Holiday Edition Q & A

The holiday season is here, bringing with it the cozy moments we all hold dear. For this special edition of our Comfort Series, we posed a heartwarming question to some of our comfort-loving notables: What is your favourite holiday tradition, big or small?

Whether it’s cozying up with a favorite book, baking a classic family recipe, or something wonderfully unique, we wanted to know what brings them joy and comfort this time of year. Their answers are as diverse and inspiring as they are, offering a glimpse into the traditions that make the season magical.

So, grab a cup of something warm, snuggle into your favourite This is J pjs, and join us in celebrating the moments that make the holidays special. After all, comfort is at the heart of every tradition worth keeping (and everything we do).

Wishing you and yours a cozy, comfortable season with the ones you love.

Happy Holidays, 

J.

Amanda Alvaro's Favourite Holiday Tradition

"Like so many, my mom loved to bake at Christmas. She’d roll out the shortbread and assemble the squares. The kids would decorate everything with 80s sprinkles and cherries on top. Some of my favourite memories of her include setting out the fresh baked display of cookies and us all diving in.

To keep that holiday baking tradition alive, I started baking at Christmas with my girlfriends. For almost 20 years we have baked in friendly competition on a day we affectionately call, “Baking Day” . We are now more than 20 women who come together in my home baking and decorating dozens of treats for Covenant House and for our families. It’s my favourite day of the year filled with peels of laughter and a genuine appreciation for the comfort and warmth of being surrounded by our girlfriends, the women who are the heart centre of their own homes. It’s also, of course, an ode to my mom, the OG of my baking tradition. Maybe for our 20th anniversary next year, we’ll bake in pajamas ;)"

Kayla Grey's Favourite Holiday Tradition

“During the holiday season I love to look at the year as a whole and take the time to reflect on what was important to my family and I. From there I build our tree based on a theme incorporating DIY ornaments."

Joseph Tito's Favourite Holiday Tradition 

"Our families’ favorite holiday tradition has to be baking cookies and watching Christmas movies on Friday nights! There's something so cozy and magical about the smell of fresh-baked cookies filling the house while the glow of holiday lights sets the perfect backdrop for classic festive films. It's the ultimate way to unwind, indulge a little, and get into the holiday spirit." 

Brigitte Truong's Favourite Holiday Tradition

“Four years ago, when I met my husband, we started a gifting tradition that I'd love to keep on keeping on! Each year, we exchange two gifts; one for something the other needs and one for something they want. The gifts don’t have to be extravagant by any means but every year, we’re amazed by the thoughtfulness behind each gift and deeply grateful for the effort and care.” 

“Following our move out of the city last winter, we’re REALLY excited to be celebrating the holidays for the first time in our new home. In addition to our favourite holiday pastimes like playing classic Christmas songs on repeat, baking holiday cookies as a family, and watching old Christmas movies - this year, we are starting a brand new tradition of going to cut down our very own Christmas tree ;) Just call us the Griswalds! ;)” 

Ali Budd's Favourite Holiday Tradition

“I love wrapping presents for our kids with my husband. Every year we lock our door and hide in the closet and drink wine and wrap. Its funny – our kids know exactly what we are doing now and beg to come in! It’s a small thing, but its special. And, When we light the menorah, we always talk about the miracles we have seen the past year. Sometimes they are small, sometimes big :) always a way to find the light…”