Christmas is coming....My favourite gifts to give....

Looking for a great gift idea for a family?  With the popularity of game nights, this will be a great addition to family fun nights at home.

Whatchama Draw It!




Quick! Picture a bunny on a carrot flying towards a fish bowl that is sitting on Mars next to a housefly!  This is the type of thing that you’ll be drawing when you play our Whatchama DRAW It game!  Get all of your friends and family together for this hilarious doodling game!  You can draw pictures competitively, with the object being for the other players to guess what you’re sketching or just for fun to get your creative juices flowing!

Our game will help you to create exciting masterpieces that will make the whole family cry from laughing!  Requires paper, pens and your imagination.

Includes 110 cards, How to Play card and a 60-second timer to get your creative spirit going. 

Cards measure 4 inches x 4 inches.  Note: No talent required.

Give the gift of fun!

Christmas is coming...My favourite gifts to give...

I love jewelry!  I love how it can totally transform and outfit and it's a an way to express yourself.  Have you heard of the Me to We Artisans??

 

I love this organization.  It employs over 600 Maasai women in 14 different communities.  the money these women earn helps to pay to send their daughters to school - what a powerful gift and message1

Some of my favourite pieces in this catalog:  the charm bracelets (page 6 and 7), the tassel clutch (page 8 and 9), and the Maasai triangle earrings (page 4-5)

 


You can even host your own jewelry party to help raise funds, raise awareness and look stylish, too.

Christmas is coming....My favourite gifts to give....

Toys are so much fun!  But some are noisy and other just pointless....here's a great game for little ones - they can get silly with it or use it as a learning tool.  Double duty!

'Who Knows Whose Nose' is a game for children ages 2 and up, it is a fun matching game with a series of cards with animal faces, just pull the plastic nose from the cloth bag and make a silly animal or match!







Affordable and lot of fun for less than $25.

Plus as a parent, I love that it is fun and educational but it is also easy to put away - everything just fits in the cloth bag that comes with it!

Christmas is coming....My favourite gifts to give....

Do you have a techie on your shopping list?  Someone who is addicted to their smartphone?  It's hard to know what to get them, try the Smartwatch by Pebble


 

You can do so many cool things with this 'Inspector Gadget' like watch....it's a perfect gadget if you are running around and want to still be someone connected or by your bed....

Apps for everything

Want to track your runs? Get notified when your team scores? Kick off voice nav without touching your phone? Thousands of developers around the world are building apps that turn the Pebble into your custom, on-wrist HQ

Your wrist needs some flavor, too.

Personalize your Pebble to fit your style, mood, and activities with customizable watchfaces, colors, and accessories.

Yes, it can.

• 

  Notifications

  Get texts and important notifications directly on your wrist.
• 

  Waterproof

  At the pool, on the beach, or in the shower. Your Pebble is good down to 5ATM
• 

  Apps

  Sports, music, games, commuting — there's a rich community of apps for everything.
• 

  Battery Life

  Pebble runs for 5–7 days before needing a charge.
• 

  Backlight

  Use it in the dark. Pebble lights up with a quick flick of the wrist.
• 

  Customizable Faces

  100s of watchfaces to suit your mood and personality.
• 

  Daylight Readable

  An e-paper display means you can read your Pebble even in direct sunlight.
• 

  Changeable Straps

  Bling out your Pebble with customizeable watch straps and accessories.
• 

  Vibrating Alarms

  Pebble can wake you up or give you a subtle notification that only you'll notice.

Christmas is coming....My favourite gifts to give....

The holidays should be all about spending time with friends and family, so why not give a gift that allows your special someone to cherish and keep fond memories close by with a gallery in a box by Pottery Barn.




This is an easy and stylish way to display your favourite photos.


Gallery in a Box set comes with everything you need to easily create a beautiful wall of memories. Choose from a set of six or a set of 10 wood frames with archival mats to add a display in any space. For decorating ideas to transform your walls, click here to view our Wall Solutions Tool.

• Set of 6 contains frames listed below:
• Single-Photo Frame (1): holds one 4 x 6" photo
• 3-Photo Frame (1): holds three 4 x 6" photos
• Single-Photo Frame (2): holds one 5 x 7" photo
• 2-Photo Frame (1): holds two 5 x 7" photos
• Single-Photo Frame (1): holds one 8 x 10" photo
• Set of 10 contains frames listed below:
• Triple Wood Gallery Frame (2): holds three 4" x 6" photos
  
• Single Wood Gallery Frame (2):  holds one 4" x 6" photo
  
• Single Wood Gallery Frame (3):  holds one 5" x 7" photo
  
• Double Wood Gallery Frame (1): holds two 5" x 7" photos
  
• Single Wood Gallery Frame (2):  holds one 8" x 10" photo
  
• Crafted of alder wood with either a black, white or espresso painted finish.
• Bevel-cut archival quality mat is included: Black and White frames with a white mat. Espresso with an ivory mat.

