St. Paul's Hospital Lights of Hope and Vancouver Christmas Market

We're donors to St. Paul's Hospital; this evening is the lighting and first day of Lights of Hope. In 2018, we also visited the display, and I wrote about hope, which you can read here.

We're apparently big enough donors to get invited to a Donor Celebration Reception an hour before the lighting. So right after work (5:00 PM), we hurriedly took an Uber to Sheraton Wall Centre for the reception. There's free food, booze, and desserts - MANY desserts (all sorts of cookies, mini cupcakes, mini cake rolls, mousse, and, did I already say cookies?).

Inside the Constellation Suite at the Sheraton Wall Centre on the 34th floor

After the short program, we went downstairs to find a decent spot for the Lights of Hope lighting.

Christmas Lights

St. Paul's Hospital Lights of Hope

Lights of Hope is the biggest fundraising event of St. Paul's Foundation, which provides much-needed equipment for their hospitals around BC.

First Day Crowd

Then, we decided whether we still wanted to eat or go home. Of course, we'll eat some more. 🤣

We took a 16-minute walk to the Vancouver Christmas Market (yay for Seasons Pass unlimited entry) at 3 degrees Celsius. It's such a clear, crisp, lovely evening, perfect for an evening stroll.

Robson Street looks all Christmasy

Near Burrard Station

Canada Place Sails

The Christmas Market was not as crowded as last Saturday (opening day). So, first, we grabbed a Kartouffelpuffer. Then, we tried Langos.

Lovers' Lane in Vancouver Christmas Market

Since we already had too many sweets at Sheraton earlier, Jomar agreed not to get desserts at the Market (whew!). Instead, he suggested we buy a big bag of pretzels.

Tannenbaum Terrace in Vancouver Christmas Market

On the way there and taking our sweet time, we stopped to try Apfel (non-alcoholic apple cider). It was warm and so perfect for this evening. I love it! 

Is it possible to fall in love with Jomar again? 🤣 Drinking non-alcoholic apple cider, sitting near a Santa display, with a singer playing Christmas songs live - it was a wonderful evening with my husband. It feels like our first date. 😍

It feels like a first date. ❤

We walked around a bit more, looking at toques, handmade soap, and candles from Hungary. There are so many things to look at without the crowd. Hoping for more "first" dates with Jomar. Hihi.

Thank God for a blessed day and evening!