Posts Tagged ‘holidays’

This year, I did not make any resolutions. Usually, I like to recycle variations from past years. You know, eat healthy, lose weight, be nice to people and kind to animals. It reminds me a bit of the same sins I used to recite every week in confession when I was in Grade 2. Except that a few Hail Marys after a large pizza never lost 10 pounds for me.

No resolutions this year. Only inspiration. Like this path of light. I'm going to follow it and see where it takes me. Photo: Jane Van Bilsen

So this year, I replaced the word resolution with inspiration. It's a small shift in tion, but already, a week into the new year, I'm still inspired, which is a bit of a revolution for me; and something a resolution never gave me.

And so, I’d like to make a suggestion. Why don't you drop all those things you resolved to do, too, and think up some inspiration instead? Here are mine. I like to keep it simple, so three works for me. If you don’t have any, take these. For  free. I hope you like free stuff as much as I do. Change them if you like. Just be sure to live them.

1. Follow a path
This is the one I’m following this year (see photo), I’m not sure even where it leads, but I bet it's a good place. How can it not be? It's in nature. Every day, I'm going to feel the earth under my feet, pat a tree and thank the universe for the light and darkness, too, because I can only sleep when it’s dark.

2. Listen to a song
For me, it’s always about the words and the voices but for some, it’s about the music and the melody. It doesn’t matter. Music is a universal language that inspires us at our core.

Imagine a world without music. What on earth would we dance to? Sometimes a song says something to our soul. And what other thing can you listen to over and over until it plays in your head all by itself?

This year, I'm listening to fresh takes like this song that my friend Patricia Di Gasbarro posted on her Facebook page. It’s Kate and Janelle, two students recording on the stairs of their high school. I like to call it the Stairwell Sessions.

3. The Nurture Project
Here’s how it goes. You pick a person for the year that needs nurturing and you nurture them. There is only one rule. You can’t tell them. It’s a secret. If they knew they were officially being nurtured, they might feel like a charity case. Nobody wants that.

How to nurture? Connect with them however you like. Send good vibes their way, send an email or a real letter, go out for a coffee with them. I wish I could take credit for this one, but no. It’s from my clever friend, Janice MacLeod.

How about you? Any inspiration for the beginning of the year?

According to a recent survey from south of the border, 51 per cent of dog owners and 46 per cent of cat owners bought gifts for their pets last year. No doubt furry critters across Canada felt the love as well – and will feel it again this Christmas.

Here are some of our favourite gift ideas for the four-legged friends on your shopping list.

FOR DOGS

Grreat Choice Cuddler Plush Bed

Good night, Fido, and sleep tight in the microsuede Grreat Choice 22" Cuddler Plush Bed. (I'm betting the cat will try and grab a nap here, too.)
Available at PetSmart; $20.

Dogit Design Gumi

Your dog probably enjoys having his teeth brushed as much as your three-year-old does. Turn dental time into playtime with the Dogit Design Gumi from Hagen. Three different toys – one for flossing, one for removing plaque and one for cleaning those hard-to-reach areas – are available, and each comes in three sizes.
Available at pet specialty stores; $12 to $20.

Eco Pooch Shampoo

Eco Pooch, a line of five environmentally friendly shampoos from Live Clean, will leave your dog feeling and smelling fresh as can be. Julia McEwen, the senior beauty and fashion editor at Canadian Living, tried out the Super Deodorizing Baking Soda Shampoo on her Norwich terrier, Brooks. Check out the results!
Available at Wal-Mart; $9 each.

Snow Seeker Coat

Your canine will be styling with the Snow Seeker Coat from Canada Pooch.
Available at pet specialty stores; $38 to $55.

Muttlucks

Protect your pooch's paws from the elements with a pair of Muttlucks.
Available at Pet Valu; $43.

FOR CATS

Imperial Cat Scratcher

Your cat can scratch, play and nap to her heart's content with this Imperial Cat Scratcher.
Available at Pet Valu; $23.

Catit Design Senses Grass Garden Kit

Bring the outdoors inside with the Catit Design Senses Grass Garden Kit. Grass is a great source of fibre for your feline, aids in digestion and helps prevent hairball buildup.
Available at PJ's Pets; $20 (until Dec. 24; then $24).

Play-N-Squeak Thrill of the Chase

Let your cat get in touch with her preying instincts as she hunts the mouse in Play-N-Squeak Thrill of the Chase. This catnip game provides both mental and physical stimulation.
Available at Pet Valu; $20 (until Dec. 24; $22 after).