And why not include a few of your favourite photos as well.....

Christmas is coming...my favourite gifts to give....

One of my favourite gifts to give is an experience!  So for your best friends, girlfriend/boyfriend or spouse, why not purchase a pair of tickets to a concert, show or game!  Book a sitter for the kids (if needed) and have a great time together.  There are a number of concert tours in 2014, musicals, and sporting events .  Why not plan on dinner and drinks, too.

Great Gift Giving

So the holidays are upon us - it's already December and time is ticking away!  I've got a great start on my gift buying - how about you?  Buying gifts can be very time consuming, expensive and for some stressful.  In order to make the experience as stress-free as possible I follow a few tips of my own.

1.  Plan ahead - before going to the mall or looking online - I plan roughly how much to spend on each person.  You can also plan ahead by asking around (friends, family etc...) for some ideas such as what they need, what they like, what stores they like, what are their hobbies etc...This will save you some time and keep you on (or as close to budget as possible) .  studies show by wandering without direction when shopping for gifts people tend to over spend.

2.  Try to get some gifts early (I know too late now but maybe next year).  Again, this helps with budgeting and you can sometimes find something really special for someone and so what if it's August - hang on to it until December rolls around!  A few years ago, I was at a silent auction and there was a beautiful Delft Cheese platter with a wood cutting board and a knife.  It was lovely and perfect for my in-laws.  My husband thought I was crazy to buy them a Christmas gift in September but they loved it!

3.  Is you family getting bigger and bigger? As people get engaged, married and start having children and then more children your shopping list can get exponentially bigger in no time at all.  Keep everyone's costs down by doing a gift exchange and draw names or keep a monetary limit on gifts. Or try a new tradition - before my sister-in-law and her family were transferred to Calgary, we used to go out on a double date (with our husbands) for a nice dinner and split the check instead of buying gifts.  We always had a great time and it's always great to spend time with loved ones. 

4.  Ask how you can help - this is great for parents with really young children (infants). Buying diapers, wipes, formula etc...is so helpful and really helps the parents out.  At the infant stage, they won't remember getting toys or new clothes but the parents will really appreciate the supplies and believe me, they will be used!  other great ideas for new parents, trying making them a meal they could easily heat up at home, or bake them some cookies (I doubt they will have time for holiday baking) or offer them a night of babysitting so they can go out on a date - that's an awesome gift for parents!

5.  Keep it light and fun!  Do a secret gift exchange withe a dollar limit and some kind of restrictions for example a maximum of $20 and it has to start with the letter'B'.  That way, it's about creativity, fun and less about money and stuff.  You share some laughs with friends.

6. Need to buy for kids and you don't have any? Ask around the office or sales people.  A lot of online stores have recommendations for age groups and genders. I love Chapters online - they have a tab labeled 'Birthdays' but you look there and they have it broken down in age categories and have the hottest toys and books for the age groups - so easy!

Some of my favourite gifts to give:
- wine journal and wood serving platter  perfect for foodies and people who love to entertain at home

- personalized storybooks perfect for children of any age, they love to see themselves in the book and it's a wonderful keepsake

- crafts or anything hands-on and creative - there are so many different options for boys and girls, it's nice to give kids something other than video games or electronic stuff.  It's so healthy and fun to use or brains too

- items for the home I find so many people want to get new items for the home but they never do, so it's always a great gift especially for someone who has just purchased a new home or under gone a renovation.

- dinner out  is such a treat and a great gift for parents who need a break

- board games again better bonding than DVDs and video games. this is a great gift for couples and families, throw in a few snacks and you've got hours of fun!

And if cash is tight, try offering your talents like babysitting, housecleaning (again, awesome for new parents or an elderly family member), baking or cooking a meal, sewing, knitting, make some ornaments for the tree, dog walking, or just spend quality time together.  Christmas isn't about giving each other stuff - it's about love, peace and friends and family.

Giving back....

