A Quick, Pre-Holiday Chit-Chat With Canadian Models Kate Somers, Amanda Laine & Simona McIntyre

How long did you believe in Santa Claus?

Kate Somers: I’d like to think that Santa –- or at least the idea of a little Christmas magic –- can continue to be incorporated into the holiday season. I was a strong believer well through elementary school, and a little part of me can’t help but be convinced that I still hear sleigh bells on Christmas Eve!

Amanda Laine: I believed in Santa Claus until I was 13 years old!

Simona McIntyre: Even after my belief in the other characters of childhood fantasy faded, I still held onto Santa. But after 12 years of seasonally questioning my mom as to why Santa did not instead give the presents to poor children, I guess I understood...

Does your family have any quirky holiday traditions?

KS: Every year my family sets out a stocking for our pet dog. It may seem a little peculiar, but at least we can say that every member of the family is included in the holiday festivities!

AL: On Christmas Eve, my dad always reads Clement Clarke Moore's 'Twas the Night Before Christmas (A Visit from St. Nicholas) to my family.

SM: We usually maintain a few [of my mother's] Swedish traditions. I help out with holiday dinners; but this year I am really looking forward to contributing beyond the salad –- I am making (a raw vegan) Christmas Day dinner for my entire family!

Favorite holiday desert:

KS: My sister makes a gingerbread house each year -– it’s always a work of art that is consumed very quickly!

AL: My grandma's chocolate pudding!

SM: No desesrts particular to the holidays per se –- although I always love treating my mind and body to superfoods! Organic raw cacao is a fine indulgence. More formally, I am going to make a (raw vegan) pomegranate cheesecake and clementine gelato for our Christmas Day dinner's dessert!

Favorite holiday film:

KS: My family certainly has a soft spot for A Christmas Story (1983). We can quote all of Ralphie’s best lines!

AL: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (1989) written by John Hughes.

SM: We watch Brett Ratner's The Family Man (2000) every year. We just do.

Favorite charitable organization:

KS: My grandmother has been purchasing gifts for each of us grandchildren via World Vision for a few years now. It’s just another heartwarming aspect of the holidays to be able to jointly give and receive!

AL: Plan Canada. It was formerly known as Foster Parents Plan.

SM: I particularly like the The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation (FTPF), a unique non-profit charity dedicated to planting edible, fruitful plants and trees to benefit needy populations and improve surrounding air, soil and water. Helmed by David Wolfe, they strategically donate orchards to communities such as public schools, homeless shelters, drug rehabs, low-income neighborhoods, international hunger relief sites, and animal sanctuaries to serve both present and future generations. Individuals can help actively or donate online; while companies –- such as Gnosis Chocolate –- are supporting sustainable living by donating a percentage of their profits to FTPF.

How do you plan to spend your holiday this year?

KS: I can’t wait to hit the slopes up at my family’s ski chalet! I’ve been competitively ski racing since I was six years old, and although the cold is certainly something to be battled, hitting the slopes for the first time in the New Year is something that I always eagerly anticipate! Of course it will also be nice to be enveloped by snow, warming up inside the chalet with a mug of hot chocolate surrounded by family!

AL: I plan on spending the holidays on the ski hills! Also I look forward to being with my family and friends.

SM: In snowy British Columbia –- cozied up with my family as well as out and about in B.C.'s wintery-fresh forests and bright, sunny skies. While working in cities this year (New York, Paris, London, Milan), I really missed Canada and the great-er outdoors!