Comments on: Tips For Watching The Christmas Parade With Kids

By: Canadian Personal Finance Blog » Blog Archive » Random Thoughts on a Black Friday

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 06:37:41 +0000

[...] Four Pillars brings a Holiday Spirit with the post Tips For Watching a Christmas Parade with Kids . �My tip? Pay teenage kid $40 to take kids, and stay [...]

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:42:17 +0000

Kevin, that is absolutely brilliant. No waiting around and the kids see what they want to see.

I’ll see you there next year!

By: Smac20

Smac20 — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:39:05 +0000

I think I’ll be watching the parade this year from home. I know it’s fun to be there, but I’m going to be a party pooper this year. Have fun.

By: Kevin Press

Kevin Press — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 01:33:29 +0000

My wife and I have mastered this. If you’ve got young kids (ours are 4 and 2), take them by subway to the Christie station. That’s where the parade officially begins, and it’s where the float line joins up with the marching band line. As you come out of the subway station, head for Bloor Street; that’s where the floats are. Walk west, leisurely along Bloor. Your kids will see all the floats, which is what matters most to them. The crowds get progressively thinner as you head west, which makes the parade that much more enjoyable. And you’ll be next to Santa in less than half an hour. Hop into the next subway station, and head home for hot chocolate.

By: Four Pillars

Four Pillars — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:24:08 +0000

Thanks for the great tip Kris – I’ve never heard of the Aurora event so maybe I’ll check it out.

By: Kris

Kris — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:26:36 +0000

I would say go to a smaller parade (at least with the smaller kids). We’ll be heading to the Aurora “Santa Under the Stars” this weekend, and we can get there just as it starts. The floats aren’t as amazing as the Toronto parade, but the kids love being front row.

By: Four Pillars

Four Pillars — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:27:23 +0000

Guinness – Haha – are you sure that wasn’t the Pride parade?

By: guinness416

guinness416 — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:19:22 +0000

This new canadian actually saw the montreal one on sunday Mike, which was far superior to the TO parade due to the cute stripy sweaters that the 25 year old quebec firemen were wearing. Zut alors!

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:36:54 +0000

Bringing a new Canadian is a good idea (Guinness416?)

Actually it was my first time attending the parade even though I’ve lived in Toronto for 16 years.

By: Kathryn

Kathryn — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:21:09 +0000

Fun post! I would also add:

1) Try to bring a new Canadian. Parades are a fascinating cultural observation. Taking someone with you who has never seen a parade before and seeing it through their eyes is an experience not to be missed. We went last week too and one thing I noticed is how few ethnic minorities were present, in the parade but also in the crowds.

2) Bring your own coffee. The lineups at Starbucks was so long our spouses missed the first part of the parade.