There are many people out there excited to have Grey Cup and Thanksgiving behind them so they can get their Christmas on. Most retail stores are playing holiday sing-a-long favourites despite the fact that the month of November was barely over. Bah-humbug.
For me, there is no better way to spend Christmas Day than on a powder soft sandy beach watching the sun come up over the horizon while sipping a strong, robust cup of the most delectable coffee the taste pallet can imagine. Simply, perfect.
While mulling over my disgust at the outrageous prices of travel that includes Christmas Day, I mused about why consumers are financially preyed upon at a time of year when families could use the extra money to help bring family and friends closer together or spending more money on food and necessities. It seems so unfair.
Airline and tour companies will close to triple their flight and vacation package prices from December 18, 2018 to mid-January, 2019. The airline companies have done it year after year and will charge exorbitant rates during the Christmas season until the end of time.
Why? Because they know consumers will beg, borrow and overextend credit to be with their families or conduct business during the last two weeks of the year. It’s a travesty.
Grumbling to my dog about the unfairness of travel prices, a thought came to me. Christmas 2018 will be the last quiet Christmas in Kitimat. The LNG Canada processing plant construction that is underway will bring workers and families, by the thousands, to the area starting in the Spring of 2019. Once the flow of people starts, Kitimat will never be the same.
The changes about to come to this area got me thinking about my own arrival to Kitimat a short three years ago and how great it has been to live and work here.
One of the things I truly enjoy is the small-town, community vibe of Kitimat. Another is the beauty of the area and how quiet it is. That is all about to change.
Don’t get me wrong. I am as excited as the next person about the LNG Canada project (and others) proceeding and what it means for Kitimat, B.C. and Canada.
With big business comes big change and while nothing will happen overnight - the District of Kitimat will double in size in the next four years.
That’s a lot of new people, which means more community spirit! It’s all good.
This year, let’s take a moment to enjoy how small and cozy our community is. Brave the rain and get together, as a community, to enjoy all of the activities the District of Kitimat has to offer this holiday season.
This may be the last Christmas where Kitimat will truly have silent nights while waiting for Santa to arrive. Each moment is precious - take time to enjoy the spirit of the season and the amazing community we live in.