FOR SMALL ANIMALS:

My First Home 3-Storey Hamster Cage

Roll out the welcome mat for your pet hamster with My First Home 3-Storey Hamster Cage. It comes tricked out with a wheel, two food and water dishes, two shelves and two safety ramps.
Available at PJ's Pets; $29 (until Dec. 24; then $50).

Martin Apple Dumplings

Treat your pet rabbit to a taste of Martin Apple Dumplings or Banana Muffins.
Available at Pet Valu; $5 (until Dec. 24; $6 after).

Nibblers Small Pet Chew Toys

Keep little teeth active and out of trouble with Nibblers Small Pet Chew Toys from Living World.
Available at PJ's Pets; $3 to $7.

ALL ANIMALS:

Animal First Aid Kit

Ensure your pet's well-being is close at hand with this Animal First Aid Kit from the Humane Society of Canada. The kit was put together with the input of veterinarians and animal care experts, and includes tweezers, rescue sheets, sterile gauze pads and much more. (For the entire contents list, click here.) Bonus: All of the money from the sale of the kit supports the society's programs to protect animals and the environment.
Available from the Humane Society of Canada; $30.

Will your pet be finding something under the tree this year?

And right now, I’m happy. It's the time of year when I get to celebrate Christmas in Canada. And I am. Canadian. Hey, remember the Molson ad? I still love it – my favourite part is that his name is Joe, and he is way too excited about toques and beavers!

There is only one video that is better than this one at this time of year, when I get to see miracles, and not just in the movies, either. I get to witness the spirit of Christmas in real people in real life (I do like the word “miracle”).

Don’t doubt me, it's true. Doug, my coworker passed this on to me last week, and I can't stop watching it. Nobody's going to tell me this cute kid from Winnipeg isn't a miracle. Except maybe the Grinch before his heart grew and grew and grew. Or Scrooge. Or, oh never mind. You get the message.

I love this kid. It's all about the snow, the drumming, his shorts and his red mittens. Really, it's all about the kids delivering the message.

Oh, one more thing. I want to share a personal miracle. This year, I decided to simplify our Christmas dinner. Everyone agreed it was just too much food, but no one wanted to give up the lasagna, so we sacrificed the turkey instead. But I was really sad. I love eating turkey dinner!

Are you sitting down? Here comes the miracle. Mary White, one of our Swell Girls bookclub members hosted the December one this year. And made a turkey dinner for us: turkey, stuffing, gravy, beet salad, sweet potatoes, squash, mashed potates, pumpkin pie and ice cream.

Swell Girls Book Club after turkey dinner. We were much thinner when we first arrived! That’s Mary White, on the far right. That's me, in the back row, looking like I'm about nine months pregnant (I'm not, it's just my food baby!)

Honestly, I could not believe the universe had delivered this delightful meal to me – and that I did not have to prep or cook or clean up. Mary White, I think you're a miracle. Thank you!

Next week, more miracles. Love and light xoxo

I always considered my cat as part of the family. While I never went as far as to sign her name to a Christmas card, I will admit that come every December 25, there was always something under the tree with her name on it.

No doubt she enjoyed the box of Tender Vittles or pouch of kitty treats waiting for her (the bow taped on top no doubt seen strictly as an unnecessary nuisance). But the real treat for her was the avalanche of paper to play with.

Jennifer Bartoli, the editorial intern for StyleAtHome.com, as well as the food lover behind the blog Chocolate Shavings, found her cat's curiosity got the best of him when she was decorating her tree this year. Lucky for Jennifer, Alaska stood still long enough for her to get this photo.

(Photo by Jennifer Bartoli)

Your pet may have no clue what all the fuss is about – or why there’s suddenly a tree in the living room – but he or she will probably notice everyone’s jolly mood. Just remember, though: while you embrace your pet in the holiday spirit, keep an eye out for any potential holiday hazards that may be lurking.

I asked our Facebook friends how they include their pets in their Christmas celebrations. Here are a few of my favourite responses.

Tammy McCaffrey – I have 2 dogs and we put treats in their stockings and wrap a gift for them. They love helping unwrap it!

Cheryl Forshner – Every critter (2 dogs, 1 cat and a guinea pig) in the house has a gift under the tree. And when my children were younger, the critters gave a gift to the children.

Debra Donaghey – Last year we took our guinea pig, Blaster, to get a family photo with Santa. Apparently, he was trying to nibble on Santa's glove while we were getting ready to pose for the picture!

Shannon Pepin – Meow-y Cat-mas and a Hairy New Year to all! I celebrate by dressing her in silly costumes long enough to try and take some pictures, of course. LOL.

Maria Mokas Christakos – I do the stockings and 'lil treats and toys (3 cats, 1 dog). I got them those felt collars that look like what a court jester would wear – red and green with bells on the tips. Borderline animal cruelty, I guess. LOL!

