Secret Santa

Do you remember in elementary school – or maybe at work -drawing a name from a hat, then secretly buying a gift for that person? Try it with your family this year. You might not want to try it with the little kids, but this works great for teens and adults who understand the concept that less is more. Get together with everyone and agree on keeping below a strict spending limit. Your shopping list will become much shorter and it’s a more affordable way to give one really nice gift to someone, rather than a lot of not-so-great small ones.

Don’t Stress: Organize!

Being organized helps you to avoid a lot of holiday stress in the first place, so make your list and check it twice. In fact, check it more than twice, check it often. When you’re feeling overwhelmed with everything you need to do, spend some time alone thinking about what is really important to you for the holidays. Prioritize those things and don’t stress over the little details that won’t even be remembered come Boxing Day.

Delegate

Now that you’ve got your list, what do you do with it? If you’re like most families, Mom still does the lion’s share of the holiday networking, shopping and organizing. However, it doesn’t have to be like that. Give your significant other a detailed grocery list of things to pick up for the big dinner or task him with picking up specific holiday gifts. Get your kids to help decorate — it could make a great memory and you’ll have one-of-a-kind decor. Your house doesn’t have to look like Martha Stewart’s and it’s only for a few weeks, right? Try having them make gift wrap by potato printing on kraft paper or just let them go nuts with markers on some card stock. Remember: it doesn’t have to look perfect, but it should be fun.

Try Crowd-Sourcing your Holiday

Don’t take on doing everything by yourself and burn yourself out. If you’re stuck for ideas, ask for help on Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus or wherever you network. You might just get a really brilliant idea that you’d never have thought of. Or you might be able to trade skills with your friends. You could also host a cookie party: a get-together with your friends where everyone brings a few dozen cookies to share. If you arrange in advance who’s making what, then everyone goes home with a great variety of goodies for the holidays. Make the big dinner a potluck. Maybe you’ll cook the turkey and some fixings, but everyone else who comes will bring all the side dishes. Not only is this less work and expense for you, but your guests can make the dish that they’re best at cooking, so you could end up with an amazing feast.

Give to a Stranger

Rather than spending hundreds (thousands?) of dollars on gifts for people who really don’t need them, donate the money to an organization or cause you really support. Besides feeling good about helping others in need, it’s easier than a trip to the mall. You can donate online with just a credit card number and a few clicks. Donate a lump sum to one group or give to a different organization for each person on your list. Most charities will provide you with a greeting card to let the person know you gave in their name. Do a bit of homework first to find a reputable organization that’s aligned with your values. This is a great last-minute gift, too, since you don’t have to ship anything.

With the time and money you have saved with the previous tips reward yourself this holiday season. Go shopping for a nice accessory piece to wear to a holiday party, or a great pair of pajamas to relax in. Spend time doing something that recharges you, be it a spa visit or just a kid-free coffee with a friend. Don’t put yourself last on the list. Schedule time for yourself this holiday season because you deserve it!

How do you keep the holiday stress at bay? Share your tips with us!

*Image credit – Travis Estell on Flickr

Registered Holistic Nutritionist

To answer this, I talked to an expert: Registered Holistic Nutritionist (and busy mom) Debbie Scallion of Real Earth Nutrition. In case you don’t know, RHNs are professionals trained in natural nutrition and complementary therapies, who mainly educate people about the benefits and health impact of optimal nutrition.

Debbie received her training at the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition. She explains why she chose this career path, saying, “I have always been interested in nutrition since I can remember. I taught myself how to cook, I scoured recipe books and watched every cooking show I could find on TV. I read books on the human body, biochemistry, psychology to learn more about what we need to have in our bodies to have them perform well. When I watched my unhealthy parents become healthy by changing their lifestyles to incorporate supplements and a more active lifestyle, I was hooked.”

What an RHN Does

As an RHN, Debbie sees clients in her office to help them achieve their health goals. Some come to her with pre-existing conditions in need of nutritional support. She sees people with cancer, Crohn’s, IBS, diabetes, disordered eating, or planning for or recovering from surgery. Since becoming a mother, she’s specialized in women’s issues including fertility, pregnancy, and feeding kids. She gives nutrition talks at a recovery house for kids who are recovering from drug and alcohol addiction, she runs a very successful weight loss program in a group setting and she does corporate seminars on various health topics.

Recently Debbie organized a major food event in Vancouver called Feast of Flavour. Participants sampled delicious foods while learning about the natural healing properties of the key ingredients. On offer was organic wine from Summerhill winery and organic saison beer featuring local hops. Celebrity chefs were also on hand to provide demonstrations. She’s looking forward to making next year’s event even better.

Resources for Eating Well

Debbie’s favourite cook books are A Pastry Queen Goes Green by Lorene Sauro, Feeding the Whole Family by Cynthia Lair, and The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook by Alissa Segerstein and Tom Malterre. Websites she loves include Cookus Interruptus, Saveur, Epicurious for quick ingredient dish ideas and a couple of food blogs called Poppytalk and Everybody Likes Sandwiches.

