Seniors receive Christmas centrepieces and handcrafted cards
By Joan Janzen
For the past six years, seniors in Kindersley have been receiving beautiful Christmas centrepieces thanks to two Kindersley residents’ talented work. Prior to 2020, those gifts have been welcomed by seniors. However, this Christmas, the need to recognize and appreciate our seniors has become even more necessary.
Consequently, seniors will also receive greeting cards handcrafted by children in the community. All the Grade 8 students from Elizabeth Middle School and all the 3-4-year-olds at Kindersley Playschool, and the children attending the I Kids group Thursday evenings, participated in making Christmas cards for seniors in their community.
I was fortunate to gain entrance into the secret workshop of Kindersley’s anonymous centrepiece designers. Each Christmas season, for the past six years or so, these workers have gathered a considerable cache of ornaments, styrofoam, decorative containers, ribbon, acorns, and anything that could be used to create something beautiful. Before the assembly begins, the Scotch pine, cedar and fir arrive, filling the workshop with a sweet aroma.
The workers were busy assembling their wares when I arrived, snipping off pieces of Scotch pine, trimming stems and expertly arranging them in the containers. Each centrepiece is unique, done up in an assortment of holiday colours. The process to complete one centrepiece takes about twenty minutes; however, the workers make quite a few of these creations. The entire process takes them about an average of three days to complete.
I asked where these secret centrepiece designers acquired their training, and they shrugged their shoulders and claimed to learn by watching others who have made similar creations.
“We decided we’d give it a try, did some for ourselves and friends, and it just grew from there,” they said. “It’s all trial and error,” they assured me, making it sound effortless and straightforward, as they selected bits of ribbon and shiny ornaments to add to each creation.
They assured me the centrepieces remain fresh and lovely until well after Christmas, and if they are left outside in the freezing weather, they last even longer. But what do they do with their creations once they are finished assembling?
All of their hard work is loaded into their delivery vehicle, where they drop much of their cargo off at Heritage Manor for the seniors and staff to enjoy.
“I don’t think they know it’s us because we zoom in and out,” the secret workers said, “But it’s fun, and everyone loves them!”
“The remaining centrepieces go to our friends and family members,” they explained.
Not only are the gifts beautiful, but it’s obvious the workers are enjoying themselves while making them and giving them away. The children also enjoyed designing their cards and realized the importance of giving to others. At the end of the day, everybody benefits.
