INTERNATIONAL AND IMMIGRANT STUDENTS GUIDE TO

SPENDING THE HOLIDAYS IN CANADA

DIVERSITY AND INTERCULTURAL SERVICES

CANADIAN CONNECTION PROGRAM

RED RIVER COLLEGE

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Places to Explore this Holiday Break ...................................................................... 3

Canada’s Favorite Holiday Films ............................................................................. 3

Canada’s Traditional Holiday Songs....................................................................... 4

Winnipeg’s Christmas Cheerboard ......................................................................... 8

Canadian Cooking: Traditional Holiday Recipes ..................................................... 8

Top Ways to Spend New Year's Eve in Winnipeg ................................................. 13

Preparing for Winter in Canada ........................................................................... 14

Questions or Concerns over the Holiday Break Closure ...................................... 16

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Wishing you all a Happy Holiday Season full of

joy!

From: Your friends in Diversity and

Intercultural Services

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Places to Explore this Holiday Break

Outdoor Fun at Fort Whyte Alive

Indoor Ice Skating in Winnipeg

Tobogganing in Winnipeg – City Locations

Winnipeg Night Life

Get out of the city and explore Birdshill Provincial Park or Beaudry Park

Outdoor exploration at Windsor Park Nordic Centre

Events happening at the Forks

CANADA’S FAVORITE HOLIDAY FILMS

It’s cold outside, so grab your laptop and rent any of these famous Holiday films:

Top 5 Favorites:

1. A Christmas Story 2. Elf 3. Home Alone 4. Christmas Vacation 5. How the Grinch Stole Christmas

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TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY SONGS

Frosty the Snowman Lyrics http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjscH2WBWjw

Frosty the snowman was a jolly happy soul With a corncob pipe and a button nose

and two eyes made out of coal Frosty the snowman is a fairy tale they say

He was made of snow but the children know how he came to life one day

There must have been some magic in that old silk hat they found

For when they placed it on his head he began to dance around

O Frosty the snowman

was alive as he could be And the children say he could laugh

and play just the same as you and me Thump thump thump thump thump thump

Look at Frosty go Thump thump thump thump thump thump Over the hills of snow

Frosty the snowman knew the sun was hot that day

So he said "Let's run and

we'll have some fun now before I melt away " Down to the village

with a broomstick in his hand

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Running here and there all around the square saying

Catch me if you can He led them down the streets of town

right to the traffic cop And he only paused a moment when

he heard him holler "Stop!" For Frosty the snow man had to hurry on his way

But he waved goodbye saying "Don't you cry

I'll be back again some day " thumpty thump thump

thump thump thump Look at Frosty go

thumpty thump thump thump thump thump Over the hills of snow

Oh, Dreydl Played at Hanukkah; the holiday of lights, a dreydl is a beautiful little spinning top as well as a great toy and game.

I have a little dreydl I made it out of clay

And when it's dry and ready A dreydl I will play

Oh dreydl, dreydl, dreydl I made you out of clay

And when you're dry and ready A dreydl I will play

My dreydl has four corners And a letter on each face

To remind us of the miracle That long ago took place

The letters also tell us Who will lose or win

I have a pile of goodies (walnuts) I'm ready, let's begin

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Feliz Navidad Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navidad,

Feliz Navidad, Prospero ano y felicidad . . . Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navidad,

Feliz Navidad, Prospero ano y felicidad . . .

I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas

From the bottom of my heart

Jingle Bell Rock http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itcMLwMEeMQ

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring

Snowing and blowing up bushels of fun Now the jingle hop has begun

Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time

Dancing and prancing in Jingle Bell Square In the frosty air.

