LOL, yes, you read that correctly! Our Christmas Eye Spy Adventure started with Halloween. Let me explain, and it will all make sense soon enough.
In 2021, we had our first haunted house open to the elements outside, and because the driveway faces north, it was a veritable wind tunnel. On one of the days we ran the haunted house, we had a family come with a treasure hunt/ eye spy list. Watching the parents with the young boy and girl was delightful as they checked off multiple items.
Clifford and I bantered back and forth, discussed the concept, and determined that while we loved it and were happy to see them, having/ offering a list for others wasn’t something that fit with our plan and the need to keep things simple for success given we were a two-person crew.
However, the seed was planted, and the idea grew. That year, I had wanted to do a Christmas something with an eye spy/ treasure hunt list, but I wasn’t sure what exactly, and being open to the elements didn’t seem fun at all after our Halloween experience. Then, we lost family, and I fell sick with bronchitis. Suffice it to say, the idea was left simmering in my mind.
I already had one playhouse that I had turned into a gingerbread house for decoration in the front yard in 2020 and used as a Halloween prop in 2021. People were curious and wanted to see and take pictures of their kids and pups in it.
Once we had the tents for Halloween, my vision became more apparent, and the playhouse and the Whoville tree decorations I had made for Christmas 2021 were put into service. I bought a few more playhouses and various Christmas items that fit six themes.
Clifford didn’t fully understand, but I was determined and he was supportive, so we used one tent and ran a pilot project for Christmas 2022. We chose dates and placed eight flyers on the same mailboxes and community board as we had for our Not-so-Spooky Haunted House. Despite the cold temps and subsequent adjusting of dates, we had about 150 people visit, raised more donations for the Airdrie Food Bank (130 lb and $230), and community spirit.
I didn’t realize it then, but I knew with all my fiber that I needed to do this. With two of our daughters pregnant, Christmas traditions were taking a turn, and it was time for us and them to create new memories. Both daughters had different challenges with their pregnancies, and I needed the serenity of those nights, holding hope and faith that they would all be healthy, remaining centered while waiting to see visitors and share joy with our Christmas Village.
It turns out that it was precisely what the people who came through needed - a family event that young and old could participate in and enjoy the wonders and the glow of Christmas spirit. The parents brought children, and the children (adults) brought parents. There was no age too young or too old, and their joy was Christmas Magic!! Just remembering the stories, oh my heart, it brings tears of gratitude and joy to my core.
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