Shontelle R. – I make animal-friendly edible ornaments and flavoured holiday organic treats. They each have their own stocking with their name on it, and they get gifts from family and friends, as well as from Santa Paws!

Lori Dixon – Miss Mew has her own stocking, which is hung by her cat tree with care, in hopes that Santy Claws will come fill it up with goodies. This year, with the addition of a hamster, we have a tiny stocking by her cage with her name on it. Trixie will be getting some kind of chew toy in her stocking:)

Brenda Krystalowich – My Indy helps my husband carve the turkey, LOL! He also gets his own stocking full of treats and a new toy. My cat also gets some treats, but she's always on the naughty list.

How about you? Are your pets active participants in your family's holiday festivities?

I have one simple question for you today, lovelies.

Would you take your coworker seriously if she was dressed like this at the office?

That's me! Senior web editor Jen Melo, embracing the Halloween spirit at Canadian Living offices today.

And what if she wore these?

Yes, these are WAY more comfortable than office-appropriate high heels.

Hoppy Halloween!

Every year I say the same thing...."I'm never ever going to do that again!  Never! NEVER!"

But I do.

"Tis the night before Christmas...join us for Christmas Eve Dinner" invitations are sent to our immediately family of 20 in total.  Yup, 20.

I even found a site Evite Invitations, which makes it easier to send out invitations, monitor responses, add columns to allow guests to sign up to bring items and add comments.

I do know it's my fault.

I just want everyone together at one table and give thanks for all our blessings, remember those whom are not able to be with us, and appreciate the time we do have with those there.  It's important to me for my children to have funny stories, fond memories and photos of their family, especially their grandparents.

And that's why I do it.

This is my third year, and it is getting easier.  And that's because I've learnt a few things along the way.

1.  It's never going to be perfect.  Give it up.

You had to see me the first year, wanting everything looking beautiful. Table set, napkins placed perfectly, candles burning, Christmas carols in the background, place cards with a Lotto 649 ticket wrapped around it...so very cute.  I had a complete menu planned and itinerary for the day.

Didn't happen.

I tried.  Really hard, but couldn't keep up.

2.    Ask for help.

Something I have problems with.  I think, why should I have to ask? Don't people see I'm struggling? I would help them in a heartbeat.

Everyone is different and sometimes, they just don't realize you need help.  So ask.

3. Remember why the holidays are special.

I was so busy focusing on the visual, I forgot about why I do it.  And I missed most of the funny stories and picture taking, because I was still in the kitchen trying to keep up with the dirty dishes!

Forget about the kitchen, go outside for a quick snowball fight, crawl under the tree with your kids and search for presents, hug everyone, treasure this time!

Have a wonderful magical Christmas.

Ooooh!

It smells delicious in my kitchen and it's full of men.

Lip smacking yummy men. At least a few dozen of them. They're everywhere. I'm finding them on the countertops. Some are hanging out on the table. I've even spotted some in the oven of all places.

Ok, that's enough. Get your mind out of the gutter. We're baking today and we're making gingerbread men.

Although a few good men won't make it out of the kitchen alive, the whole purpose of today is to make heartfelt homemade gifts for family & friends.

Gifts made with love, from our kitchen to yours.

So, please accept these virtual gingerbread men and our wishes for a very joyous holiday season.

The Great Dad, Walter Gretzky, shares his family's holiday traditions, Christmas dinner favourites, and his enthusiastic support of Christmas Seals.

How does the Gretzky family celebrate Christmas?
"We all get together on Christmas Day," says Gretzky, who is, of course, father to hockey hero Wayne as well as sons Keith, Glen and Brent and daughter Kim, plus he's a proud grandfather.

Walter Gretzky, who is the Canadian Christmas Seals Ambassador for 2010, shows off the design for this year's seal.

"All the kids start opening their presents, wondering what Grandpa brought them and what their mom and dad brought them. And we have the big dinner here at the house where all the family members get together, so that's pretty nice."

On the menu for Christmas dinner
"I like cabbage rolls like my mother used to always make. We never, ever had Christmas with out perogies and cabbage rolls. Always, always, always," says Gretzky, who enjoys the traditional fare of his parents who were both Belarusian immigrants.

Christmas Seals
Christmas Seals, which benefit the Lung Association, are a big part of the holidays for everyone's favourite hockey dad. Gretzky is Canadian Christmas Seals Ambassador for 2010, a campaign that supports The Lung Association. Walter’s interest in lung health stems back to 2005, when he lost his wife, Phyllis, to lung cancer.

