REGINA – In a typical Christmas movie scene, friends and family are seated around a large dining room table enjoying an extravagant feast with all the trimmings.
Many of us are fortunate to enjoy that tradition every year, but for others a stuffed turkey can be out of reach.
“We’re going to be putting on a traditional Christmas dinner for probably about 350 guests,” said Patty Humphreys, a marketing manager with Souls Harbour Rescue Mission.
At the Souls Harbour annual feast Wednesday afternoon, a community gathered around dozens of tables.
The dinner included all the favourite Christmas carols, a turkey dinner and the company of loved ones.
“That’s the best part about Christmas is being with your family right. So, if we could give these guys a great environment with a nice warm plate with great music and some entertainment then that’s what we should be doing,” said Paul Woldu, a Saskatchewan Roughrider who volunteers every year.
On the flip side, some people are more than fortunate and can now even buy a ready-made Christmas turkey dinner to go from the Double Tree Hotel.
“We do it all. We cook it, take it off the bones, we slice it up and its nice and warm. All you have to do is come by and pick it up,” explained Geoffrey Caswell-Murphy, the executive chef at the hotel.
The pilot project was so well received that it’s expected to be expanded next year.
Though, while either option may be non-traditional, it isn’t uncommon according to a psychology professor at the University of Regina.
“Sometimes it’s not even a choice. Sometimes people might not be able to afford a traditional Christmas dinner,” said Thomas Hadjistavropoulos.
But for others, making the choice to do things differently is what Christmas is really all about.
“They feel, for example, that the true spirit of the season is captured best by helping others,” added Hadjistavropoulos.
So, even if you aren’t doing the traditional family Christmas dinner, it’s important to remember to do something meaningful for you in the Christmas spirit.
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