Where does the food expert shop for groceries? Since Debbie lives on Main Street, she heads to the Winter Farmers Market at Nat Bailey Stadium on Saturdays for produce, eggs and fish. She also likes East West Market  and Mainly Organics. When she occasionally eats meat, she shops at the old-school butcher shop Windsor Meats on Main at Kind Edward for their well-priced organic poultry and grass fed beef.

Debbie’s Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating

Since the holiday season is upon us, we thought we’d get Debbie’s tips for eating healthy while getting festive. Here’s what she had to say:

• Try to incorporate an 80/20 rule with healthy eating. 80% of the time eat as best you know how and 20% of the time, give yourself a break.
• Pre-eat before going to holiday parties so you’ll be less likely to over indulge.
• If you think you may have a difficult time, keep a food journal over the holiday season. It helps to bring awareness to what you’re putting in your body. Once you’re aware, you can’t become unaware!
• Stay as close to the original food as possible. It’ll help to keep you away from most processed foods. You’d be surprised how easy to prepare whole foods can be.
• Bring healthy options with you. It’s amazing how many classic recipes can be converted into a healthier form without compromising taste!

How do you eat healthy over the holiday season? Share your tips with us!

Real Earth Nutrition

www.realearthnutrition.com Facebook  | Twitter
109-1534 West 6th Avenue, Vancouver

What to do in Vancouver: Five Downtown Holiday Traditions

The Santa Claus Parade

The eighth annual Rogers Santa Claus Parade is on Sunday. The 1.2 km parade route starts at West Georgia and Broughton, runs along Georgia to Burrard, and then continues along Burrard to Cordova. Georgia and Thurlow will also be closed to vehicle traffic for the Coast Capital Savings Christmas Square, where there will be face painting and other activities for the kids from 10:30 am until the parade starts. With floats, marching bands, entertainers, and a glimpse of the big man himself, this event is our family’s official kickoff to the holiday season.

Date: Sunday, December 4th
Time: 1:00 pm
Admission: Free, but you’re encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Vancouver Food Bank.
Insider tip: Dress warm and waterproof – the parade goes ahead no matter what the weather is doing!

Skating at Robson Square

I haven’t skated in years, and my husband, born and raised in Vancouver, has no idea how to skate. We’ve decided that this year ice skating at Robson Square (800 Robson St, across from the Vancouver Art Gallery) will be a new addition to our list of family traditions. We will either rival the Keystone Kops for sheer slapstick absurdity, or one of us will end up in the emergency room, but we’re determined to skate with our little boy. He has fond memories of watching the Olympic mascots skate at Robson Square in 2010 and has wanted to do it himself ever since. This is our year – wish us luck!

Date: Ongoing from Thursday, December 1st until the end of February 2012, weather permitting
Time: Sunday – Thursday 9:00 am – 9:00 pm, Friday and Saturday 9:00 am – 11:00 pm
Admission: Free if you bring your own skates, or $4/person for skate rentals, available on site.

Bright Nights in Stanley Park

This tops our list of What to do in Vancouver for the Holidays. It was the first of the downtown holiday traditions our family established. We took our son on the Christmas Train for the first time when he was only 6 months old – it’s great for all ages! Christmas music and animated displays get us into the holiday spirit, and seeing our son’s face as he watches the two million sparkly lights from the train really remind me how magical Christmas is for children.

Date: Friday, December 2nd to Monday, January 2nd (closed December 25th)
Time: Sunday – Thursday 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm, Friday and Saturday 3:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Admission: Admission to the plaza is by donation, and train rides are $9 for adults, $6 for children and seniors. Tickets can be bought in advance through Ticketmaster, or on the day of at the ticket booth in Stanley Park. All donations, and a portion of every ride fare, go to the the BC Professional Firefighters’ Burn Fund.

Vancouver Tree Lighting

The fifth annual Tree Lighting Celebration is Friday, December 9th in Jack Poole Plaza at the Convention Centre, and features appearances by the Vancouver Children’s Choir, members of the BC Lions, and Bro Jake from Rock 101. There are also crafts for the kids, hot chocolate, and maybe even an appearance by the jolly old elf himself!

Date: Friday, December 9th
Time: 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Admission: Free, but the event is collecting donations of new, unwrapped toys for the Aboriginal Mother Centre Society.

Lights at Beach Avenue and Bidwell Street

This is a smaller, more personal tradition; no crowds, no fanfare. Every year, the City of Vancouver bedecks a stand of trees on Beach Avenue at the foot of Bidwell Street in the West End with thousands of lights, and it is quietly spectacular. We choose a clear night and walk over to the “big tree!” as my son calls it,  stand underneath, gaze up at the branches, and enjoy a few silent moments as a family.