What a bright time, it's the right time

To rock the night away

Jingle bell time is a swell time To go gliding in a one-horse sleigh

Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet Jingle around the clock

Mix and a-mingle in the jingling feet

That's the jingle bell, That's the jingle bell,

That's the jingle bell rock

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Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujtaAQEWHTI

You know Dasher, and Dancer, and Prancer, and Vixen,

Comet, and Cupid, and Donder and Blitzen But do you recall

The most famous reindeer of all

Rudolph, the red-nosed reindeer had a very shiny nose and if you ever saw it

you would even say it glows.

All of the other reindeer used to laugh and call him names

They never let poor Rudolph play in any reindeer games.

Then one foggy Christmas eve

Santa came to say: "Rudolph with your nose so bright, won't you guide my sleigh tonight?"

Then all the reindeer loved him as they shouted out with glee,

Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer, you'll go down in history!

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WINNIPEG’S CHRISTMAS CHEER BOARD

Every year the Christmas Cheer Board accepts donations of food, toys and money from

individuals and businesses in Manitoba. Volunteers then work tirelessly to prepare hampers of

food and gifts in order to make sure that families who are facing financial struggles can have a

happy and healthy holiday.

If you are a recipient of Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) and would like to apply for a

hamper, please call (204) 948-2022.

If you are not receiving EIA and would like to apply for a hamper, please call (204) 989-5683.

Both phone lines are open Monday to Friday, from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. You must have your

Manitoba Health card ready when you call.

If you would like to volunteer with the Christmas Cheer Board, please call (204) 989-5696 or

click here.

For more information, please visit the Christmas Cheer Board website.

CANADIAN COOKING: TRADITIONAL HOLIDAY RECIPES

The Holidays are often celebrated in Canada with gatherings and sitting down to enjoy a Holiday

Meal. Try and gather some of your RRC friends this holiday season to enjoy the following Holiday

meal staples:

CANADIAN ROASTED TURKEY AND GRAVY:

Ingredients

1 14-pound turkey, neck and heart reserved for Turkey Stock

10 cups favorite stuffing or Sausage Pear Stuffing

1 stick unsalted butter, softened

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

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Turkey Gravy

Cook's Note

If your turkey is larger than the 14-pounder called for in the recipe:

1. Increase length of parchment sheets so you have enough to come up and over the turkey, and to crimp

and staple.

2. Increase cooking time to 10 minutes more per pound before removing the parchment. Begin checking

the temperature 30 minutes after removing parchment.

Directions

Step 1

Let turkey stand at room temperature 1 hour. Preheat oven to 325 degrees with rack in lower third. Pat

turkey dry with paper towels. Fill body cavity with 6 cups stuffing. Fill neck cavity with 4 cups stuffing.

Secure skin flaps with toothpicks or skewers. Spread 6 tablespoons butter over top of turkey, then season

generously with salt and pepper. Tie drumsticks together with kitchen twine. Tuck wings under turkey.

Step 2

Place a 40-inch sheet of parchment on a work surface and spread with remaining 2 tablespoons butter.

Place turkey on top, with a short side of bird facing you. Gather ends, wrapping turkey. Fold overlapping

ends of parchment over turkey and secure with staples. Place a 48-inch sheet of parchment on work

surface, place turkey on top, and rotate 90 degrees. Fold short parchment sides over turkey and secure

with staples. Rotate bird another 90 degrees and repeat process with another 40-inch sheet of parchment.

Secure all paper flaps with staples.

Step 3

Place turkey in parchment on a flat (not V-shaped) rack set inside a roasting pan. Roast turkey 2 hours, 45

minutes. Remove from oven; cut open parchment with scissors. Increase oven temperature to 425

degrees. While holding drumsticks, slide parchment out from under turkey and discard. Return turkey to

oven. Continue to roast turkey until golden brown and a thermometer inserted in breast reads 165

degrees, about 45 minutes more. Transfer to a carving board and let rest at least 45 minutes and up to 1

hour before carving.

Step 4

Meanwhile, remove stuffing from both cavities; transfer to an 8-inch-square baking dish and bake until

thermometer inserted in center of stuffing reads at least 165 degrees, 15 to 20 minutes. Using drippings

in pan, make turkey gravy.

