by Delphine from Quebec City asks Santa about a Christmas tree storage bag, learns about the St. Lawrence River, and hears about Quebec’s Réveillon and French heritage
Dear Santa, my name is Delphine and I am nine years old. I live in Quebec City, Canada, where my grand-maman says our old town looks so much like a piece of Europe that visitors sometimes forget which continent they are on.
Dear Delphine, I have had that exact feeling myself flying over your city, and your grand-maman is not exaggerating in the slightest.
Santa, I have three questions.
My first question is, can I get a Christmas tree bag? Our real tree always makes a mess going out the door in January and my papa is tired of vacuuming needles.
A good tree storage or disposal bag solves that problem beautifully, Delphine, and your papa’s frustration is entirely understandable. Needles have a talent for hiding in the strangest places for months afterward.
My second question is about our river. My teacher says the St. Lawrence River is one of the most important waterways in North America. Is that true?
It is, Delphine. The St. Lawrence River connects the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, shaping the history, trade, and settlement of the entire region for centuries. Flying along its frozen, moonlit surface on Christmas Eve is one of my favorite stretches through Canada.
My third question is about Réveillon. My family stays up very late for a big feast on Christmas Eve, speaking French the whole time, just like in France. Why does our celebration feel so French here?
Quebec’s Christmas traditions reflect its deep French heritage, Delphine, including Réveillon, the late-night Christmas Eve feast, carried and preserved by French settlers many generations ago and still celebrated proudly today. I think it is a beautiful example of a culture carrying its traditions carefully across centuries and an entire ocean.
Merry Christmas, Santa.
Your friend,
Delphine Tremblay
Quebec City, Canada
P.S. Joyeux Noël, Santa.
Joyeux Noël to you too, Delphine. Practiced carefully, just for Quebec.
