Christmas Happened

Christmas went pretty much as anticipated. SO, that was good. At least I was prepared for the roller coaster, adventure that is our family Christmas.

Sure enough, I wasted time and precious energy making too many cookies.

We forgot a couple important things at home.

Visits I was enjoying were cut short and the schedule had us running.

Weather was crazy cold, but the boys played outdoor hockey Christmas morning anyways. That's the one tradition we really treasure. It wouldn't be "US" if there wasn't morning hockey.

The uncle bought the kids the best presents.  All hail the popular uncle.

Some relative always makes an off colour, snarky remark that makes you wonder what the heck they were getting at. I chalk it up to the alcohol talking, but still it does bug me. Seems so unnecessary.

I felt super guilty that the dogs were in the kennel and that I neglected to buy them some fancy $20 pet store bone to get them thru the holiday. And while I DID forget to buy a treat for my dogs, I spent a ridiculous amount of money on people food and treats.

I missed my old dog Mocha. Missed her soooo much. For years and years, she spent late nights watching me wrap presents, bake cookies, and fuss with last minute preparations. It really hit me as I thought about leaving cookies and milk out for Santa. I used to leave cookies out on a plate near the fireplace and just leave them. Each Christmas morning the cookies would be gone. Santa? Or my sweet Mocha? She used to sneak over and ever so slyly... steal them. It was our secret.  So, without Mocha, this year, I just couldn't put cookies out. I did however, hang her monogrammed ornaments on the tree to remember her.

There's just too much pressure at Christmas. However, we do it for the kids. And they LOVE it. So, that's what makes it all worthwhile. Turns out they don't even notice the bumps, blemishes and the chaos that I feel.

Free Shipping Day!

It's free shipping day! It's free shipping day! Hi ho the dario it's free shipping day!

This is the greatest idea. This is the 2nd year in Canada. And I'm pleased to say I tried it in its inaugural year and was thrilled with the results. Last year Christmas preparations were just not happening. My mom was in the hospital and I was at her side full time. Meanwhile... back at my house, the kids were panicking that Christmas wasn't coming.

Free shipping day saved my bacon. I did nearly all my shopping on-line in about 2 hours. The beauty is that everything is guaranteed to arrive before Christmas.  They are almost all Canadian stores and they all positively ship to you in Canada.

Last year I was blown away that Roots.ca had my parcel in my hands within 48 hours. It came Fed Ex if I recall right. Roots offers free express shipping on everything this day, even clearance items. I bought my youngest just one thing. It came with wrapping paper & a note card at no extra cost. (Not sure if that applies to all items or I got lucky, but wow... impressed.)

The greatest things about this day are:

1. Canadian (Was started in the USA and is HUGE there, but finally the concept is here too. www.freeshippingday.com)

2. It's not too late! (Guaranteed to arrive before Christmas eve)

3. Ship gifts!  Soooo... if you have to send gifts elsewhere, shop online and have the company mail it right to them. Saves you wrapping, going to the post office and paying those crazy Canada Post fees. Isn't that typically your biggest barrier to sending the gifts you want to send?

4. Typically no minimum order. (Old Navy still has their $50 minimum, but they do offer you 30% off on this day too)

5. Discover new stores. I found Orb Clothing this way! Very cool. Very Canadian. And Got Something to Say They do the wall lettering you see in so many homes. (I bought little I love you messages, for my kids' rooms.)  And Globo Shoes... I know they exist around the country and are a division of ALDO shoes, but I was still pumped to find them. Great selection. Oh, and if you have an athlete in the house, don't miss Under Armour - another shop no minimum for free shipping today.

6. I don't feel like I'm stressed and fighting with other shoppers. No rushed panicked decisions made to get out of the crowd.

One last note, if you are worried about using your credit card online, just use your PayPal account. It's that easy.

Today only.... 12 12 12! Best of luck!

Fast Five: Seriously...bad gifts from husbands

Spoken not just in my voice, but the collective voice of women everywhere. (Yes, for this occasion, I nominated myself as the spokesperson for all women. Just this one time!)

Christmas is two weeks away. This advice likely comes 12 days to early for most men, but hey... I've got a lot to do in the next 2 weeks. Saving your ass at the last minute isn't on my to-do list this year.

So, men... listen up. (You can thank me later.)

1. Don't buy lingerie for us. We know what you want. Lingerie will not help your cause. Vacuuming the living room and taking the kids out while we try to wrap gifts... that MIGHT help.  But seriously, you don't know what size we are, and no teenager working at the lingerie store is going to save the day. Non refundable. Just don't. Seriously.

