Today is a good day to share some of the joys of our second annual Christmas Eye Spy. We are in the freezer and currently have hit the high of -33C. BRRR!!! This may give you some warmth cuddled up inside!
First, a HUGE thank you to everyone who helped make this year's event AMAZING!! From sponsors to those who have social reach and presence, we were touched and touched lives. The Brick Bin gave us 5 gift certificates and also sponsored Halloween! Tahini's, a Mediterranean Fusion Restaurant is a new business in Airdrie and they gave us a gift card to draw for. Our company, Green Seal Certified Safety Courses, provided the propane for warmers and hot chocolate for hands and the gift of time and flexibility to do this. City Councilors and businesses with social media presence who came to partake and shared, and the neighbours who came, some as many as four times with new friends and their families, to share the fun... THANK YOU!!
We had 1200 people come over 16 days and saw everyone from teenagers, young adults, young families, blended families, and seniors whose families are grown and gone. Everyone with wide eyes, laughter, and incredible hearts. Together we shared and created special memories and raised 680lb of groceries and $1,113.25 for the Airdrie Food Bank!
Here are some of the treasured moments we have received (warning, some might make your eyes leak):
Two days before we opened, one of my daughters brought two totes of treasures from a family close to her that had lost their mother/ grandma. These were little things that no one could see to use, but maybe we could find ways to. Every single item was incorporated into the vignettes and added a special touch. I was honored and thankful for their thoughtful gift amid their grieving.
There was such fun, that we were asked to make another set of lists, maybe a little harder than the first two lists, so we did a set that was my best effort at a challenge level which included decor around the vignettes. And then we made a Christmas Carols challenge that encompassed all the decor and separated into 4 sections (tents 1, 2 and 3 as well as Candy Cane Lane & Christmas Village. There were over 50 Christmas carols/ songs identified! Next year there will be a few more that I forgot or didn't have the right clue object for.
Our neighbours were hosting a card game over the holidays and told everyone to bring a donation and come through. They all wound up visiting with their adult children and grandkids!
We had one young guy, 2 and 1/2 years old, come visit with his parents 4 times because he loved the train! The little fireball was so much fun. And, one day just before Christmas, he brought Grandpa on a walk to show him the train... awww.
We had a lady and her teenage daughter stop by well before opening and bring two very full bags of groceries and an 8pk of tp. They didn't have time to even poke their heads in to see it. Momma said they were visiting family in the neighborhood, they were literally dropping off the donations and leaving town to go for Christmas with her folks. She wanted to "support good people doing good" and prove to her daughter there is good in the world.
That same evening, we had a gal stop by and talk to Clifford. They had hoped to come, but hubby was just in a car crash so they weren't likely to make it. Her husband told her to come by and leave a donation of $50. Gosh, gulp, WOW, it's hard to see typing atm.
We had two gals who had recently immigrated, I am presuming Ukrainian, come midday for a walk and see the decorations and ask about the event. So I took them into the first tent and explained. One had a better grasp of English and translated for the other, who was eager to converse and understand. They were curious and asked why we do this, so I told them that the magic of Christmas is meant to be shared and it's our way of giving back to others. That evening, they came back with their sister and gifts to share. They insisted I open the gift bags before they took in the fun. The gal who needed translation brought a lovely Christmas flag and an Advent wreath. Tears filled my eyes and they did typing this again. Once we were done that evening, I found some battery-operated candles from Halloween, spray-painted them white, and put the lovely gift in one of the vignettes.
We had two different families with autistic kiddos come visit twice and loved the interactive moments together where the autism didn't stand in the way of enjoyment. Watching parents and siblings share these moments and express their gratitude for the memory-making moved me, and still does. One of them won one of the door prizes and was a delight to see again this afternoon.
Watching teenagers dropping their attitude and disinterest and having fun with their parents... priceless. One particular family was why we developed another set of lists. When "it's too bad there isn't another set of lists" was spoken, that was the opportunity to create more time for the blended family to build together. Oh, the magic - that moves my heart!
A gal I know had lost her soul mate two years ago. She didn't do Christmas last year and wasn't sure how/ what she would do this year. When she was dropping off a piece of my art from a gallery I had participated in, I turned on the lights and shared (it was only 30 min to open anyway). Turns out she used to do the displays for Hudson Bay and Eatons. While they weren't likely the ones I remember visiting with my Nana, when she said they reminded her of the detail she used to put into doing the sets for both stores downtown Calgary (where Nana used to take me), I was so grateful and tears snuck up. That is exactly what I was going for - a reminder of the simple joys of pressing nose to windows and being enchanted. My friend said she hadn't smiled that much in a long time. It's been special to see her remember her sweet moments and share them this holiday.
We had a single dad who has a YouTube channel visit with his tribe (his words). When they were done, he asked if he could come back and do a video and interview to share with friends and family who were too far away. Of course! What a delight!!
Finally, there are these: in the course of our people coming to our event we had a representative of a well-known builder ask if we were looking for sponsorship next year and gave us his card, and while sharing on a community FB/ Meta Christmas Lights page, a local roofing company has offered to put up out ridgeline lights for free. Numerous people who have treasures that can't be used have asked if we would like/ could use items they can no longer, to which we replied, we would be honoured. On our final evening (Jan 2nd), we had a couple come through and offer us some LED outdoor figures. They are retiring to an RV and can't take it with them. And, she writes articles for a local magazine and would like to share our story.
We are so very grateful and touched by it all! Who knew our little bit of fun could do and give so much?!!
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