Date: the trees are lit up during the month of December
Admission: Priceless

In addition to these traditions, there are other things we do every holiday season. We love to walk along Robson Street and take in the window displays and busy shoppers, check out the Vancouver Christmas Market, and get photos taken with Santa Claus. If you’re wondering what to do in Vancouver to celebrate the holiday season, there’s no end of family fun in the downtown core.

What downtown traditions do you have with your family? Leave us a reply and let us know

Guest post by Zeynep Dogu Cameron of Plus One Photography

Seven years ago I took a trip to Berlin, Germany with my family. It was towards the end of November, so my father suggested we visit the famous German Christmas market. I will never forget how amazing it was. There were small huts set on the streets of Berlin serving hot wine, cookies, bratwurst, cheese and many more goodies. So when I heard about a German Christmas Market opening in Vancouver this year, I stopped eating right away to open up space for some German goodness.

I finally had the chance to make my visit and it put me in a wonderful holiday spirit. Christmas village is made of row upon row of illuminated wooden huts offering handmade gifts and tempting treats just like the one I visited years ago in Germany. As soon as I arrived I followed a tempting smell. I found myself in front of the Dussa’s Ham & Cheese hut. The inviting smell was the melting Raclette which was getting ready to be served on a focaccia bread. This tasty looking Swiss cheese is aged 3-4 months and made with raw milk.

My next stop was the potato hut. After taking some pictures of the friendly vendors we chatted a bit about their process. These delicious potatoes are baked in a Kumpir oven which originates from Turkey. They are served fresh out of the oven with a variety of mouth watering toppings.

I also want to thank the hot wine vendor for presenting me the creation of that cinnamon festive goodness. A large sugar cone (dipped in rum and wine) is set to flame. As the rum-soaked sugar cone melts, it drips into your punch to add a wonderful, one-of-a-kind flavor. Let’s not forget how inviting the bratwursts, baked apples, stollen and pickles look. Feel free to bring your little ones too. The Kids Market is offering gingerbread decorating, chocolate lollipop making and candle decorating to entertain them as well.

So if you need a kick to get into the mood for the holidays I suggest you make your way to the Plaza at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. The market will be open till December 24th. For more information check out their website. Happy Holidays!

VancouverMom.ca asked some of its favourite local merchants to name its top picks for the season. Joanna Mileos and her awesome staff over at Granville Island Toy Company offered up this list of Top 20 Gifts. And while we had girls in mind, most of these items would be appropriate for that boy on your list too.

1. Plan Green Dollhouse (with Furniture)

Granville Island Toy Company says: “Really popular with an environmentally friendly look.”

I personally have been oohing and ahhhing for a Plan dollhouse for a few years now (it happens to be under the tree for my daughters this year). I love the modern aesthetic of these dollhouses, as well as Plan’s eco-vision in everything the make. This Plan Green Dollhouse features a wind turbine and solar cell panel with electrical inverter for generating electricity, as well as little touches like a rain barrel and shade canopy, for the little environmentalist in your family.

2. Corolle Dolls Lia Interactive Doll

Granville Island Toy Company says: “All of Corolle’s dolls are fantastic and really well-made.”

Corolle is my brand of choice for traditional dolls for my girls. I love this collection of dolls from France. My youngest daughter has had her beloved “baby” since she was about a year old and has carried its plush squishy goodness around with her everywhere since she received it. Joanne recommended Corolle Dolls’ Lia Interactive, a doll that not only speaks four languages, but also responds when your child interacts with it. Lia will laugh when you tickle her feet and cry when she’s hungry. Comes with eight accessories: a bib, plate, bottle, spoon, potty and three bracelets to allow you to change the language.

3. Calico Critters Cozy Cottage

Granville Island Toy Company says: “A sweet dollhouse that any little girl would love.”

Measuring 12” x 10.75” x 8”, this adorable house comes with an amazing amount of furniture and accessories, including Bell Hopscotch Rabbit, bed with matching sheets, table with chairs, kitchen counter with sink and oven, along with moveable stairs, cookware and food! Terrific for children ages 3+.

4. ThinkFun Hoppers Junior

Granville Island Toy Company says: “Teaches the kids problem-solving.”

ThinkFun’s series of games are terrific for kids. In ThinkFun’s Hoppers Junior, a single player helps Red Frog Freddy win the leaping contest by being the last one on the pond. Players choose a challenge and place the frogs on the playing board to match the picture shown. To win, players hop all of their frogs around the pond until only the Red Frog remains. Ranging from Easy to Super Hard, this game will keep any five- to seven-year-old busy.

5. Kids of Carcassonne

Any person that plays the adult version of this game knows just how addictive Carcassonne can be. In Kids of Carcassonne, sheep, chicken and cows have been set free in the town of Carcassonne and children have to catch the animals before dusk. Two or four players can play (although the game is ideal with four). Appropriate for children aged four and up.

6. Bloco Horses and Unicorns Set

Granville Island Toy Company says: “Made in Canada.”

