Even though Mumtaz celebrates a special day in mid December, there are certain December traditions that we follow which actually have little to do with traditional celebrations. We look forward to returning to them next year.

1. Every December around the 15th Mumtaz, Sam, Trevor and I meet to search for the staff Christmas present. The object is to purchase several copies of the same gifts plus 2 bonus gifts which we try to relate to the main gift. The objective is something quirky. So this year, this sort of shopping is not a good idea so I found box chocolate on special at the supermarket and will go with that.
2. Every year that I have worked in an active hotel, I have worked on Christmas. Since 1983, Mumtaz and I have moved into the hotel to allow other colleagues to be off on Christmas. Since Newport Beach, New Years’ Eve has been off limits, I am always off.
3. Since Sam has moved to Toronto, she has always arrived a day or two before Mumtaz and I move in for some R&R. Lately Trevor arrives a day or two later. Depending on the actual date of Christmas, Mumtaz and I will usually be in the hotel a day or two before Christmas so that we can all spend time together in the hotel.
4. For a couple of years, Sam and Trevor’s friends and neighbours join us and we make sure to have a meal together. Sam and Trevor return to Toronto for Christmas festivities with Trevor’s family.
5. Sometimes a group of Mumtaz’s cousins arrive in time to overlap with our stay.
6. New Years’ Eve is usually Mumtaz and me at home although we broke the ban on New Years’ Eve parties a few years ago and have attended 3 over the years. Niagara Region doesn’t really have much in the way of good New Years’ parties but we will keep trying beginning next year.

So actually there is a quite a bit to miss in December this year. We are still considering moving in to the hotel; if we don’t, I will still commute in for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the first half of Boxing Day. We think that next December will be special.

Without belabouring the point, I believe that Ontario’s response to the progress of the pandemic since the end of summer has been questionable. Today a new level of restriction was put into place which will last for 5 days after which a complete lockdown, originally forecast for today will take effect. So far the course of this pandemic has followed all predictions made last Spring; it is time to dispense with wishful thinking.