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EGG NOG:

Makes 12 cups (3 L) or 16 servings

Ingredients

16 16egg yolkegg yolks

1-1/3 cups 1-1/3cups(325 mL) (325 mL) icing sugar

3-3/4 cups 3-3/4cups(925 mL) (925 mL) milk

3 cups 3cups(750 mL) (750 mL) whipping cream

1/2 tsp 1/2tsp(2 mL) (2 mL) vanilla

1-1/2 cups 1-1/2cups(375 mL) (375 mL) bourbon or dark rum or brandy

1/4 tsp 1/4tsp(1 mL) (1 mL) nutmeg

Preparation

In saucepan, whisk egg yolks with sugar until smooth. Whisk in milk and 1/2 cup (125 mL) of the cream;

cook over medium heat, stirring and without boiling, until thick enough to coat spoon, 8 to 10 minutes.

Remove from heat.

Stir in 3/4 cup (175 mL) of the remaining cream and vanilla; strain into bowl. Cover and refrigerate until

chilled, about 30 minutes.

Whisk in bourbon; cover and chill for 2 hours. Transfer to punch bowl.

In bowl, lightly whip remaining cream; fold into eggnog. Sprinkle with nutmeg.

CLASSIC GINGERBREAD COOKIES:

Ingredients

7 ounces best-quality semisweet chocolate

1 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 1/4 teaspoons ground ginger

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1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 tablespoon unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter

1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger

1/2 cup dark-brown sugar, packed

1/4 cup unsulfured molasses

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 cup granulated sugar

Directions

Step 1

Line two baking sheets with parchment. Chop chocolate into 1/4-inch chunks; set aside. In a medium bowl,

sift together flour, ground ginger, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and cocoa.

Step 2

In the bowl of an electric mixer, fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and grated ginger until

whitened, about 4 minutes. Add brown sugar; beat until combined. Add molasses; beat until combined.

Step 3

In a small bowl, dissolve baking soda in 1 1/2 teaspoons boiling water. Beat half of flour mixture into

butter mixture. Beat in baking-soda mixture, then remaining half of flour mixture. Mix in chocolate; turn

out onto a piece of plastic wrap. Pat dough out to about 1 inch thick; seal with wrap; refrigerate until firm,

2 hours or more.

Step 4

Heat oven to 325 degrees. Roll dough into 1 1/2- inch balls; place 2 inches apart on baking sheets.

Refrigerate 20 minutes. Roll in granulated sugar. Bake until the surfaces crack slightly, 10 to 12 minutes.

Let cool 5 minutes; transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

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TRADITIONAL HANUKKAH LATKES

INGREDIENTS

5 potatoes

2 onions

3 eggs

1 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

between 1/4 to 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

oil for frying (canola is recommended)

PREPARATION

Yields: approximately 20 pancakes

1. Peel potatoes. Place in a bowl of cold water so they won’t turn brown.

2. When ready to prepare the latkas, drain the potatoes. Place potatoes and onions in a food

processor fitted with a knife blade. Pulse until smooth. Drain mixture well.

3. Pour potato mixture into a large bowl. Add beaten eggs. Add salt and pepper. Add enough

flour so that the mixture holds together.

4. Pour 1 inch of oil into a large, deep frying pan. Heat the oil over medium-high heat.

5. Carefully drop 1/4 cup of the potato mixture into the hot oil.

6. Flatten the pancake slightly so the center will cook.

7. Fry for several minutes on each side until golden brown and cooked through.

8. Drain on paper towels.

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TOP WAYS TO SPEND NEW YEAR'S EVE IN WINNIPEG Much like other places in the world, there are lots of fun things to do on New Year’s Eve in

Winnipeg. Mark the start of the New Year with student friends and explore the city together. Be

sure to check out the website below to find out what’s happening this New Year’s Eve in the Peg.

