The Twelve Days of Christmas, Part 3
The Seventh Day of Christmas
Take a stroll through the Van Dusen Botanical Gardens. Sure, winter may not seem like the best time to visit this beautiful oasis which prides itself on spring/summer blooms and fall colours, but the Festival of Lights, which runs until January 3rd, provides all the colour you could wish for. Other attractions include choir performances, puppet shows, and Santa Claus appearances. Hot chocolate, apple cider, and fresh made waffles are available as you brave the evening air, and the Dancing Lights show on Livingstone Lake is not to be missed.
The Eighth Day of Christmas
Shop Robson Street. Nothing puts me in the Christmas spirit like setting out for some Christmas shopping. Nothing ruins my festive mood, however, like being jammed in a crowded mall under fluorescent lights with people fighting over the last pair of white sport socks. Robson Street features holiday crowds and decorated storefronts, but somehow walking in the open air along a street lined with Christmas lights relaxes me amid the chaos. Grab a hot dog or warm chestnuts from a vendor and embrace the madness! Gift giving has come to define the holiday season, but in the rush to buy for your loved ones, don’t forget about those not so fortunate. The weather’s getting colder by the day so take a moment to give back – there are many volunteers collecting donations along Robson, try not to pass them by.
The Ninth Day of Christmas
Indulge in a holiday drink at the Wedgewood Hotel. The swanky boutique hotel’s Bacchus Lounge, on Hornby Street at the corner of Robson, is the perfect spot to relax after a long afternoon of Christmas shopping. This inviting room is always warm and cozy, so sit back with a Baileys and coffee and try to remember that the holidays are supposed to give us a break from our busy lives.