Memories of Christmas - Since 1972

Christmas is a very special time for me.

I was looking over some old photos today and thought I would create a visual memory of Christmas past. Whether traveling to see family, or going to Disney, Hawaii, Antarctica, or simply staying home - the season is packed with memories of family and friends.

So here are years of Christmas memories (back to 1972), in reverse order:

2025 - Christmas time again!

2024 - A trip to Calgary for skiing and Harrison Hot Springs for mom's new house!

2023 - A Disney Christmas!

2022 - A visit from Santa, also a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica!

2021 - Our second pandemic Christmas

2020 - Our first pandemic Christmas, rare picture without masks!

2019 - Christmas in our crazy pajamas

2018 - Christmas in our new home in Boynton Beach, Florida

2017 - First Christmas (in shorts) in Florida

2016 - Cali's First Christmas in New York

2015 - Family in New York, days before Cali is born!

2014 - Brooklyn's First Christmas in New York

2013 - Christmas in Myrtle Beach

2012 - Christmas in New York

2011 - Christmas in New York

2010 - Christmas in Chicago

2009 - Christmas in North Carolina

2008 - Christmas on Sunshine Coast, B.C.

2007 - Christmas at Disney World

2006 - Christmas in Markham, Ontario

2005 - Christmas in Markham, Ontario

2004 - Christmas in Markham, Ontario

2003 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

2002 - Christmas at Disney World

2001 - Christmas in Newmarket, Ontario

2000 - Christmas in Newmarket, Ontario

1999 - Mila's First Christmas in Winnipeg, Manitoba

1998 - Christmas in Winnipeg, Manitoba

1997 - Danica's First Christmas in Winnipeg, Manitoba

1996 - Christmas in Winnipeg, Manitoba

1995 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1994 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1993 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1992 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1991 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1990 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1989 - Christmas in Hawaii

1988 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1987 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1986 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1985 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1984 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1983 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1982 - Christmas in Calgary, Alberta

1981 - Christmas in St. Albert, Alberta

1980 - Christmas with Oreo in St. Albert, Alberta

1979 - Christmas with crazy dad in St. Albert, Alberta

1978 - Christmas in St. Albert, Alberta

1977 - Christmas with Grandma Dona in Shuswap, B.C.

1976 - Christmas with Grandpa Bob in Shuswap, B.C.

1975 - Christmas in St. Albert, Alberta

1974 - Christmas in St. Albert, Alberta

1973 - Christmas with Tracey in Virden, Manitoba

1972 - Christmas in Edmonton, Alberta

Christmas is also about music. Perhaps you have read my blog on my favorite songs.


Here are my favorite Christmas songs - in order. You can also listen to them all together in this YouTube playlist.


1. The Greatest Gift - Andrea Bocelli, Matteo Bocelli, Virginia Bocelli

2. Christmas Eve - Gwen Stefani

3. Christmas Time - Bryan Adams

4. 2000 Miles - The Pretenders

 

5. Happy Xmas (War is over) - John Lennon





6. Little Drummer Boy - Pentatonix




7. O Holy Night - Josh Grobin




8. Mary's Boy Child - Boney M



9. Do They Know It's Christmas? - Band Aid

10. Hallelujah - Pentatonix

11. Silent Night - Kelly Clarkson, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire



12. The First Noel - Carrie Underwood



13. O Come All Ye Faithful - Josh Grobin



I hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas & Holiday season and may all of your hopes
and dreams be fulfilled!

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Read some other stories from A Few Thoughts - Jay McBain:

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My Life Story - Have you ever thought about the impact of big decisions that you made in your life? How about the small ones or the ones made for you? How would have your life turned out if things went the other way?

My Love Story - Michelle and met on October 15, 2010 in a serendipitous way. We were both part of a charity in Raleigh, NC and one night at a dinner struck up a conversation about many things - including our love of travel.

My Housing Story - After 13 moves and stops in three Canadian Provinces and three U.S. States, here is my journey in pictures from the Northwest to the Southeast of North America.

My Car Story - I have the dubious honor of getting speeding tickets on all 6 driveable continents - lucky that there are no cars in Antarctica! Did I ever tell you the time I passed the Polizia in Italy with my mom?

My Travel Story - The story started with a "Rollerblades and Red Bull" journey to 100 countries. It is now expanding in every direction after hitting 7 continents and the 7 wonders of the world (most with kids in tow).

My Nautical Story - I am pretty sure the love of water started in 1972 when I was six weeks old and my grandparents Bob and Dona McBain retired to Shuswap, British Columbia, Canada, and built a log cabin.

My Crazy MBA Story - In the summer of 2017, while climbing Machu Picchu, Peru as part of my wife Michelle’s International MBA from Manhattan College, I thought – why not me?

My Hockey Story - As long as I can remember, I have been playing hockey. Over four and a half decades and thousands of games later, I still lace them up a couple times a week, year-round.

My Cycling Story - When the Covid-19 pandemic first took hold in March 2020 we responded quickly as a family - including strict stay at home orders and no outside contact until we could get a handle on the risks. My attention now turned to exercise - and biking across North America (virtually).

My Retirement Story - I have no interest in disconnecting fully from the work that makes me so fulfilled. I could never see myself  in bingo-playing retired life. I want to stay curious, engaged, and adding value past the (very specific) date in 2034 that I am aiming for.

My Music Story - My favorite music can be best defined as sad / emotional / multi-level slow music. Oddly, it is opposite of my worldview - which is normally overly-positive and optimistic.

My Movie Story - Oddly enough, I think Pretty Woman made me very interested in business. I named my cat Austin Powers - oh, and yes, "Danger" is his middle name. Our current dog is named August Rush (Auggie Doggy). Movies such as Planes, Trains & Automobiles, Forrest Gump, & National Lampoon's Vacation have become soundtracks to my life.