Bloco has some amazing 3D building kits. This set allows for the simultaneoius creation of three models: a horse, a unicorn and a filly. Accessories like a saddle, blanket, mane and bridle are included. The filly can also be mounted on cradles to create a rocking horse. Or kids can use their imagination and build whatever suits their fancy.

7. Teaching Cash Register

Granville Island Toy Company says: “The absolute best play value. Works with Canadian money – fake or real.”

Joanna couldn’t say enough about the Teaching Cash Register. One of her customers even joked that his kids could use the cash register to figure out how much money they raided out of his spare change. The Teaching Cash Register talks, lights up and makes other rewarding sounds. Games help kids practice basic math skills such as addition and subtraction. Comes with Canadian money and also works with really Canadian currency!

8. Little Tikes 8×8 Bouncer

Granville Island Toy Company says: “Easy to pack.”

I couldn’t believe that you could have your very own bouncy castle for your backyard. This inflatable bouncer is built with durability in mind – a double-stitched entrance and made with puncture-resistant material and a durable mesh netting. Includes stakes to anchor the bouncer firmly to the ground and a heavy-duty blower. For ages 3 to 10 years.

9. Crazy Forts by Crazy Forts

Granville Island Toy Company says: “Stable. Kids can easily make their own tents.”

I’ve been eyeing Crazy Forts for some time. If your kids are struggling to make their indoor forts with blankets and furniture, use this fort system instead. Children can connect the balls and sticks to make a structure and then cover it with bedsheets – solving that dilemma of not having enough chairs or tables to create a substantial fort.

10. Melissa and Doug Shopping Cart

I don’t know what it is, but kids love shopping carts. Made with durable metal, Melissa and Doug’s Shopping Cart looks just like one from a real grocery store. Complete with pivoting front wheels, a folding doll seat, and protective corner bumpers.

11. Spatulatta Cookbook

Granville Island Toy Company says: “Recipes are easy to make yet impressive. Nice introduction to cooking.”

The other day, I noticed that my foodie sister had this cookbook on her shelf for her kids. Based on the concept of kids teaching kids, tween-aged sisters Belle and Liv whip up adventurous yet kid-friendly recipes like Berry Dip and Roll and Yumbo Gumbo. All the recipes include full-colour photos, easy instructions and playful commentary. Spiral binding allows the book to lie flat and its high-gloss pages mean that the book is stain and spill resistant. Perfect for kids ages 9 to 12. Also check out their award winning web site at www.spatulatta.com.

12. Project Runway Fashion Design Projector Kit

For the budding fashion designer, kids can create any look by using slides to project a pattern and tracing fashion combinations that they can embellish on their own.

13. Fashion Angels Hair Stylist

Granville Island Toy Company says: “Kids learn to make real – and complicated – hair styles.”

I don’t know about you, but I’m horrible at doing my kids’ hair. I don’t really know how to get the perfect French braid and am not all that creative with the ponytails and barrettes – so this guide would surely help. This hair style guide gives your child step-by-step instructions for over 50 styles for her own hair – or using the wig that’s provided. Includes wig, hair extensions, 6 hair clips and hair colour streaking set and guide.

14. Playmais

Granville Island Toy Company says: “Made from corn, Playmais is safe, has multiple uses and can be enjoyed by kids of any age.”

Joanna loves Playmais so much she gave me a box to bring home and try with the kids. I just happened to be heading to my sister’s and between the two of us, we have two two-year-olds, a four- and five-year-old and a nine-year-old. All of them were kept busy for well over 30-minutes and proudly boasted their creations when they were done. Made of corn and water and dyed with natural and food colours, Playmais does not contain toxic ingredients and is safe to play with (although the manufacturers don’t recommend eating it!).

15. Schylling My Secret’s Safe

When I was a kid, I had a miniature Canada Post replica mailbox where I could keep letters and other valuables locked safely inside – and loved it. With My Secret’s Safe, kids can guard their special keepsakes in this steel safe complete with combination lock and alarm. Hot pink with contemporary flower graphics. Recommended for ages 5 and up.

16. GoGo’s Crazy Bones Packs

Granville Island Toy Company says: “These surprise packages are the next big thing.”

Joanna’s staff insisted that she carry GoGo’s Crazy Bones – small one-inch high plastic figures that children can play games with. Each pack contains three Crazy Bones and three stickers, each randomly selected. With 80 different types and stickers in each bag, Gogo’s Crazy Bones are sure to be the hot thing that every little kid is collecting.

17. Wikki Stix

Wikki Stix are made of wax, bend like pipe cleaners but stick to surfaces so you can make pictures. Kids can bend, twist, cut and stick the sticks together to make jewellery or 3D creatures. While the kit comes with a playboard, Wiki Stix can stick to almost any surface like paper or the fridge to make pictures. No preparation required. Clean-up is just an easy wipe with a dry cloth or paper towel.

18. Slingshot Flying Monkey With Scream Sound

Granville Island Toy Company says: “We could not stock enough of these last year.”

