No, we don’t have the lighting of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller center, nor do we have Mariah Carey unveiling The Bay’s annual Christmas window display, but by golly, Ottawa’s got some really great community rituals that should become official annual traditions.
I grew up in Toronto, so I am just now creating my Ottawa traditions with my family. Here are some of my faves!

You look forward to the reveal of Flower’s Talk Tivoli Christmas window display.

A photo posted by Flowers Talk Tivoli (@flowerstalkot) on Nov 14, 2016 at 4:28pm PST

You start shopping at Tinseltown Christmas Emporium in Hintonburg because it is now acceptable.

Deparent 56! #ottawachristmas #ottawa #department56

A photo posted by Tinseltown Christmas Emporium (@tinseltownchristmas) on May 18, 2015 at 4:26pm PDT

You head over to your local farmer’s market to get your Christmas tree

Christmas traditions: «… then Herod was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the trees that were two years old and under …»

A post shared by David Megginson (@david.megginson) on Nov 24, 2017 at 4:53am PST

You round up the gang and make boxes for the ShoeBox Project

Thank you so much @chantsy for your generous donation to the Shoebox Project. Your participation goes a long way in making this holiday season special for women struggling under tough circumstances ❤️

A post shared by The Shoebox Project Ottawa (@shoeboxprojectottawa) on Dec 3, 2017 at 7:16am PST

You tune into Majic 100.3 on December 1 like clockwork for their all-day Christmas music

It’s official! MAJIC 100 is Ottawa’s Christmas Music Station! #MAJIC100 #Ottawa #OttCity #Radio #ChristmasMusic #HoHoHo

A photo posted by MAJIC 100 (@majic100ottawa) on Nov 20, 2015 at 6:03am PST

You take the family on a slow drive down Taffy Lane in Orleans because it’s warmer in the car and it’s free. You also wonder “who is paying the hydro bill?”

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Bethany: Is your house on fire, Clark? Clark: No, Aunt Bethany, those are the Christmas lights. ? . . Have you been to Taffy Lane in Orleans? It’s the best and cheapest way to get your Christmas light fix?Theses are some pretty committed citizens and we thank them for their duty! I saw a house hosting a food drive, so make sure you pay it forward ? This is part of our Christmas tradition in Ottawa… what’s yours? . . #myOttawa #ottawa #ottcity #igersOttawa #613 #yow #ottawalife #narcityOttawa #613style #ottawaphoto #yowstyle #ottawastyle #ottawafashion #ottawau #ottawablogger #ottawablog #ottnews #canadianblog #canadianblogger #canadianstyle #canadianfashionblogger #canadianfashionblog #canadianfashion #orleans #taffylane #christmaslightshow #ottawachristmas #thingstodoinottawa

A post shared by Fashion • Ottawa • Influencer (@chantsy) on Dec 2, 2017 at 7:24pm PST

You take the kids to see Santa at Billings Bridge. It’s tough competition out there, but he’s the best lookin’ one in town!

Are you ready to kick off your holiday festivities? If so, we’d love to have you join us on Saturday, November 14th as we welcome Santa to Billings Bridge! You’re invited to join us at our welcome party from 1-2pm, followed by a visit with Santa from 2-4pm. For more info on our event visit our blog via our bio link ??! #ottawa #happyholidays #santa

A photo posted by Billings Bridge (@billingsbridge) on Nov 5, 2015 at 2:00pm PST

You take out your copy of “Santa’s coming to Ottawa” and keep it on your kids’ TOP READS list for bedtime stories

Today was all about V ??On the menu this evening a good book ? and homemade pumpkin cup-a-soup ☕️ #santaiscomingtoottawa @costco_canada #Ottawa #myottawa #boymom #ottawablogger #stevesmallman @stefano_tambellini

A photo posted by Ottawa • Fashion Blogger (@chantsy) on Nov 14, 2015 at 4:13pm PST

You hit up Lansdowne for their tree lighting ceremony and Christmas markets

Top 5 FESTIVE things to do at Lansdowne this December! . 1. Christmas Tree Lighting! December 1st from 5:30pm-8:30pm . . 2. Lansdowne Christmas Market Dec. 2-3, 9-10, 23 from 9am-3pm . . 3. Ottawa 67’s Teddy Bear Toss & Free Post-Game Skate December 10 at 2pm . . 4. Holiday Pottery Sale December 8-10 . . 5. Hoffman-eh! December 31 from 6pm-Midnight . . Want more details? Click the link in our bio!! ? @landonspics #lansdownelive #lansdownepark #tdplace.

A post shared by Eat • Shop • Play (@lansdownelive) on Nov 29, 2017 at 3:18pm PST

You pack snacks in the car… “We’re going to Kanata to see the #Magicoflights at Wesley Clover Parks Campground!”

FeLt like i was in some sort of TwiLight Zone But it’s the LittLe Things that makes them Happy #MagicOfLights #FaMiLyNight #WithTheFam #LeNNonLovedIt #AutoCLubSpeedWay #TwiLightZone #LightTuNNeL #ChristmasLights #HarPerSteLLa

A post shared by Mimi Jung (@mj7o2) on Dec 3, 2017 at 11:29pm PST

What’s your favourite thing to do in Ottawa at Christmas time?