A Letter to St. Nick

By Sabina Manji

Dear Santa,

I hope you and Mrs. Claus are all doing well. I want to ensure you that I’ve been a very good girl this year – I’ve been working hard and helping in my community.

Here’s what I’m wishing for this Christmas:

Chocolatey treats
Dance classes
Tickets to a local play
A toboggan
A pure-bread pup
A healthy winter

Wait a second, Santa. I’m just realizing something. I don’t think I need you to leave these wishes under my tree this year. I can get everything I need from the December edition of The Mom & Caregiver magazine. I’ve included some information below in case you were wishing for any of these items as well! Merry Christmas!

Chocolatey treats – Find a recipe for Red-Nosed Reindeer Cake Pops on page 5. Chocolate cake plus chocolate frosting dipped in chocolate – yum! Plus hear from our registered dietitian (page 19) who reminds us that we can keep a balanced holiday by focusing on unique, seasonal treats rather than everyday items available all year.

Dance classes – Dance Extreme (page 2) touts the benefits of dance classes as a holiday gift – experience enduring joy and self-expression through the magic of dance.

Tickets to a local play – We hear from our nurse practitioner (page 12) that gifting experiences, not material items, creates life-long memories. I would love to spend the evening with a close friend taking in an incredible performance.

A toboggan – It’s time to feel like a kid again! Page 8 wisely reminds us that Christmas should be a time to “enjoy the company of the ones you love, and to seek connection and adventure. Snowball fights. Toboggans.” I like your thinking, Jeremy McCall!

A pure-bread pup – Yes, I’ve become a dog mama and I love it! If you’re looking for a pure-bread pup this winter, Neighbourhood Pet (page 22) gives tips on things to avoid and consider when dealing with breeders. Wishing you a purr-fect holiday season, fellow pet parents!

A healthy winter – I just want to avoid getting sick this winter. And I’d definitely like to keep the youngest and oldest people in my life away from RSV. The Middlesex London Health Unit (page 6) tells us everything we need to know about RSV (wash those hands, everybody!)

With love,

Sabina

Sabina Manji, a lifelong Londoner, is an irrepressible entrepreneur, mother of a wonderful son, and also a committed volunteer.