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Christmas Lighting with Gingermegs 2008!

With Christmas just passing I would like to share a special tradition that others may like to begin with their beloved guinea pig/s in 2008. Each year I go ' Christmas lighting ' on Christmas eve to visit the winning decorated street and house lights with my family in Brisbane...my family which includes the ENTIRE family which includes one of my guinea pigs of course. It's a special experience very much a tradition I've carried for many years now. Generally the dim lighting and soft Christmas music presented on such a spirit filled occasion also catches onto the guinea pigs and they'll usually be very comfortable sitting in your arms on a towel as you share the experience with them.

Keeping with tradition miss Gingermegsie had quite a Christmas eve this year!!! It was so much fun and Gingermegs had a great time. She also had a run on the lawn outside's my mums church christmas carols which she quite enjoyed. Gingermegs did get stubborn a couple of times twice she started chewing my necklace and tugging it to annoy me...this is her way of saying ' I'm bored and hungry can we go now '. Gingermegs never gets stressed she just gets frustrated and she'll let you know when she is so that you give her what she wants which is usually either food or soft bedding to snuggle in!

First up Gingermegs, my sister and I went to watch my mums church Christmas Carols. While watching the carols Gingermegs sat on my lap for over half an hour and I thought she was doing well holding her bladder then I got the feeling she'd been holding it a tad long and sure enough she let out a couple of piggy grunts and squirmed around a bit so I quickly popped her down into her carrier and around ten droppings appeared in her

carrier. She definitely was holding on but was very considerate to not just do them on me...many guinea pigs while being handled will grunt and squirm unusually for a few minutes to let you know they ' need to go ' before they actually do...it's a guinea pig trade secret! CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO OF GINGER MEGS WATCHING THE CAROLS

Gingermegs thought that the stage performance with the choir was fantastic. Just before the performance though Gingermegs became quite the centre of attention I should've expected it but thought maybe she wouldn't be noticed this year... Their were many kids that wanted to see her so we sat her on the lawn and as she munched away while the children gently petted her and said hello. Two different families actually had guinea pigs of their own and the kids were telling me all about their guinea pigs. As a side note Cocoa Chanel another of my girls ( a surrender to ACS who quickly became a permanent resident ) also came along to the carols. She enjoyed lapping up the extra attention aswell ( pictured above ).
The choir said a big hello to Gingermegs this year, they remembered her from last year. Gingermegs sat on my lap watching the choir intently the entire time she almost fell asleep at one stage she enjoyed it so much...

After the carols we headed off in the car to see the Christmas lights around Brisbane ( my father, sister, brother, Gingermegs and I ). First we headed to one of the entries and made a quick stop in at the house next door to visit one of our regular volunteers.

After our first stop we were then off to view the winning best new entrant and the winning best street lights. The best street lights were located at Eatons hill in brisbane. This street has won best lights 5yrs in a row now they as simply outstanding to see in person . The effort the families of the street go to is amazing and the overall Christmas vibe is fantastic. This year the street also had neighbours dressed up as Santa Claus and Elves and as always some of the neighbours set up crafty stalls in their driveways to sell crafty items to the public. We had a blast and stayed for around 40mins at these lights then headed off home at around midnight. I definitely recommend visiting these lights to anyone who lives in Brissy!

CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO OF THE STREET LIGHTS.

Gingermegs had a very enjoyable Christmas Lighting experience this year and next year I look forward to enjoying the experience with her and the family once again.

Many people bring their dogs for a walk through Christmas light set-ups so why not bring a piggy if they are social and laid back enough to enjoy the outing? It sure was a fun night out for myself and Gingermegs this year and a tradition not to be missed! Christmas is a time for the whole family and it would never be the same to visit Christmas lights without a piggy by my side. For anyone wishing to go christmas lighting with their guinea pig I'd recommend the following - 1. have a towel handy 2. pack food for your guinea pig 3. bring a camera! 4. bring a carry cage for your guinea pig. If your guinea pig is clearly not enjoying the occasion you may have to leave him/her in the car. 5. Make sure you think of your guinea pig and how they will handle being out of their usual environment. If they stress easily they may not be suitable to bring with you. 6. bring the whole family and get into the spirit of it all!