The hustle and bustle of the holiday season is upon us and I’ve found myself reflecting on the expectations we often carry around this time of year.
As women, it’s easy to feel the extra weight of the season, from cooking, to cleaning, to preparing, and making everything look just right, from the tree decorations to the thoughtfully chosen gifts, each one wrapped with a perfect little bow.
When I was a younger, these expectations felt even heavier. Extended family traditions were passed down without question, and my generation rarely stopped to ask whether they still served us. We simply worked hard to make sure everyone else was happy.
Over the years, I’ve heard my own children question these traditions. They could see the stress I carried in my effort to make the day “perfect,” and their voices made me reflect on what truly mattered.
This year marks my first Christmas where there will be no decorations, no cooking, no cleaning, no wrapping, and no endless prepping. You might think it would feel strange or not “Christmassy,” but surprisingly, it doesn’t. Because the older I get, the more I realize the truth in the quote: It’s not what’s around the Christmas tree that matters, it’s who’s around it.
This year, we’re celebrating Navidad in Mexico with our family, immersing ourselves in the richness of Mexican culture and tradition. Christmas in Mexico is vibrant, meaningful, and rooted in community, faith, heritage, and, most importantly, family togetherness. The Mexican people spare nothing when it comes to celebrating Navidad, and we are grateful to have the privilege of experiencing their traditions first hand.
We’re centering ourselves around that spirit this year, letting go of the pressures, embracing what truly matters and celebrating the gift of simply being together.
However you choose to celebrate, I wish you peace, joy, and an abundance of love. May you experience the true meaning of Christmas with your loved ones.
Merry Christmas!
Buyers are Staying Active in Winter Months
Home prices in Saskatoon have risen by about 7% this year, and demand continues to outpace new listings. Many buyers have been searching for months, hoping to find the right home and sometimes waiting can mean missing out. That’s why I’ve been encouraging my buyers to stay active and continue their search during the colder winter months.
While desirable homes are still selling quickly, often with multiple buyers showing interest, the good news is that bidding wars aren’t as intense as they typically are in the spring. This creates real opportunities for motivated buyers who are ready to act now.
For serious buyers, waiting until spring could mean facing even more competition and higher prices. Staying active this winter may give you a better chance of finding and securing the home you’ve been dreaming of. In a fast-moving market, timing can make all the difference.