"Christmas Seals are very special to me. The Lung Association is very special to me because I no longer have Mrs. Gretzky. She is gone now because of lung disease," says Mr. Gretzky. "We're trying to raise money for research for lung disease so no one else loses a family member. I've lost a number of them already — my wife and my mother-in-law — both to lung disease."

What's on his wish list?
"I'd just like to have health and happiness for everyone. I hope next year will be as fabulous as this year was," he says.

You can support the Christmas Seals campaign here.

We're giving away some incredibly terrific prizes on Twitter throughout the month of December. This is them:

Treat yourself and your fam this holiday season
There'll be treats-a-plenty if you're the lucky winner of one of these two gift packs from The President's Choice Brand.

Get out of the kitchen and into the party with this crazy-delish Holiday Survival Kit loaded with yummy treats, valued at $100, including allll this good stuff:

• MUST TRY! PC® The World's BestTM Jumbo Cashews
• MUST TRY! PC® 100% Ground Coffee - Hawaiian
• MUST TRY! PC® Dark Chocolate with Cranberry and Almonds
• MUST TRY! PC® Gourmet Belgian Chocolate Collection
• NEW! PC® Premium Fruit and Nut Collection
• NEW! PC® Artichoke & Asiago Cheese Yogurt Dressing
• NEW! PC® Thick Cut Pizza Flavour Rippled Potato Chips
• NEW! PC® 100% Sparkling Fruit Juice - Kiwi Berry
• NEW! PC® White Chocolate Covered Sponge Toffee
• NEW! PC®  Butter Tart Square (OMG, running out to buy these right now. BRB.)
• NEW! PC®  Cinnamon Buns Mix
• NEW! PC® Cracker Collection
• NEW! PC® Chocolate Fruit Fancies
• PC® Baking Square Mix - Belgian Chocolate
• A $10 PC® gift card to help stock your holiday survival kit with the MUST TRY! PC® Puff Pastry Hors D'Oeuvre Collection or the NEW! PC®  Angus Sliders Mini Angus Beef Burgers
• A copy of this year's President's Choice® Holiday Insider's Report® to help you entertain smarter, not harder this holiday season

For a chance to WIN one of two Holiday Survival Kits from The President's Choice Brand, just follow @canadian_living on Twitter and tweet: Follow @canadian_living and RT this for a chance to win a prize pack from PC: http://cdnl.vg/ep62RU

Stay healthy over the holidays
If you're like me, getting enough veggies is the last thing on your mind during the hectic holiday stretch.

Luckily, one serving of Garden Cocktail has two full servings of veggies: it's just the thing to boost your health over the holidays. And Mott’s Garden Cocktail doesn't have that thick, tomato-y taste, so if you’ve tried vegetable cocktails before and didn’t like 'em, Mott’s Garden Cocktail might be your thing. There's also a low-sodium variety that has 78 percent less salt.

For a chance to WIN a Mott's Garden Cocktail Healthy Holiday Survival Kit, including a bunch of different kinds of Garden Cocktail, a $50 Loblaws gift certificate, fitness supplies, and what looks to be a very handsome basket, just follow @canadian_living on Twitter and tweet: Follow @canadian_living and RT this for a chance to win a Mott's prize pack: http://cdnl.vg/ep62RU

Stay safe on the roads over the holidays
It's no surprise that almost 7 in 10 canucks say they find driving in snowy, icy conditions stressful and more than half of us avoid driving in bad weather altogether.

You can stand up to old man winter and stay safe on the roads in all conditions with a Winter Warm Up Prize Pack, courtesy of Goodyear Canada, including:

• a car trunk organizer
• a handy-dandy winter car safety kit
• a sweet travel mug with Timmy's gift card
• Canadian toque and mitts from HBC (It's those new "red mittens", BTW, which I LOVE)
• a rebate offer from Goodyear Canada to purchase new winter tires

For a chance to WIN a Winter Warm Up Prize Pack, just follow @canadian_living on Twitter and tweet: Follow @canadian_living and retweet this for your chance to win a Winter Warm Up Prize Pack: http://cdnl.vg/ep62RU

Make the kids think you're hip this holiday season
Grab-a-Scabs (icky name, cool product) are funky fabric sticker patches kids can stick on their backpack, jeans, sleeves – anything. They go on and they don't come off. The best part? There's no sewing or ironing required. And another best part? They're totally Canadian.

For a chance to WIN $25 worth of fab Grab-a-Scabs (and you get to pick which ones!), just follow @canadian_living on Twitter and tweet: Follow @canadian_living and retweet this for your chance to win a Grab-a-Scab Prize Pack: http://bit.ly/ftUhqR

Don't forget your pets this holiday!
Attention pet-lovers: We have two giant baskets (worth $300 each!) to give away, courtesy of our good friends at Iams Home for the Holidays.

