For me there is no such thing as too much Christmas. Growing up on a farm on the Bruce Peninsula, Christmas was a time of family and fellowship. It was coming home from school to the homey aroma of rich, spicy baking. There were Christmas concerts at school and church and of course many family gatherings.

When I moved to London in the early 1970's, I couldn’t imagine Christmas in "the city." My opinion changed when the Santa Claus Parade started at Argyle Mall and headed west past my house. I learned about the Christmas Bus and how an LTC employee had decorated a bus for Christmas in the early 1950's and the tradition still lives on. A visit from the Operation Scrooge students, collecting canned goods made me realize that good will is all around us.

Visions of stores such as Hudsons, The Met and other shops in Old East decked out in their Christmas finery, bustling with shoppers are still vivid. Continuing toward downtown were many more shops. Places such as Seigels Shoes, Wellington Square, Brights Wines to mention a few, full of Christmas shoppers. At the corner of Dundas and Richmond the window at Simpsons was a showcase of animated figures busily preparing for Christmas. What a fantasy land for "kids" of all ages.

Visits to Covent Garden Market, and walks through Victoria Park were a part of my first Christmas in London and still are, but now the grandchildren join us.

The many ethnic shops along Dundas St East and Hamilton Road were delectable for Christmas treats and still are. It is worth the trip just to savour some of the best Christmas delights and to bask in the aromas of the season.

Today we have even more cultures and traditions in our midst. Whether you are celebrating Ramadan, observing Hanukkah or awaiting a child in a manger lets all pause for a minute and reflect on good times and wish peace to one another.