I have had dogs in my life for my entire life and I have loved them all and miss the we ones we lost...that is why I am a supporter of the Humane Society. I personally donate monthly to the Ottawa Humane Society because I feel that the work they do is important. This year alone they have helped more than 11,000 pets in dire need of medical treatment and TLC. There is a lot that you can do to help your local animal shelter but if you can't adopt , foster or volunteer the Humane Society welcomes donations of blankets and other pet supplies. Check out http://www.heartwarminggifts.ca/ to find the most needed 'gifts' for our local animal shelter. Or you can donate as much or as little as you like, any funds are appreciated.

$36 provides an animal with a complete shelter package with lodging, food and care

$ 50 covers medical treatments and vaccinations

$150 helps to control the pet overpopulation problem through spaying and neutring

Your funds go to food, care, spaying and neutring, foster care programs, cruelty investigation, humane education programs, blankets and toys, lost and found, vaccinations and emergency medical treatment.

The Ottawa Humane Society is building a new 40,000 square foot Animal Shelter to help today's and tomorrow's animals...

Giving is better than receiving especially to those in need....

Favourite things - Sticks and Stones...

Looking for a unique gift for a birthday, wedding, baby shower, Christmas or any special occasion?

Look no further than http://www.createsticksandstones.com/

A company started by a young family and an alphabet project for their daughter. They began 'letter hunting' in their community and natural surroundings and took photos of the letters they found. (See photo for further understanding of this truly unique idea). They began their business by creating gifts for teachers and other community members with their 'alphabet photography'. Now you too can do the same. Check out their website for ideas and creat your own photo keepsake.

A great idea that is truly one of a kind!

Loving Lavish and lime!

Looking to be more eco-friendly without giving up style? Check out http://www.lavishandlime.com/ for great body, living, kids and baby etc...ideas for greener living. These items also make great gifts!

My favourites:

the Clementine natural soy crayon rocks

the Lunch Punch sandwich cutters

the Cork Hot Pad Band

the Glass water bottles with the silicone protective cover (various colours)

the Goodbyn lunch box

There are so many ways to stay contemporary and eco-friendly. Great ideas for home organization (especially eating on the go) but great stuff for the kitchen, bathroom, kids' toys and clothing too!

All items are made in Canada! and are eco-friendly, non-toxic and chic.

Mother's Day gift ideas that make a lasting impression

Don't forget...Mother's Day is this Sunday (May 10th)

Wouldn't it be nice to get mom something she will love?

Check out these ideas. Mom will love them.

1 -- Get flowers that last. Cut bouquets are a nice treat but opt for a potted version which will last much longer. For the mother that loves being in the kitchen, try an herb garden! It is a great idea for teas and cooking!

2 -- A beautiful picture frame with your picture inside. It is another lasting memory and is a very thoughtful gift especially if you live apart from each other. Another option is to create a photo montage - the frames are easy (check out home decor or photography stores) to find and you can select a variety of photos ranging from childhood until now.

3 -- Treat mom to some luxury. A high thread count sheet set or a cashmere throw blanket. In Ottawa's By Ward market the store "Mon lit" has some very rich and luxurious bedding and accessories to choose for mom.

4 -- Candles make a great gift especially if they come in a reusable holder. There are so many scents available too. When selecting a scent remember that it becomes stronger when lit, so if the perfume is intense without being lit, try another scent. In most cases a lighter scent is better.

5 -- If mom loves to garden, create a gardener's gift basket - include hand tools, some seeds, gloves and maybe a how-to book. Again, this is a gift that will last and keep a hobby of mom's growing.

6 -- If your mother is like mine, she doesn't really spend money on the basics for herself - so do it for her. Peek around her house and see what she could use - towels, kitchen gadgets, or cutlery. It's practical and functional but appreciated.

7 -- Anything for the outdoors. The outdoor living space is now very popular whether it is the large family backyard or a chic condo style patio - there is a lot to choose from. Buy mom some outdoor accessories such as candle sets, margarita set or dishes. There are so many to choose from, great colour and pattern and at many price points.

8 -- A good book. Look for something special - an inspirational or motivating story or a fabulous photography book. Be sure to write a personal message inside and date it!

9 -- Make something. There are some great ceramic stores in Ottawa such as the Mud Oven and Gotta paint! You can create a special gift for mom. Give yourself about a week to select the item, paint it and fire it (the final touch of the ceramic process which gives the item a glossy and polished finish). They have salad bowls, teapots, coffee mugs, picture frames, serving platters and more, that you can personalize right there in the store.

10 --The gift of time -- What this Mom adores most is being with you, so take the time to plan a special day for you both: shopping, a picnic in the park, a rambling walk. Think of your Mom's favourite things and share them together -- she'll be delighted with your consideration.