I gave the Slingshot Flying Monkey away in place of goodie bags at the start of my daughter’s birthday party and they kept the older kids occupied for hours. Fling the monkey long distances using its elastic arms. Dressed in a cape and mask like a super hero, the monkey will let out two loud monkey calls whenever you shoot him. Warning! This toy has a high adult-annoyance factor (note the “with scream sound” in the title), but the kids (and adults at your office) will toss these monkeys with delight. Appropriate for older kids (five and up) who have the hand dexterity to place their fingers in the pockets and fling the monkey.

19. Elf on the Shelf

Granville Island Toy Company says: “Perfect for any child that believes in Santa.”

In this book, Santa reveals his biggest secret – just how Santa knows who’s been naughty and who’s been nice. Each book comes with a scout elf, which the children name, register in the North Pole’s Hall of Registry at elfontheshelf.com, and print their official elf adoption certificate.

20. The Cat in The Hat Game

Granville Island Toy Company says: “An award-winning game that gets kids moving.”

This award-winning game combines balancing, jumping, sliding, giggling and more. Can you limbo under the trick-a-mas-stick will balancing the fish on your stomach? Hundreds of possibilities that encourage reading, physical activity and memory skills.

Educational Building Toys

Building toys are one of the most popular types of educational learning toys for toddlers and young children, who are learning hand-eye coordination, creative thinking, and shape and colour recognition. Educational building toys may be colourful wooden blocks, plastic construction sets or soft cloth cubes that aren’t just for stacking. Select toys that are easy enough for your child to understand, but challenging enough to provide stimulation.

Recommended: MEGA Bloks Zoo Crew – a full zoo of colourful animal blocks, bells and rattles.

Activity Centres

Activity centres are favourites among kids’ and parents; they foster imagination and creativity while combining a number of sights, sounds and objects children can touch and squeeze. Younger kids will benefit from basic activity blankets where they can lie and keep busy, while activity centres for older kids are usually more elaborate: play kitchens, or fairy castles complete with costumes.

Recommended: Vtech Sit to Stand Learning Walker, which features five piano keys so toddlers can play music, three colorful spinning rollers, three shape sorters and light-up shape buttons.

Electronic Educational Toys

As technology grows in leaps and bounds, so do children’s educational learning toys. Electronic educational toys combine a wide variety of learning tools. Many of today’s electronic educational toys are also very practical: they’re designed to grow with your child, featuring a number of skill levels so that they can convert as your kid grows and stay relevant for years.

Recommended: LeapFrog Leapster 2 Learning Game System. This system connects to the LeapFrog Learning Path, an online experience that lets you see what your child is learning. It features a library of over 30 learning games to teach skills in different subjects, like arts, reading, mathematics and science. Kids can also connect online for extra activities and rewards.

Educational Videos

Don’t like the idea of plunking your kid down in front of the TV to watch daytime programming? Choose an educational video that keeps your child’s age and interests in mind, and you’ll be surprised how quietly they’ll sit to take in everything from learning a foreign language to playing along to modern music.

Recommended: Richard Scarry’s Best ABC Video Ever, a video featuring 26 short stories that introduces kids to the alphabet. Children will learn how to identify different letters and words.

Erin Stringer has been a freelance writer for over 10 years, and her work has appeared in various online and offline publications. She enjoys writing about all that Vancouver has to offer. Erin is a VancouverMom.ca contributor. Have some great article ideas? Find out how you can become a contributor.

VancouverMom.ca asked a few of our favourite local merchants to put together their list of top gifts for this holiday season. Leanne Kripp and Anne Leishman over at North Vancouver’s Jack and Lola told us what their top picks were for moms on the go. They’ve also generously offered VancouverMom.ca readers a discount of 15% (some restrictions apply – see in store for details). Just mention that you’ve heard about the offer at the time of purchase.

Guest post by Leanne Kripp and Anne Leishman.

Perfect Gifts For Moms On the Go

1.  Mommy Hook $8

How often do moms say they could use an extra hand?  Now they have one. The Mommy Hook holds all types of bags and fits on both strollers and grocery carts with ease.  It’s the must-have accessory for any mom-on-the-go.

Why We Love It: Made of aluminum, not plastic.

2.  ERGO Weather Cover $44

ERGO has invented the perfect product for rainy days in Vancouver.  A water-resistant and lined cover for their baby carriers!  Your little loved one will stay snuggly and warm even in the worst downpour.

Why We Love It: Fits with our favourite carrier.

3.  Personalized necklace from Luxe Design

Keep your family close to your heart throughout the day with a personalized necklace from Luxe Design.  Birthstones, charms, and personal message can all be incorporated to create a completely unique piece.  (VancouverMom.ca: Luxe has been nominated for one of Vancouver’s 30 Essential Jewellery Designers!)

Why We Love It: If you like, you can base your designs on necklaces done for celebrities.

