I am not exaggerating when I say I experienced absolute joy Friday evening attending the Kaleidoscope Market at the Old Camborne Schoolhouse. My daughter and I were at the Eatons Centre in Toronto with cousins that day, and we specifically set our schedule to be back in time for the market, a one-room schoolhouse full of nervous young creators, beautiful handmade wares, and the sweetest Christmassy vibe you can imagine.
These kids make the loveliest things! We arrived home arms loaded with: a magic wand, natural skin exfoliant, herbal hand balm, cookies and homemade peppermint marshmallows, Christmas cards, Christmas ornaments, a hand printed sketchbook, a hand painted worry stone, beeswax candles in the shape of Christmas trees, a bracelet, what else, what else, what else?
I bought as much from this market as I did during a five hour jaunt through the Eatons Centre, and I’m much more excited about the market goodies.
Every single thing we purchased was a delight, and the makers were all under 18 - many not yet teens! The room was full of parents and community members chatting and catching up, and there were baked goods and hot chocolate on offer for a donation to the food bank. The windows were decorated with cedar swags, and the young makers were dressed in period costume. Every element of the event felt cozy, welcoming, and sweet.
As my kids outgrow the “typical” Christmas magic I find it harder and harder to get in the holiday spirit. I don’t get as excited as I used to, and many of my old traditions feel a bit flat. This market is the antidote for me. I had a twinkle in my eye the next morning and suddenly I was ready to put up the Christmas decorations; decorations that now include two new handmade ornaments.
My household has aged out of the feverish excitement of letters to Santa and lots of toys and energy and noise, and sometimes that makes me sad. It is hard to let go of the special things that slip through your fingers against your will, like all those years watching my kids’ Christmas delight.
It’s a little easier, though, when new, beautiful traditions offer themselves up to fill the empty spaces.
xo
Shannon
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Featured Song - Christmas Eve Lullaby
What the heck, we’re going all the way for it with the holiday spirit. This song was written by my beloved late friend and collaborator, Jane Perry. I had the honour of recording it with her years ago, and it never fails to make me smile.