Visit the Tourism Winnipeg Website.

FREE EVENT: NEW YEARS AT THE FORKS

Forks Market - 1 Forks Market Road Winnipeg MB

P: 204.942.6302

Visit New Years at the Forks to find out more information about this free holiday event

Event Date:

Dec 31, 2014

December 31, 2015

Join the FREE events and family activities at Arctic Glacier Winter Park.

Evening Agenda:

Horse Drawn Wagon Rides 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Kids Art with Art City 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Face Painting and Caricatures 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Live entertainment on the Main Stage in The Forks Market 5:00 pm - 7:00pm

5:00 pm — The Revival

6:00 pm — Laura Mitchell

7:00 pm — The Noble Thiefs

Fireworks Show at 8:00 pm

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PREPARING FOR WINTER IN CANADA Winter is finally here, and for those of you experiencing your first Winnipeg winter, the snow on

the ground this morning may be a bit of a shock.

Some things you'll notice at the beginning of the season include slow busses, slippery roads, and

a chilly wind that cuts through your clothing. You may need to adjust your schedule and routines

to stay safe and on-schedule--dressing more warmly, leaving home early, and driving /

walking slowly on the roads.

If you are having any challenges coping with the winter, check out this post, or come talk to your

Student Integration Coordinator. We have tips, resources and support to help you adapt and

enjoy this wonderful season.

Steps to Cold Weather Safety:

1.) Listen to the weather forecast • Check the Environment Canada weather forecast before going out in the winter. • Listen for a wind chill warning. Wind chill warnings, based on local climate, are issued

when significant wind chills are expected to occur. Environment Canada’s weather forecasts are available through radio and TV broadcasts, Environment Canada’s Weather radio network, and online at Canadian Weather.

2.) Plan ahead

• Develop a cold weather safety plan in advance to ensure that safety concerns are addressed when it’s very cold, or when the wind chill is significant. For example, schools could hold recess indoors, outside workers could schedule warm-up breaks, and those involved in winter recreation could reduce the amount of time they spend outdoors.

3.) Dress warmly

• Dress in layers, with a wind resistant outer layer. • When it is cold, wear a hat (a large portion of body heat is lost from the head), mittens

or insulated gloves. You should also have something to keep your face warm, such as a scarf, neck tube or facemask.

• Wear warm and waterproof footwear. When it is very cold, or when the wind chill is significant, cover as much exposed skin as possible. Your body’s extremities, such as the ears, nose, fingers and toes lose heat the fastest.

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4.) Seek shelter

• When the wind chill is significant, get out of the wind and limit the time you spend outside.

5.) Stay dry

• Wet clothing chills the body rapidly. • Remove outer layers of clothing or open your coat if you are sweating.

6.) Keep active

• Walking or running will help warm you by generating body heat.

7.) Be aware

• Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia. • Some people are more susceptible to the cold, particularly children, the elderly and

those with circulation problems. • The use of alcohol, tobacco and certain medications will increase your susceptibility to

cold.

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QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS OVER THE HOLIDAY BREAK: Red River College will be closed from December 24 at noon to January 3. Offices will open again on Monday, January 4. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS: Red River College emergency contact from December 25 to January 3 If you have any urgent matters while our offices are closed, we have arranged for this emergency contact from December 25 to January 3: Norlan Page, Student Integration Coordinator (Diversity and Intercultural Services, Red River College) Here are some examples of urgent matters:

You don’t have a safe place to live.

You can’t access your money.

You can’t afford to buy food.

You’re feeling lonely and depressed. Please call Norlan between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:30 pm if you have any urgent questions or matters. If you are already in Manitoba, please call: Phone Number: 204-391-1491 If you calling from outside Canada, it is necessary to dial: 00 + 1 + 204-391-1491 You should call 9-1-1 if…

you see a crime in progress.

you or someone around you is in danger.

you or someone around you is having a medical emergency.