Hi friends!
When my second was an infant, I once poured formula powder on the counter, added water to the bottle, shook it up, and was about to hand it to my baby... water. Just water. Sleep deprivation is real.
I'm not that tired anymore—but I'm also not not tired. Case in point: Tuesday's poll didn't actually work. The buttons weren't clickable. 🤦♀️ So here it is again, vote for real this time(poll at the bottom of this issue.) Because I genuinely need to know where we stand on the Christmas Tree Debate.
The Weather: ☁️ Friday is moody grey, but the weekend is a full rinse cycle.☔️ Heavy rain starts Saturday night.
Option 1: The Main Event
The Gist: Gone are the days when you could spy on the neighbour’s at night? Well, Yaletown is giving the kids and us a taste of the good old days.
Yaletown's heritage buildings become glowing storybooks. Projections in windows show silhouettes and quiet moments—strangers cooking, dancing, just living. It's art, it's a walk, it's a reason to get everyone out after dark.
Why it wins: It’s free, it’s genuinely pretty, and it upgrades a post-dinner walk from “why are we outside?” to “okay… this is cool.”
📍 Where: Yaletown Heritage District & Waterfront
⏰ When: Daily 5:00 PM – Midnight (Until Jan 11)
👶 Ages: All ages (Visual/Sensory)
🚽 Potty: Hit the Community Centre or a cafe before you start walking.
💸 Cost: Free
The Move: Check the link for the map so you’re not aimlessly wandering in the rain “looking for the lights.” Go after an early dinner on Saturday. Lights look best once it's fully dark (~5:30 PM).
Canada Line to Yaletown-Roundhouse drops you right there.
Option 2: The "Low Drag" Play
The Gist: A drop-in Friday-evening club for Grades K–7: crafts, books, and low-key activities—social time for them, zero planning for you.
Why it wins: It’s free, drop-in (no registration panic), indoors, and the library explicitly welcomes kids to move, stim, or take breaks. Translation: no stress if your kid isn’t a “sit-still” type.
📍 Where: Terry Salman Branch (Hillcrest Community Centre)
⏰ When: Fri, Jan 9 | 6:30–7:30 PM
👶 Ages: Grades K–7
🚽 Potty: Easy (community centre washrooms)
💸 Cost: Free (drop-in)
The Move: It's weekly, so no pressure. If this Friday's a bust, it'll be there next week.
Option 3: The Wildcard
The Gist: It’s the largest outdoor skating rink in the region (12,000 sq ft), and it's right on the water in North Van.
Why it wins: Two words: Retractable. Roof. It can be pouring rain (which it probably will be), and you are still gliding—or clinging to the wall—in dry peace.
📍 Where: The Shipyards Commons, North Vancouver
⏰ When: Daily, 12:00–8:00 PM (now until the end of the season)
👶 Ages: All ages (best if your kid can handle the cold / has patience for skates)
🚽 Potty: Easy (lots of nearby businesses) + ocean is right over there 💁♀️
💸 Cost: Free entry
⛸️ Rentals: $8 adults / $5.50 kids (limited supply)
The Move: Go right at noon for the calmest vibes, or after 6pm if you want it more lively. If you need rentals, arrive early; quantities are limited.
☔ The "It's Pouring" Backup Plan
The Gist: Head to the 4th floor of the Art Gallery for a drop-in studio. This Sunday, it's recording chart drawings and watercolours—inspired by the Indigenous art collection and the Emily Carr exhibition.
No formal instruction, just art educators floating around to help. Make stuff, wander the gallery, feel cultured.
Why it wins: It’s indoors, flexible (come and go), and your kid leaves with a thing they made—which buys you at least 12 minutes of pride.
📍 Where: Vancouver Art Gallery (Downtown)
⏰ When: Sunday, Jan 11 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Tour at 2:00 PM)
👶 Ages: 5-12 is the sweet spot for the tour; crafting is for everyone.
🚽 Potty: Yes, clean gallery bathrooms.
💸 Cost: Kids Free. Adults require an admission fee (unless you're a member).
The Move: Go 11:00–12:30 for the calmest energy, then stay for the 2:00pm family tour (you sign up the same day in The Making Place).
📊 Let's Settle This (Take Two)
Where do you stand on the Great Christmas Tree Debate?
- 🪓 The Ruthless: Gone December 26th. I needed my floor space back.
- 🗓️ The Traditionalist: Took it down New Year's weekend. New year, clean slate.
- ⛪ The Purist: Took it down January 6th (Twelfth Night). I follow the rules.
- ✨ The Cozy Keeper: Still up. It's dark outside and I like the lights.
- 💀 The Denial: It lives here now. It's a Valentine's Bush.
Got one friend who’d love this?
Forward this to them and save them an hour of doom-scrolling “what should we do this weekend?”
We’ve got this!
Saba Yazdani
The Cambie Memo
