We’ve heard variations on this but we like the version of Diane Thompson of Hayter, Alta., (and believe every word of it):

“Dad was invalided home after his plane crashed in fog on the Isle of Mann. He arrived in Vancouver on furlough and called his sister in North Burnaby, asked directions to her house (he had never been there) and told her to roll out the red carpet.

“Dad took a taxi but the driver had trouble finding the address until they spotted a red carpet extending from a house to the curb. His sister had rushed to Woolworths and bought 100 yards of red felt that she rolled down her hallway and steps, across the lawn and out to the street.