The year is drawing to a close and it doesn’t take any reflection to figure out that the biggest story of the year was the global economic meltdown and subsequent recession. Of course this is forefront on everyone’s minds – while many governments have stepped up and bailed out their big banks and lowered interest rates in an effort to stimulate their economies, in the past twelve months we’ve watched as the Canadian dollar devalued, cried as the value of our RRSPs shrunk by 40% and despaired over the possibility of joining the growing ranks of the unemployed. Merry Christmas!

But just hold on a minute. It’s the Yuletide season and quite frankly, I’d like a break from all the chatter and anxiety about the economy. This is the time of year to come together with our families and relax (although I recognize that for many people the words “family” and “relax” don’t belong in the same sentence). In the spirit of the season I’d like to forget about the recession for a bit. I’d like to shift the focus from the macrocosm to the microcosm, so rather than examine the economic stimulus of bailouts and lowered interest rates, I’d prefer to consider the smaller picture… Eric Stimulus, if you will. In other words, let’s focus on me.

I’ve been a good lad this year, and apart from one too many gin and tonics on a balmy August evening (I wasn’t staggering, I swear it was the wind) I feel that I’m karmically in a very good place. Years ago when I was just knee-high to a paint stick, I would prepare for Christmas by poring through the Eaton’s catalogue and diligently ticking off all the toys I wanted Santa to lavish on me. Was I greedy and delusional? Not at all – I was being proactive and efficient. Of course I didn’t get all the things I’d ticked off, but I was sending out a message and I was hopeful. So as an adult I’d like to apply the same ethic, filled with hope, and itemize a few things that I’d like to find under my tree this year. Herewith my Christmas wish list for 2008:

1. The Canadian Tire telescopic shovel – this lightweight aluminum shovel has a collapsible handle which makes it easy to store in a closet or the trunk of a car and retails for a cool $14.99. With a forecast for a white Christmas in Vancouver, this item gets first place on my list.

2. A flight to Maui – there’s room on an Air Canada flight leaving Vancouver December 24, returning January 8 and it’s going for a cool $972.00. With a forecast for a white Christmas in Vancouver, this item gets second place on my list (second only because I realize I have greater odds of receiving a shovel).

3. Olive tapenade and Dare Soy and Sesame crackers – sometimes it really is the simpler things that delight. Crushed olives, garlic, artichokes and capers along with a few other unpronounceable ingredients on top of savoury crackers…mmmmm….deelish. You can pick these up at Safeway for about $11, or you can grab Meinhardt’s own brand of tapenade for a few extra clams. Well worth it!

4. Columbia Henry’s Fork III Fishing Vest – didn’t know I was a fishing enthusiast? Well now you do. This bad boy has 6 large-capacity pockets for holding gear and boasts 2 handy pigtail clip retractors. It also has a removable sherpa fly keeper, a rod holder and an additional back storage pocket. While I don’t plan on doing any fishing until the weather warms up, I’ll cherish this vest and keep it safe and warm until the fish are biting and the winter chill isn’t.

And thus endeth my Christmas wish list for 2008. All levity aside, despite what I may find under my tree this year, I do wish all of you a very happy and safe holiday season. Please enjoy, and I look forward to connecting with you again in the new year.