4.  My Monkey Moo Blanket $64

A stylish addition to any park outing, these blankets keep baby warm while looking oh so cool.  The new Metro and Solido lines offer a more contemporary design while the printed fabrics add some flair to your daily walk.

Why We Love It: These can be combined with a matching stroller pad for an entire look.

5.  Baby Bjorn Travel Crib $329.99

A happy baby is a sleeping baby and we are sure that your little one will fall fast asleep in this cozy crib.  This is the perfect item for travels abroad or just a jaunt over to Grandma’s house.

Why We Love It: Can be put together in less than 10 seconds.

6. Skip Hop Triple Bottle Bag/Lunch Bag $33.99

Bottles, and snacks, and keys, oh my!  Worn as a shoulder bag, backpack, or clipped to your stroller, it’s ideal for any mom heading out for the day with young children.

Why We Love It: Keeps bottles or sippy cups cold for up to 4 hours.

7.  Tuffo Outdoor Blanket $45

Water-resistant on one side and padded material on the other, this blanket is superbly designed for the variety of outdoor activities and terrain to be found around the Lower Mainland. Keep it handy in the trunk and never worry again about sitting the kids on wet-grass or cold, hard ground again.

Why We Love It: You can easily wipe off any excess sand or grass, so it’s ideal for kids with allergies.

8.  40oz Kleen Kanteen Classic Bottle $29.99

Moms are always rightly concerned with their children’s safety and health.  Look after yourself with the Kleen Kanteen that helps to hydrate the body while being free of BPA, phthalates, lead or other toxins.

Why We Love It: Dishwasher safe and fits in most cup holders.

9.  Phil & Teds Escape Backpack Carrier $199.99

Ready for an adventure with your little one?  This backpack carrier will make it easy for you to introduce your new baby or toddler to the great outdoors.  The design of this carrier includes a rear view mirror to keep an eye on baby and a change mat for heading nature’s call.

Why We Love It: All the little extras.

10.  Petunia Pickle Bottom Sojourn Sling $89.99

Get going fast with this stylish and simply designed pouch sling made from organic cotton fabric.  Your baby will love the close contact with you while you maneuver busy streets or grocery stores with ease.

Why We Love It: “Match your sling and your diaper bag.”

11.  The New Baby’s Baby Journal $22.00

The perfect baby journal for busy moms who want to jot down special memories or moments from their baby’s first year.  Based on the series, “Urban Babies Don’t Wear Black”, it is filled with entertaining pictures from the books.

Why We Love It: Great captions!

12.  BOB Stroller Strides Fitness Kit $39.99

Turn your stroller into a fitness machine and get in shape on the move.  The kit includes two exercise tubes, one water bottle holder that attaches to your BOB stroller and a fitness manual to help you develop a whole body workout.

Why We Love It: Much cheaper than a personal trainer

13.  Green Zebra Coupon Book $20

Handy for your daily travels or a night on the town, Green Zebra lets you save on products and services while supporting local eco-friendly businesses. Feel good about shopping for yourself and your family.

Why We Love It: You get option of mobile coupons to find sustainable businesses right from your phone.

14.  Cake by Petunia Cosmopolitan Carryall $369.99

Functional interior meets fashionable exterior with this diaper bag.  No one would ever believe that this bag features a mommy pocket and change pad within its European cut velvet and coordinating wool tweed exterior.  It carries all the daily essentials for baby or for your own weekend getaway.

Why We Love It: The detailed finishing on this bag is a definite plus.

15.  Clek Oobr booster seat $319.99

For moms who flinch every time they look in their rear mirror at the cheerio-filled and juice-stained car seats, this is the answer to their prayers.  Oobr boosters are made with easy to clean Crypton Super Fabrics that resist moisture, stains and bacteria.

Why We Love It: Covers are removable and machine washable.

16.  Uppa Vista $799.99

This stroller can be used with your first, second, and even your third child with the addition of a Rumble Seat and piggyBack board – and still considered a single stroller!

Why We Love It: Easily maneuvers around corners and through narrow shopping aisles.

17.  Ju Ju Be Wardrobe Station $26

Experienced moms know never to leave home without a spare diaper and change of clothes.  The Wardrobe Station can carry that and a whole lot more with two inside travel pouches and an exterior pocket for cash or keys.

Why We Love It: Inside pockets are waterproof.

18.  Bebe Au Lait Nursing Covers $39.99

Nursing in public often meant searching for a quiet spot where your baby wouldn’t get distracted by all the activity around them.  Now it is often passers-by who are distracted by the chic design and patterns of these covers, while baby nurses in peace and quiet.

Why We Love It: The rigid neckline that allows you to monitor your baby without disturbing him/her.

19.  Maclaren Easy Traveller $149.99

It is EASY to transport your precious cargo with this car seat carrier from Maclaren. Perfect for those quick trips out, or when baby falls asleep in the car on your way to the store.

Why We Love It: Includes a cup holder and fits a number of different car seat brands.

