The best Christmas memories of the Germain family

(Clarah, Hugo and Laurie are the children of Jean-Yves Germain. Marie Pier is the daughter of Christiane Germain.)

Clarah Germain, Director of Guest Experience
Ever since I was little, when I make the tree, I turn off the lights and listen to Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas by Judy Garland. I put it on repeat for hours. I also remember that when we were little we used to sleep in front of the tree on the day that we decorated it, Hugo, Laurie and me.

Now, among the new traditions that we have set up for the kids, every men of the family have once embodied Santa Claus for Victor (the youngest son of Jean-Yves Germain) and then for the children of Hugo, Laurie and Marie Pier.

Jean-Yves has always taken his role as Santa Claus very seriously. He went on the roofs of several houses just for the show. He once jumped off the roof of a house in Baie-Saint-Paul and misjudged the depth of the snow. He ended up with snow all the way down to his armpits. He came back inside in a sweat and let's say that his glass of lukewarm milk was not his ideal drink after this huge effort!

Hugo Germain, Vice President of Operations
Every year, my girlfriend has to hold me back so that I don't make the tree before December, as we would do on my mother's side. The tree was usually made the day after Halloween and I’m barely exaggerating!

Otherwise, I like to go choose my tree with my daughters and listen to Bing Crosby while decorating it. The evening that we set up the tree, we usually eat a fondue.

I also remember the camping we used to do at the foot of the tree when we were little. It was really a beautiful memory for me.

I stopped believing in Santa Claus the year Richard (Germain, brother of Jean-Yves and Christiane) tried to embody the old man with the white beard… It simply wasn’t believable!

Laurie Germain, Director of Human Resources
As for myself, we continued the Christmas traditions we had when we were little, just like Hugo. Each year, we choose and cut our tree in the forest. We set it up while listening to Bing Crosby and in the evening, the children sleep at the foot of the tree.

What Hugo says is true! My maternal grandmother would make the tree the day after Halloween and undo it around Easter!

Marie Pier Germain, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing
For my part, I loved making my wish list with the consumer distribution magazine. There was always a section with children's toys and I went page by page circling what I would like to get.

Then, when the gifts were wrapped and placed under the tree, I would try to guess what was in the boxes. I peeled off the adhesive tape carefully and then put it back on without it showing.

I really enjoyed spending time with my family at Christmas. We were just my mom and me most of the time, so the holidays were a time to reunite with my cousins, uncles and grandparents. I have fond memories of it.