2. Don't buy a cookbook or frying pan, or humidifier or tool set. Basically...anything that comes from Canadian Tire or Home Dept (except for a new fancy kitchen) is going to fail your attempt as a Christmas gift. Seriously.

3. Don't buy anything that you can fetch from Wal-Mart at 5AM to avoid the Christmas shopping rush. Seriously.

4. Don't buy your wife the same box of Pot of Gold chocolates that you gave your secretary, the bus driver, your kid's teacher, or your ex-wife.  Buying in bulk might save you time, but won't save your ass. Seriously.

5. Don't buy the generic $10 bath set or moisturizer set. OMG, don't you know we spend hundreds of dollars on eye creams, and wrinkle fillers and miracle creams to avoid aging, wrinkling and sagging? If it's not guaranteed, proven to work or on Dr. Oz or Oprah, we don't want it. And even if we want it.... we DO NOT want you to buy it for us. That would just acknowledge you know about the aging, wrinkling and sagging, and you DO NOT want to acknowledge that. Seriously.

6. (Yes, I know it says 5, but I'm on a roll.)  Do not buy my Christmas gift at the liquor store. Yes, I know this is the one shopping trip you look forward to and it's the once-a-year event when you willingly push a cart.... but no. You and your buddies cannot go shopping together and just grab  tequila. Even if it IS  Patron. We see that as an attempt to get us back to the lingerie store.   Seriously.


Disclaimer: This list applies to husbands. Newlyweds and boyfriends might have some luck with #1, 5 or 6. However, #3 & 4 are bad news regardless.  Actually, with the right card, a boyfriend might be able to make a tool belt and cheap slippers into a romantic gift... but husbands should know better. Don't you remember the year you bought the frying pan? Nobody wants to relive THAT again.

Fast Five: Gift ideas

Gift giving can have its challenges whether it's a birthday, anniversary or Christmas. The gift recipient is obviously a special person to you, so a special, thoughtful gift is obviously what you're after.  I have a couple generic suggestions.

1. Support their hobby or sporting interests. New tools, certificates or even a class. If he's into photography, what about a Blacks.ca  certificate for prints or frames? If the recipient is a baker, what about some new silicone tools or commercial cookie sheets. Restaurant supply stores have some really cool stuff for the home chef too.

2. Does she have a coffee habit? Ground coffee to use at home, a stack of t-discs for the tassimo or gift cards for tim hortons/starbucks/local shop.  If you're making up a gift basket (amazing idea for office gift exchanges) make sure to add some syrup or liqueurs as appropriate. Cookies & chocolates too.

3. Restaurant gift cards. Everyone has to eat. Eating out is a treat some folks don't normally have money in the budget for. This is one time I recommend chain/franchises. Your recipient can use it on the road too.

4. I rarely suggest clothes or perfume or makeup as gifts. Those thing are very hard to get right. The wrong scent can be a throw away gift.  Again.... gift card for that kind of thing.

5. Make it personal. Did you share a concert or a game that was amazing? Save the ticket stub? Scrapbook it or frame it or even just return the ticket stub with a personal note sharing your memories.

I've written letters as gifts when $$ was tight. Home-made coupons are great too. Wouldn't your mom love help with the laundry or help with organizing the christmas ornaments after the holiday?  Nothing more precious than the gifts of time & love.

The flame is out

I've think I've lost my urge to travel. I'm sure it's only temporary, but still, this is a weird feeling.

I usually have the next trip planned before the first one is even done. What the heck has happened to me? And the oddest part is that I have travel credits in the bank. My Skymiles account has $2400 of free travel just sitting there designated for our family. Free travel. Free travel!!!! And yet, I can't get excited.

It's not that I've had a bad experience or anything recently. It's not that I've been around the world. I haven't seen everything I want to see. I certainly have not done everything either. I just don't know.

Have I lost my sense of adventure? Has my typical winter depression set in early? Am I lost to myself right now?

There are so many places I haven't been. And yet I have no urge to research.

By this time, I'm usually rabid to have something to look forward to. A Christmas vacation helps me get through our dysfunctional family holiday season. This year.... meh.

I think I've lost my spark. The flame is out.

I may as well just get a puppy and stay home.

Fast Five Travel Tips: Christmas booking time is now

1. Booking in September, for Christmas travel means you should get what you want, for the price you can live with.

2. There are still decent flight times, and flight prices available.

3. Find yourself a hotel haven. Grab a room at the inn, before you're left out in the cold, or on aunt Betty's basement couch.

4. A Christmas vacation is a gift in itself. Your shopping is done!

5. Last minute all-inclusive Christmas vacations are like eating 3 day-old leftovers.... iffy at best. Why take chances with your money, or your memories? Book the vacation YOU want, rather than take what nobody else wants.