20.  Monte Luca Glider $945

The life of a mom-on-the-go is filled with adventure and misadventure.  At the end of the day, you need a place to relax and unwind.  Ergonomic arm height for feeding, a smooth gliding motion, and removable lumbar pillow all combine with beautiful design make this a wonderful place to end the day.

Why We Love It: This Canadian-made chair could fit the décor of any room in the house.

Jack and Lola are offering VancouverMom.ca readers a discount of 15% (some restrictions apply – see in store for details) until December 24, 2009. Just mention that you’ve heard about the offer at the time of purchase.

“No one has ever become poor by giving.”—Anne Frank

“There is a wonderful mythical law of nature that the three things we crave most in life – happiness, freedom, and peace of mind – are always attained by giving them to someone else.” —Peyton Conway March

Sarah rattles the chain link fence and breaking icicles shatter like bells. I look back at Joy in the driver’s seat of the Micra, drumming mittened fingers on the steering wheel while the car puffs determined smoke rings into a swirl of snow. This is totally not going to work. The tree lot still has lights on, but it’s late on Christmas Eve, the roads are skating rinks, we’re in the middle of a white out, there are no people around anywhere, and it’s locked up tight. Except, maybe, for police trolling up and down Hastings Street looking for burglars.

I blow on my hands and say, “Never mind, let’s check somewhere else.”

Sarah keeps examining the perimeter. It’s so cold the inside of my nostrils freeze.

We’ve just come from delivering a hamper to a sole support mom and her kiddos this Christmas Eve. When Marsha confided that she couldn’t find a taxi willing to deliver a tree to her, and her kids held up homemade popcorn and cranberry strings, their big eyes blinking, well, we were goners.

Sarah finds a spot where the chain doesn’t meet and manages to slide inside, all elfin and thin. I’m a hundred pounds bigger and 23 years older, and when she holds open the gap, for a minute I just pray for a cop, anyone just to stop me from getting stuck. But I’m all charged up and reckless. Breaking and entering, me? It’s such a surreal moment that it seems like we could never get caught. I push my bulk through the gate and sure enough, yup, stick as if the fence is size 10 pants. Can’t go forward, can’t go back. Just for a second, I hate Joy in the safe warmth of the getaway car.

Sarah says, “Mom, come on,” and yanks my coat.

Like that will work.

Suck it in, I tell myself and surprise myself by popping out like an enormous ping pong ball. I am the most graceful thief in all of Vancouver, surely.

Green boughs beat in the wind like weird angel wings, but we soon find out there aren’t actually any trees left. I think, Why lock the place up then? There are needles and wood chips and chunks littering the ground, heaps of string, dangling ropes that once anchored trees. In the debris, I’m cold, shivering. Around Vancouver, no one dresses for the weather, and I’m no exception in a light spring jacket. Sarah finds tops that have been cut off other people’s trees, woebegone trees, and holds them up for my appraisal (which surely I could have offered from the legal side of the fence). Finally, I just nod, because really, they all look the same—like not real trees, just like Charlie Brown trees a pitiful two feet tall.

Still though, lame or not, the tree cries sap as we drag it back to the opening. I tell Sarah we should leave a twenty stuck in the door of the shed, but she says I’m insane. I tell myself the tree was just going to be pulped anyhow. Sarah slides out. She tugs the tree out. I, on the other hand, heave and ho and suck in my gut and finally stumble free ripping the back out of my coat. Joy lifts the sorry little tree into the back of the car. We skid out on the slippery roads with the tree shushing out the back like some demented green mermaid tail and take it to its awaiting family.

At our house, Christmas morning turns out to be a bit of an anti-climax because the hamper was our only gift to each other, and, well, we didn’t get a tree either. But we have our beautiful house, and each other, and before long, the scent of cooking turkey and the sounds of relatives knocking at the door to celebrate with us. And we have this small something else tucked inside us like a little private present just for we three—the memory of our great Christmas tree heist and the knowledge that across town some kiddos are opening presents under their brilliantly decorated little tree.

Jane Eaton Hamilton is the author of six books and the owner of Vancouver’s photo studio Jane Photo, where she photographs mostly the under-ten set.  She is the  mother of two grown daughters.  This year she will deliver another Christmas Eve hamper.

Image courtesy of www.janeeatonhamilton.com

Vancouver Mom asked a few of our favourite local merchants to put together their list of top gifts. The following is a guest post by Sue Sinclair, Chief Executive Mom of Raspberry Kids. Sue has also offered VancouverMom.ca readers 15% off any purchase at Raspberry Kids between now and December 15th, 2009.  At checkout, please use promo code:  vancouvermoms15.

You are the quarterback, the Jill of all trades, the CEO of the family, the Chef, the Chauffeur, the milk factory, the referee, the tutor and the housekeeper.  Let’s face it Vancouver Moms, we have a lot on our plates!

