced too much! This is my brother digging his car out of the driveway – easy peasy! He said to me once – ‘the only time it bothers me is when it’s so cold that my nose-hairs freeze’ – LOL!
Spending a White Christmas in Canada
I recommend spending a white Christmas in Canada at least once in your life. The Maritime provinces are particularly beautiful at this time of year. Much like skiing trips, if you get snowed in, at least there are warm fires and delicious tipples awaiting you. Plus you can try fun activities like snow-shoeing or ice-fishing! Christmas is just better in the snow.
Want more Canadian Adventures? Here is my guide to 24 hours in Niagara Falls
Canada is an incredible country that I am passionate about. If you need any itinerary planning advice, Contact me.
All photos & content © Hannah Henderson and may not be used without permission (sharing this blog post is fine, though!).
Oh I’m not that far away from canada – seattle. you make it look like it’s fun being in a blizzard! Haha! I’ve actually been stuck in one while driving and let me tell you, i didn’t enjoy it one bit. But maybe it’s because i’m californian not canadian :0
Haha yes, blizzards are pretty scary, have driven in a few and not seeing the road is bad! But I do love how they are so expected in some parts of Canada, that life just carries on. And then there’s the lovely rye whiskey 😉
You had me at a warm fire and a Canadian Royal rye whiskey! Don’t get me wrong a white Christmas in Canada looks absolutely beautiful and any time spent with family is always grand. But being from New Orleans and Cuban, I kind of hate the cold.
With that said, a lot of my family live in Northern virginia and for many years of my life I got to spend a white Christmas with them. It was always magical for me. The sledding, snowball fights, and even the crisp colors of everything as it contrasted against the white was always beautiful.
This brought back memories of our -31 F when we celebrated Christmas with my daughter in Calgary several years ago!
Yikes, that is a cold one!
I live in the canadian rockies and luckily have always had a white christmas. I’ve had the chance to visit others around the world, but at this time of year, canada is the only place I want to be. I do wish there was more mulled wine readily available, tho….
Mulled wine definitely helps the winter blues! Perhaps you can start the Canadian Mulled Wine Association 😉
I love seeing a snowy scene far away as possible, it looks great from a distance indeed LOL! I’m just a scaredy cat coming from the warm tropics.
I have a very good friend in Calgary and have considered visiting in the winter. There is something about a warn fire and whiskey after a snowball fight that is very appealing!
Such great memories of your Christmas in the Eastern Provinces. They may have got snow for Christmas this year. But Toronto was over 13 degrees right after Christmas! Certainly not white. But I do remember many white Christmas and playing in the snow. But you are right, getting stuck in the snow is not fun. For me, I wanted white sand this year for Christmas!
There is something so magical about a white christmas! We live in utah and the first big snow storm is always magical! But I don’t think I would enjoy being snowed in. It sounds like you had a wonderful christmas! Happy new year my friend!
Glad you got to have a wonderful time this past visit to Canada! it really is a wonderful country, I was fortunate enough to live close to the border growing up and got to visit quite a bit. always got the plowing of the roads on point 🙂
My cousin in Toronto keeps calling me to spend the december there but the sheer cold keeps me away. Glad to think of it differently now. guess it is not such a bad thing to spend a white X’mas. Will be sure to consider the same next year.