From the Desk of Bill & Marilyn Gould
Welcome to the last weekend of 2025! We hope you survived the turkey dinners and the wrapping paper avalanches.
This is a unique week—the “quiet time” between Christmas and New Year’s when the world seems to move a little slower. It’s the perfect time to check your bank statements for holiday errors, plan a little outing for New Year’s Day, or dream about where you might want to travel now that the calendar is flipping to 2026.
Here is what you need to know to stay safe and active this week.
🚨 Scam Alert: The “Post-Holiday” Delivery Text
Now that the gifts have been unwrapped, the scammers are banking on one thing: Confusion.
With so many of us ordering gifts online or waiting for late parcels from relatives, our phones are buzzing with texts claiming to be from Canada Post, FedEx, or UPS.
The Scam: You receive a text message (SMS) that looks alarming:
-
“Canada Post: Your package #CA8392 is on hold due to an unpaid shipping fee of $2.45. Click here to pay and release delivery.”
-
“UPS: We attempted delivery of your parcel but no one was home. Reschedule here.”
The Trap: If you click the link, it takes you to a fake website that looks exactly like the real Canada Post site. When you enter your credit card to pay that tiny $2.45 fee, they steal your card number.
How to Stay Safe:
-
Never click the link in a text.
-
Check the Tracking Number Yourself: If you are actually expecting a package, go to the official website (CanadaPost.ca) and type in the tracking number you were given when you bought the item.
-
Remember: Canada Post will never ask for a “redelivery fee” via text message. If you missed a package, they leave a paper tag on your door, not a text on your phone.
🍁 Canada-Wide Events: Ringing in 2026
If you are looking to get out of the house this week, here are a few Great Canadian traditions happening coast-to-coast:
1. The New Year’s Levee (Jan 1st – Nationwide) This is a uniquely Canadian tradition dating back to the fur trade!
-
What is it? Town halls, military messes, and Government Houses open their doors to the public to exchange New Year’s greetings. It is usually free, and there is often clam chowder, moose milk (a creamy cocktail), or snacks.
-
Where to look: Check your local Lieutenant Governor’s website or your local Legion hall. It’s a great way to socialize warmly on a cold day.
2. Christmas Lights Across Canada (Ottawa & Major Cities)
-
Status: Ending Soon (Jan 7)
-
Most cities keep their major light displays up for one week after New Year’s. If you haven’t seen the lights on Parliament Hill (or your local City Hall) yet, take a drive this week before they go dark for the season.
3. Polar Bear Swims (Vancouver, Oakville, Halifax)
-
Date: Jan 1st
-
Whether you are at English Bay in Vancouver or Herring Cove in Nova Scotia, watching crazy Canadians jump into freezing water is a spectator sport! You don’t have to jump in—just bring a thermos of coffee and cheer them on from the dry shore.
✈️ Senior Travel Opportunities
1. The “Wave Season” Begins (Cruises) In the travel industry, January is known as “Wave Season.” Cruise lines release their best deals and perks (free drinks, free Wi-Fi) for the coming year during this week.
-
** The Deal:** If you are dreaming of an Alaska cruise for Summer 2026, book in January. You will often get the best cabin selection and “2-for-1” deposit deals right now.
2. The “January Lull” (Sun Destinations)
-
Destination: Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico
-
Why now? Prices skyrocket for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. However, for travel dates between Jan 5 and Jan 20, prices often drop by 30-40%. Everyone else has gone back to work, leaving the beaches quiet and the resorts cheaper.
-
Tip: Look for “last minute” packages departing from Halifax, Toronto, or Vancouver in the second week of January.
3. VIA Rail “Tuesday” Deals
-
The Tip: If you are planning to visit family later in the winter, check the VIA Rail site on Tuesdays. They release their “Discount Tuesday” fares, and seniors (60+) get a discount on top of that. A cozy train ride through the snow is a lot safer than driving the 401 or the Trans-Canada in February!
From our house to yours, Happy New Year!
– Bill & Marilyn
Founders of Canadian Senior Moment
**Bill Gould** spent 43 years as a long-haul truck driver before trading the steering wheel for a keyboard to help fellow Canadians navigate the road of retirement. A freelance writer, published author, and editor of over 50 books, Bill co-founded *Canadian Senior Moment* with his wife, Marilyn, to provide a trusted space for seniors to find clarity, safety, and connection in the digital age. When he isn’t troubleshooting “tech gremlins” or sharing childhood memories of the Prairies, he can be found in his woodshop or working on his latest novel.