Christmas often brings families together for the holidays. For an Alliston family, one small gift four years ago has brought them closer together ever since.

When he was 10 years old, Chris Theriault received a set of juggling balls for Christmas. Chris was a basketball player, but had hurt his foot and was no longer able to play. His family thought juggling would be a good way to stay active while he healed. They didn't expect the gift would later turn into a stage production involving the whole family.

"Within 20 minutes on Christmas morning, he knew how to juggle three balls," said mother Estelle Theriault.

Chris was a natural, and the family soon found Big Top School of Circus Arts in Newmarket. They enrolled him in classes, and he soon excelled, eventually graduating to the performance class. While he initially learned juggling, trapeze and trampoline, he eventually settled on juggling and riding the unicycle as his favourite.

Taught by a former Cirque du Soleil and Moscow Circus performer, the class prepares its students to perform in front of audiences.

Estelle said Chris was originally shy, and although he enjoyed the juggling, he wasn't too keen on performing in front of people. However, with a little encouragement, he has now changed his tune.

"Now I like to do it. I can't wait to perform every time I have the chance," he said.

Since starting with balls, Chris has advanced to juggling clubs, knives and flaming torches. He includes several tricks into his routine, including juggling while riding a unicycle.

It wasn't long before Chris started getting requests for birthday parties and other events. As things progressed, the family became more and more involved.

Estelle began managing Chris, and soon sister Chloe and dad Dan were involved. Chris' godmother designed a business card for him.

Chloe, 11, has been dancing for six years, and also enjoys acting. Her enthusiasm and ability to make funny facial expressions has allowed her to fit right into Chris' shows, said Estelle.

"I like the stage and the spotlight," said Chloe.

As the show expanded, the need for props and different equipment expanded with it. That is where Dan comes in. He builds the props, and some of Chris' juggling items, including the flaming torches.

For Estelle, the Christmas gift of juggling balls four years ago is truly a gift that has kept on giving to her family.

"It's really become a family affair. We all get involved," said Estelle.

Not only does the family have a group project they are all involved with, but also it has provided the opportunity to travel as well, including a trip to New Brunswick.

Chris is now a Grade 9 student at Nouvelle Alliance French Secondary School in Barrie, but when he was in Grade 8, his class took a trip to Quebec City. The class took a trip to L'Ecole Nationale De Cirque, a national circus school where workshops were provided for the students, and Chris' talent was noticed immediately.

"When they saw how I could do most of the things, they asked me to do the show they were doing for the schools," said Chris.

He performed in the show, but he turned down an offer to join the school. He said it's not for him, at least not yet. He isn't ruling out attending in the future though.

For now, he is comfortable doing shows for fun, birthday and corporate parties, and other community events.

One of his most recent was a holiday show put on for the children of General Mills employees. The show had a Charlie Brown Christmas theme. The Theriault children were given a $50 tip for their performance, all of which they donated to Stevenson Memorial Hospital CT scan fundraising drive.

Chris said he isn't sure what his future holds, but he doesn't think he'll be a full-time juggler. It is something he'll always do though, if only as a hobby or weekend job. Either way, that small gift when Chris was 10 has turned into what could be a life-long passion.

E-mail reporter Kurtis Elsner at kelsner@simcoe.com