And for just that reason, we have come up with a list of gems just for you this holiday season.  How do you make sure you get what you really want?  You either drop some very obvious hints (including URLs, magazine clippings taped to the mirror with big circles drawn around the item you desire) or you pick up a little something for yourself while you are running around like a mad woman leading up to the holidays.

Some suggestions for you include:

My Quoteable Kid

OK, already, I know you are asking what the heck does that have to do about Moms but if you are like me, you get a huge kick out of all of your hilarious Out Of The Mouth Of Babes (OOTMOB’s as we like to call them at Raspberry Kids) moments and this wonderful book allows you to capture each of them in an organized fashion.  This is a much better option than jotting these newsy items on bits of paper or a restaurant napkin.  These books are small enough to keep in your purse or diaper bag and in a pinch, you can use them for a quick status update on Facebook or Twitter or as a conversation starter at your holiday parties.

Anything from BLUSH Designs

We recently connected with a local mom who designs some of the prettiest jewelry around, Christine from BLUSH designs, who also has been nominated for VancouverMom.ca’s 30 Essential Jewellery Designer list.  Check out the pieces she has made exclusively for Raspberry Kids including earrings, bracelets and necklaces.  Considering the lack of sleep we get, we need to replace the sparkle in our eye with something!

Espe

Long before we launched Raspberry Kids we were fans of Canadian designed espe products and now we are so pleased to sell them in our store.  The range includes so many funky, adorable and modern designs in a range of colors so there truly is something for everyone.  From wallets, to lunch bags, to luggage or laptop bag tags, to shoulder pouches, to card holders and notebooks, these make an excellent gift for thyself or others (think Caregivers, Teachers, Hostess gifts).

Momiji Secret Message Dolls

Momiji Secret message dolls aren’t just for young girls to collect.  I bought my first Momiji doll called Sister for myself and have sent these to others to help brighten their day.  Can you think of a Party Girl or a Funny Girl or perhaps someone who is having a Very Big Birthday or likes to Dance, Dance, Dance or maybe someone who qualifies as your Favorite Person, Best Friend or who deserves a Thank You.

Klean Kanteen

Last but certainly not least are the wonderful products from Klean Kanteen.  We’ve long used the water bottles in our family but were absolutely over the moon when they recently came out with Klean Kanteen wine Karafes, available in stainless steel or merlot colored.  For someone who likes the outdoors, walks, hiking, picnics and who also loves red wine, this item is a must have under your tree.

From Raspberry Kids to VancouverMoms, we wish you a fresh, healthy & fun holiday season and we would like to offer VancouverMoms 15% off their purchases between now and December 15th, 2009.  At checkout, please use the promotional code:  vancouvermoms15. Visit www.raspberrykids.com now.

And, I’m glad I went. As soon as we arrived, I started to feel really festive and forgot that it was pretty chilly out. There were lots of families milling around, checking out the two million twinkling lights strung everywhere: through the tree tops, through animated displays, and all along the train route.

I’ve been on the train many times in the summer, but never for Bright Nights, and I have to say, it was more than I expected. The entire park was blanketed in lights, with elaborate displays – an international village, Santa’s workshop, and my favourite, the moose standing in the water, lit up by sparkling lights. The kids were really excited to visit Santa in his living room as well.  There are Christmas tunes playing in the background which change as you go from display to display. Also, on some nights, professional and community choirs and bands will be performing, so ask the student ambassadors on-site if they know when the next one will be.

And in the spirit of the season…all donations collected and part of the proceeds from the train tickets go to the Burn Fund to help burn victims and their families. To date they’ve raised about $1.5 million! All those twinkling lights you see are put up by more than 500 off-duty professional firefighters from around BC, who set up and take down the display.

On the way out, of course we had to stop for a big bag of hot buttered popcorn from the Stanley Park Ecology Society’s cob house. You can also get roasted chestnuts and pistachios and hot chocolate in the Plaza.

My recommendation is to buy tickets in advance. There are over 200,000 visitors each year to Bright Nights, and we were told as it nears Christmas it gets even crazier, so get tickets early to avoid disappointment. (You can get into the park for free and see the sights, but if you want to ride the train and check out the animated displays on the route, you have to buy a ticket.)

Prices are:
Adult:  $8.00
Discount  $5.00 (Children, Youth (2-18), Seniors (65+))

Bright Nights in Stanley Park is open every day from 3 pm to 10 pm until January 2, 2010 (closed Christmas day). If you’re driving, there are parking spots in the adjoining lot that are free after 3 pm. We had no problem finding parking, but I’m not sure about that once it gets closer to Christmas! If you’re taking transit, bus #19 stops right at the bus loop by the entrance to the Train Plaza.

Photo by keepitsurreal on Flickr. | CC BY-SA 2.0

Erin Stringer has been a freelance writer for over 10 years, and her work has appeared in various online and offline publications. She enjoys writing about all that Vancouver has to offer. Erin is a VancouverMom.ca contributor. Have some great article ideas? Find out how you can become a contributor.