Each basket is stuffed with all this good stuff for you and your furry friend:

• a holiday stocking
• a pet photo frame
• a paw shaped clock (so cute!)
• a pet bed
• a towel to wipe your pal's paws
• an I.D. tag
• a copy of the book, “Adopting the Right Animal For You”
• disposable doggy bags
• Iams dog/cat treats
• a gift certificate

For a chance to WIN one of these two baskets, just follow @canadian_living on Twitter and tweet: Follow @canadian_living and retweet this for your chance to win a giant Iams Prize Pack: http://cdnl.vg/ep62RU

Send your tweets by Sunday, December 19 for your chance to WIN. Tweet as often as you like! I'll announce the winners on Twitter on Monday, December 20. (We'll do our best to get the prizes to the winners by Christmas, but we can't make any promises.)

And the fine print: Here are the contest rules. (It's all the standard stuff, eh?)

Good luck and I'll see you on Twitter (@jenvillamere)!

Going "home for the holidays" conjures up all kinds of notions for people. A colleague of mine has already packed for her annual trek down east to Halifax. She's yet to miss a Christmas with her folks in 25 years. The couple down the street wax poetic about house-to-house carolling that highlights the Yuletide calendar in the small Newfoundland outport where they were born. My sister-in-law raves about the Winter Festival of Lights in Niagara Falls, Ontario, where the townsfolk join together one night each December for a special Candlelight Stroll.

Here's my first in a series of posts dedicated to holiday and winter traditions across Canada. I'll be checking in with Canadian communities across the country and sharing local holiday diversions.

First stop: Banff Lake Louise, Alberta. Here's what the holiday scene in the heart of the Rockies looks like.

Just Horsing Around

Sleigh Riding in a Winter Wonderland

For years, the highlight of my holidays was a horse-drawn sleigh ride on Boxing Day on the outskirts of Elmvale, Ontario. My late Uncle George had a team of Clydesdales he'd harness up to a huge sleigh and off we'd go. Turns out you can enjoy this same kind of lazy ride along the shores of Lake Louise in Banff, Alberta. And there's lots to look at - the Victoria Glacier is right there in front of you. One well-regarded outfitter is Brewster Adventures, which has been operating in Banff National Park since 1892.

Howling Great Fun

Dogsledding in Banff Lake Louise, Alberta

If horses aren't to your liking, there are other four-legged options, such as Doug Hannah's Alaskan Huskies, which are more than eager to haul you on a 16-km dogsledding adventure in Lake Louise. Contact Kingmik Dogsled Tours. They've been in the dogsledding business for almost 30 years so you'll be in good hands, or should I say, paws. (Okay, ba doom bing. Bad pun!) You can also do lessons in dog-mushing.

Take A Walk on the Wild Side

Johnston Canyon Icewalk: Breath-taking views

Traditions rarely alter for most of us, and this includes the post-turkey schnooze-fest that starts round about noon on December 25 and continues long past Boxing Day. A post-Christmas hike is the one thing that has always knocked me out of my food-induced stupour. If you're in the Banff Lake Louise area, you've got the awe-inspiring splendor of the Johnston Canyon Icewalk. But you're not just tramping on snow or frozen ground. In fact, for the some of the trek you're on steel walkways built into the canyon walls. Tours last about four hours and pass by various waterfalls which, if the temperature dips enough (and almost always does in the mountains in December!), are transformed into amazing ice sculptures. Click here for a Youtube video of Johnston Canyon Icewalk. If you want the real thing, Banff Adventures hosts nighttime walks. Cleats, mitts, warm clothes are musts!

Battle of the Blades, anyone?

Kids Ice-Skating on Vermillion Lake, Alberta

When I was a young boy in rural Ontario, the "rink" for us was my Uncle Bernard's frozen pond where his herd of 200 beef cattle quenched their thirst in steamy summer months. But, in winter, it froze over and, with the help of my uncle's garden hose we flooded the frozen surface and, voila, we had an instant outdoor skating rink from December to March. There's something almost Disney-esque about ice-skating on a frozen natural water body surrounded by trees and wildlife. If you happen to be in Banff Lake Louise area, grab your skates and head out to Vermillion Lake, which is just west of Banff between the Bow River and the Trans Canada Highway.

For more winter-time holiday activities in Banff Lake Louise, visit the Banff National Park - Lake Louise web site.

I welcome you to post images and details on the holidays traditions and activities in your neck of the Canadian woods.