Saturday December 19, 2009
I always think the two most difficult things about holiday gift buying are buying last-minute and buying gifts for people you don't know that well. This list is one I've used to help with both situations; hopefully, it will help you, too!
2010 Olympics & Paralympics Gifts & Memorabilia
I admit, I was skeptical about Vanoc's Olympic goods at first, but if you haven't checked out the selection, you may be as pleasantly surprised as I was: there are some very cute things! The $10 Canadian team toque or $10 Christmas ornament are great choices for smaller gifts or for gifts mailed to family outside Canada. No time to order off Vanoc's site? Get most of the same goods at The Bay.
Vancouver Restaurant Cookbooks
Cookbooks are often crowd pleasers, and many of Vancouver's best restaurants have their own, adding local flavour to the gift. The Blue Water Cafe Seafood Cookbook (from Yaletown's Blue Water Cafe) and Araxi: Seasonal Recipes from the Celebrated Whistler Restaurant have won Gourmand World Cookbook Awards for Best Chef Book in Canada and Best Seafood and Fish Book in Canada, respectively. West Restaurant's West: The Cookbook won Most Innovative Cookbook in Canada in 2008. Other great choices include C Food from C Restaurant and Vancouver Cooks 2 by the Chefs' Table Society of British Columbia.
Vancouver Food & Gourmet Goods
Fabulous food is a perfect last-minute gift; it's easy to mail, too. Every year, I send Pacific Northwest favourites like smoked salmon and Chukar Cherries to my in-laws in Brazil. Meinhardt has a fantastic selection of sweets and elaborate food baskets; Kitsilano's Chocolate Arts makes wonderful hand-made chocolates.
For more last-minute holiday gift ideas, check out my Vancouver Gift Guide - Top 10 Shops for Gifts.
Since I'm always looking for new ideas (aren't we all?), please share your favourite local gifts!
Image Courtesy of Vanoc
Friday December 18, 2009
It's the last weekend before Christmas, so--if you haven't already--take a break from the shopping and take your friends and family to one of Vancouver's top Christmas shows. (They're always a little anti-climactic after December 25, no?)
- Goh Ballet's The Nutcracker
Can it be December without The Nutcracker? The beloved holiday tradition is the ballet to see, and this is the only weekend to see it. Runs from Thursday, December 17 - Sunday, December 20.
- The VSO's Traditional Christmas
Sing along to holiday favourites and carols at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra famous Christmas concerts. Catch the show before it ends on Saturday, December 18.
- White Christmas, The Musical
The Arts Club Theatre Company's holiday offering is a stage version of Irving Berlin's famous film, perfect for kids and adults alike. Runs through December 27.
Want more Christmas activities? See my list of Top 5 Vancouver Holiday Attractions.
Image Courtesy of Arts Club Theatre
Monday December 14, 2009
Hanukkah is already here, Christmas is less than two weeks away....Are you feeling overwhelmed by the holidays yet?
It can be difficult to make time for everything that both needs to happen--e.g., gift shopping--and that should happen, i.e., spending time with our friends and families and enjoying the month's special events.
To help make your holidays easier and keep you organized, check out these Quick Guides to Christmas in Vancouver:
Holiday & Christmas Shopping in Vancouver
Vancouver Christmas & Holiday Attractions
Buying Christmas Trees & Seeing Santa
Christmas Decorations & Recipes
Friday December 11, 2009
Christmas and holiday music are part of the joys of the season; why not make this weekend a musical one?
Want more seasonal ideas? Check out the Top 5 Vancouver Holiday Attractions.
