We are nearing that time of year! The long awaited winter break is near! But, we all know right before the break is the most stressful time during the year. The students in school have their big assignments and exams to write. The university students are spending way too much time studying for their papers and finals coming up. Many of the students living away from home don’t even have the time come home for the weekends.

Then, there’s work… The workplace gets that much more stressful before the break. For some reason, right before the break everyone is a little more stressed than usual. On top of that, with your co-workers disappearing off to their vacations during the last few days before the break, the workload just gets that much heavier. But, this countdown to the break is what gets me through this stressful time!

In my family, we enjoy the cold wintery Christmas feeling so; we never go on vacation during the break. Christmas just doesn’t feel the same without the hot cocoa, the Christmas tree, and of course, the snow.

Speaking of snow, ever since we had our first snow fall last week, I started the countdown to the Winter break. That’s all I can think about. Let’s not kid ourselves, as soon as Remembrance day passes and the chilly days are here, all we can think about is that Christmas break. So, who said the countdown only starts 12 days before Christmas? I am excited to go shopping for everyone for their Christmas presents. With Black Friday coming up, all the stores are having their sales! Perfect!  The best part about gifts is wrapping. You sneak around trying to hide as you wrap everyone’s gift. When you’re done, you place them under the Christmas tree with their names on a card attached to each. It is exciting to see them analyze their gifts in their small, medium and large packages. Spend Christmas day wearing ugly Christmas sweaters and exchanging our gifts. Taking lots of photos and preparing a home-made meal that will complete Christmas day.

With all this Christmas talk, we forget to think about the other countdown that nears right after. We are close to our last days of the 2014 year and soon we will be celebrating the 2015 years. Every New Year is a time for a fresh new start and new resolutions. It’s definitely a time to celebrate the last year and to a better new year. Pop out the party hats, streamers and balloons. Pour some champagne for the adults and prepare for the midnight countdown!! Soon, we will Cheers to the 2015 New Year. Wishing everyone the best last few days of 2014!!!