Design & Decor Blog

I just blogged about pretty Christmas cards and thought that while I’m at it, I may as well share our favourite gift wrap accessories, too! Below are four accessories that’ll make your parcels pretty this holiday season. Check out the full story for more ideas and availability information.

There are only two weeks left til Christmas. Have you sent your Christmas cards out yet? If you’re scrambling to get everything done, relax! We’re here to help. We’ve rounded up 12 pretty Christmas cards that we just love. Below are four of our favourites but check out the full story for the rest. PLUS, if you need any other suggestions for Christmas decorating and entertaining, or if you need holiday recipe ideas, check out Holiday Central where you’ll find everything you need for a beautiful and stress-free holiday season.

Well, it’s the first of December and that means the Christmas season has officially arrived. I love this time of year and the multitude of things to do across the country, that contribute to that feeling of holiday cheer. I scoured the Internet for a few events I thought were worth checking out, but feel free to leave a comment and tell us what’s going on in your corner of the country, too!

VANCOUVER
Irving Berlin’s White Christmas: The Musical
When: Now until December 27
Make your days merry and bright by warming to this unforgettable musical about love and friendship. Based on the classic holiday film, this tap-dancing delight brims with tunes—including “Blue Skies,” “Sisters,” and the ever-popular “White Christmas”—that will fill you with the joy of the season.
Click here to buy tickets.

CALGARY
Once Upon A Christmas at Heritage Park
When: December 5 & 6, 12 & 13, 19 & 20, 2009
Celebrate the magic and wonder of Christmas Past. Tour the beautifully decorated Park on a horse-drawn wagon ride, visit Santa and his reindeer, and take a spin on the magical Town Square skating rink. Roving entertainment, hands-on Christmas activities and festive, holiday traditions will awaken your Christmas spirit. Celebrate the magic and wonder of Christmas Past. Tour the beautifully decorated Park on a horse-drawn wagon ride, visit Santa and his reindeer, and take a spin on the magical Town Square skating rink. Roving entertainment, hands-on Christmas activities and festive, holiday traditions will awaken your Christmas spirit. Click here for more information.

TORONTO
An evening with The Priests: Harmony
When: Friday, December 4, 2009, 8pm
Enjoy a very special musical evening with The Priests, the singing clergymen superstars who broke the Guinness World Record for the fastest selling classical debut album of all time. This celebration features songs from their second album entitled Harmony, released November 23rd, and conversations with Classical 96 FM Program Director John Van Driel. The event will assist in funding the St Paul’s Christmas Family Program, feeding local families in need this season. The evening is produced by Sony Music Entertainment Canada and will be recorded for broadcast on Classical 96 FM and Salt + Light Television. Performance takes place at St. Paul’s Basilica, 83 Powers Street, Toronto, M5A 3A8. Click here to buy tickets or call 1-866-9-GET-TIX; visit amazon.ca to buy their album.

MONTREAL
Christmas in the Park
When: Now until December 24, 2009
Christmas in the Park is a magical site where world music, opera, songs, storytellers, circus artists and street performers all come together in two festively decorated parks.
Click here for more information.

HALIFAX / DARTMOUTH
TD Bank Financial Group Dartmouth Christmas Tree Lighting
When: December 5, 2009, 4:30pm
This event features live entertainment, free hot chocolate and cookies (while quantities last), free Kiwanis Club “Santa Express Train Ride”, free Candy Canes (while quantities last), and a visit from Santa Claus at the HRM Fire Truck and fireworks. Nova Scotia Power is partnering with The Dartmouth Tree Lighting in order to promote energy efficient Christmas lighting and will be offering an exchange program during this event. Bring two sets of your old Christmas lights to the tree lighting ceremony. Nova Scotia Power will exchange your old Christmas lights for one set of energy efficient LED Christmas lights. Quantities are limited, and based on first come, first served.
Click here for more information or call (902) 490-6776.

Image by: GAP Photos/Mark Scott

I know, I know — it’s early. But I’m starting to feel Christmas fever. For me, it truly is the most wonderful time of year. It’s not the gifts, the shopping or anything to do with the chaos that Christmas has (sadly) become synonymous with. It’s about family and friends and the joy and peace of the season.

