3M Command Brand for last-minute decorators

If you’re like me (and I hope you aren’t), you promise yourself every year that Christmas is not going to sneak up on you.

I begin the mental preparation in October. In November, I’m thinking about all the things I need to do to be ready for Christmas with time to spare. Early December rolls into town and I put up the tree and a few decorations. I’m still fully convinced at this point that I can get it all done in time to enjoy the holiday season with family and friends.

Gifts of Canadian Nature

A few years ago, my husband and I decided to give more at Christmas. Not more stuff. Just more. Like so many other families, we get caught up in the gifts. We live in a materialistic society and it’s often hard to bring ourselves back to the true meaning of Christmas.

The year we decided to give more, we went the route of donations to a program that helps families in third world countries.

Since that year, we have looked for similar programs to which we can contribute. The point of gift giving is not for the giver to benefit, but when you give from the heart, you benefit in so many ways. The key is finding something that is close to your heart.

Bringing the Christmas Smooch back with 3M’s Command Brand

December 1st marks the first official day that my husband will allow me to decorate. If it were up to me and the kids, the tree would have been up a week after Halloween, the Christmas lights would have been strung from our back deck and our front porch while the weather was still warm enough to do it without gloves and there would be a wreath hanging on our front door.

Alas, I’m not allowed to decorate for Christmas until December 1st.

This year, I’m choosing to be grateful for that delay rather than moody because I didn’t get my way.

Santa Parade Sadness

I recently wrote about my passion for parades. We were all geared up for a weekend of parade fun, then it hit me. We’re doing too much. Something’s gotta give.

And so, what gave was the Toronto Santa Claus Parade.

Surprisingly, life has gone on in the day since Santa rode his sleigh through the T dot preceded by marching bands, colouful floats, clowns and many other fabulous characters.

Christmas Baking with Gay Lea

I don’t have much of a sweet tooth. Besides my weakness for chocolate, I really could do without all other sweets.

Except at Christmas. At Christmas, there is Egg Nog and shortbread. Together or separately; I love them both.

And this year, thanks to Gay Lea, I have a couple new shortbread recipes to try: Mulled Cider Shortbread Bars and Sweet and Salty Shortbread Mounds.

Unfortunately, time has not been kind to me on the cusp of this holiday season, which has left me with no opportunity to prepare and sample these delectable new desserts.

Holidays and HatchedIt

The holidays are approaching. For my American friends, the first big one is Thanksgiving. We Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving as well (in fact, ours is this coming weekend), but not with nearly the same fanfare as the American Thanksgiving, which kicks off over a month of holiday season-ing.

So, what’s a busy mom—Canadian or American—to do when faced with an already busy schedule and several holidays piled on top?