But — that doesn’t mean that the holidays aren’t a lot of work, as you prepare to throw the doors of your home open to welcome your nearest and dearest. But don’t stress. We’ve compiled a 50-day Holiday Countdown to help you get through with ease and elegance. Our no-muss, no-fuss approach means you can be the consummate host or hostess without losing your cool.

Check out:
50-day holiday countdown
For 50 days, we’re revealing an article a day to inspire you with decorating ideas and recipes — all with an eye to keeping things simple.

50-day gift guide
Each day for 50 days, we’ll offer you a new gift suggestion to help simplify gift buying. Whether you’re completely stuck  or just looking for an I-hadn’t-thought-of-that idea, we’re here to help.

Holiday countdown contest
So, how do you simplify the holidays? Enter our contest and share your best holiday decorating, organizing and entertaining tips. Psst! We’re giving away some fabulous prizes, too!

Interested in attending the Evergreen Festival? It’s on November 18 and 19 at the Fermenting Cellar in Toronto’s Distillery District. If you’d like to attend to get some fabulous holiday decorating ideas, visit Tara Nolan’s Budding Gardener blog at canadiangardening.com for your chance to win tickets. She’s got five pairs to give away. Click here for your chance to win. Good luck!

I spent this weekend enjoying holiday cheer with my family. We put on some Christmas music (some of my favourites are Elvis Christmas Duets, Sarah McLachlan’s Wintersong,  and Celine Dion’s These are Special Times) and set to the task of decorating the tree. It was a lovely festive afternoon of family and fun.

We also enjoyed a glass each of fresh and frothy homemade eggnog. I recently spent a weekend at Cavallo Point Lodge in Sausalito, just outside of San Francisco (you can read a bit more about it here) and I visited the cooking school, where Kelsie Kerr, Cooking School Director, was whipping up delicious, delectable holiday eggnog.

I was inspired. While I didn’t get my hands on Kelsie’s recipe, I did find a few online and I whipped up a batch of this sweet treat for my family. Mmm! Here are a few for you to try, courtesy of eggnogrecipe.net.

Easy Eggnog
Diamond Eggnog Recipe
Traditional Eggnog Recipe
Coconut Eggnog Recipe
Chocolate Eggnog Recipe
Low Fat Eggnog

Kate Spade sells gorgeous Christmas ornaments, too! Shocking! My sister is pining over a gorgeous Kate Spade bag (she likes the white; I like the black) and while I was checking out its specs online, I came across these pretty ornaments. The candy-coloured ceramic ornaments come packaged in a beautiful hatbox and will look stunning on your tree. Or, if you’re hosting a dinner party, put one on each guest’s plate with their name and let them keep it. (This means, of course, that you’ll have to buy extra for yourself!)

Price: $75 for a set of 5
For more information: visit katespade.com

I don’t know about you but it can be tough to be original year after year, holiday after holiday. I mean, I’m buying gifts for the same people every year (you know, minus maybe an ex-boyfriend or plus a new colleague I really like) … but for the most part, the list of family and friends remains the same. So each year I, like you I’m sure, am faced with the challenge of coming up with something new and special. Same goes for the Christmas cards I send out each year. Who wants to send out the same cards year after year after year? That’s why I was so excited when I came across the Canadian company Jonesy. Not only are their stationery designs super-cute, fresh and original, according to the website: “Jonesy is dedicated to supporting the highest social and environmental standards. All products are printed with soy based inks on Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper.”

Cards can be purchased individually or in boxed sets and you can also buy gift tags. Plus, I love that you can also purchase select boxed sets of cards from which 100% of the net proceeds are donated to the Sick Kids Foundation.

For more information:
Shop online at jonesy.ca. Customers won’t pay more than $5 for shipments within Canada, and for orders of $75 or more, orders will be shipped for free!

There are just 20 days left til Christmas! Have you started your decorating? Holiday decor doesn’t have to be just about crystal ornaments, window wreaths and tinsel-trimmed trees.  I love these linen pillows that express the simple message of the season in metallic embroidery. Clean and classic, they’ll suit most any decor.

Price: $34 each
Available at: Pottery Barn

Fresh, contemporary and fun, these colourful ceramic bowls are the perfect thing to put you in the holiday spirit. The multi-sized bowls will dress up any table with a burst of Christmas colour and are not only practical but left out on the table, make a lovely decoration for the season. The bowls are dishwasher safe and stack neatly when it’s time to put them away until next year.
Available at: patinastores.com
Price: 19.95 for the set