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Get ’em Outside – Backyard Winter Fun

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Despite the cold, winter offers an incredible opportunity for outdoor fun. There is no reason to keep the kids cooped up inside when there are so many great options for playing outside.  Make snow-inspired creations or tasty treats using snow from the backyard – let your imagination run wild in your very own magical winter wonderland.

Backyard Skating

Backyard ice rinks are popular among aspiring NHL stars, figure skaters, and families alike. Custom Ice Inc. in Burlington was founded by former NHLer Dave Gagner, who understands the passion aspiring athletes have. Dave’s goal was to create an opportunity for families to have fun and for athletes to have a space to practice.  He teamed up with engineer Brendan Lenko in 1999 to start a business, and since then, Custom Ice Inc. has built more than 400 custom rinks.

“Dave recognized the need for kids to skate and play hockey in an open and less structured environment – and to just have fun while still improving their skills,” an excerpt from the website reads. “With high demands on municipal hockey arenas, this could only be accomplished by offering the industry newer and more creative ways of constructing ice rinks.”

Custom Ice Inc. also designs indoor arenas, community rinks, and portable rinks, and specializes in refrigerated backyard rinks, keeping rinks frozen throughout the winter.

Build an Igloo

As a former Olympic skier, Eric Villiard has a love for the snow. Taking his passion for winter fun and striving to find a way for kids to build igloos safely, Villiard founded Play Snow.

At the age of ten, an igloo collapsed on young Eric. His father found him crushed under the snow. While Eric’s dad was able to save him, it wasn’t without trauma. The memory of this experience was the inspiration behind Play Snow’s product.

Play Snow is based out of Montréal and sells igloo structures that can hold more than 1,000 lbs of snow, providing the ability to craft the perfect winter hideaway.

The structures are said to be easy to assemble and ship anywhere in Canada.

Frozen Orbs

Give your backyard a pop of colour with frozen orbs. Fill water balloons with water and add drops of food colouring. Next, tie the ends and freeze them overnight in the snow. Once the orbs have frozen, cut the balloon off and enjoy the glistening colour they add to a yard. For smaller and easier frozen orbs, blow bubbles with a bubble wand and watch them freeze mid-air.

Snow Canvas

Let your creative side loose and use snow as a blank canvas. With food colouring or eco-friendly paint, a backyard covered in snow can turn into a colourful art oasis. The art possibilities and winter fun are endless with this activity. Paint pictures on patches of snow, splatter paint across the yard, paint a snowball or igloo for a pop of colour, and so much more.

Taste-Testing Snow

Breaking the rule of “don’t eat snow”, CBC Kids writer Jackie Currie suggests making delicious French vanilla snow cones – using real snow.

Make your snow cones in the backyard or bring snow inside to craft the tasty treat. First, gather eight to 12 cups of snow (Currie says it’s best after a fresh snowfall), then add the snow to a large mixing bowl. Next, pour a teaspoon of vanilla over the snow, add condensed milk, and mix.

Top the tasty treat with chocolate sauces or sprinkles, and enjoy a wintery treat made from scratch.

by Allie Murray

Local Links

Custom Ice Inc.
Customicerinks.com

Play Snow
Playsnow.ca

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Our Coffee Shop and Café List 2019 – The Best of Hamilton

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If you can’t start your day without visiting your local café for a cup of coffee (or almond milk latte) you’re not alone. We have so many great cafés in Oakville and Burlington, but there’s also so many to explore in the surrounding area – and all of them offer something a little different. So why not switch up your routine and check out one of these Hamilton coffee shops? Hamilton has a thriving, unique café and coffee scene, that is sure to ‘perk’ up your day. Whether you’re looking for a new place to meet and catch up with friends, or interested in trying various locally roasted beans, Hamilton has got you covered. Here are some of our favourite independent cafés and coffee shops.

Redchurch Café

68 King Street East | Website

Redchurch Café provides a unique setting for its customers, located on the ground floor of a classic Hamilton building. And, unlike other cafés in the area, Redchurch is an art, coffee, prosecco, and beer café. The café is in partnership with The Assembly Gallery, an artist-run contemporary art co-op. There is always a curated art exhibition within the shop, and they also hold regular art events. It is a perfect spot to hang out and grab some beverages with friends, as you can check out the featured art exhibit at the same time.

Mulberry Street Coffeehouse

193 James Street North | Website

Mulberry Street Coffeehouse provides the Hamilton community with high-quality coffee, mouth-watering baked goods, and a truly unique atmosphere. The building was originally built in 1887 and was converted into a hotel lobby and bar in 1906. In order to keep the history of the building alive, they have maintained the original medallion ceilings. As for their coffee, they only serve fair trade, organic, bird-friendly beverages.  

Salty Espresso

175 John Street South | Website

This Australian inspired café should be on your radar. Salty Espresso provides simple and fresh food to the Hamilton community, as well as offering a beautiful beach-inspired atmosphere that makes it feel like summer. They proudly serve 49th Parallel coffee and tea from Vancouver, who work directly with the farmers who source their beans.

Steel Town Garage Co.

8 Barton Street East | Website

Steel Town Garage Co. is one of a kind in Hamilton. This coffee shop is more than ordinary, as it is also a lifestyle brand and shopping experience. The shop designs its own premium apparel, in addition to serving up amazing specialty coffees and espresso. The shop prides itself on its lack of conformity, providing an atmosphere with loud music and good conversation, perfect for the free spirits out there.

Durand Coffee

142 Charlton Avenue West | Website

Durand Coffee has been around since 2016. The small shop named after the neighbourhood in which it resides was established by Christine Larabie and Chris Redmond. They pride themselves on their quality brewed coffee and offer a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. This coffee shop is located in a converted house and is frequented by the members of the Durand Neighbourhood.

Democracy*

202 Locke Street South | Website

Democracy* is a local ingredient inspired café that is sure to satisfy anyone who walks through their doors. The café makes sure it emphasizes the importance of community in their shop through its inviting atmosphere. They specialize in everything from breakfast to fresh baked goods and scrumptious coffee. Democracy* also proudly features an array of vegan and vegetarian options so anyone can enjoy!

Vintage Coffee Roasters

977 King Street East | Website

Vintage Coffee Roasters is a specialty coffee roastery that provides delicious bold coffee, transparent with where they source their beans, and accessible for everyone. They provide a sense of community within their shop and surrounding community, striving to make positive contributions to Hamilton’s artistic culture. Their café is where they showcase their coffees that they roast fresh every week. Each coffee has its own unique flavour profile, allowing the shop to have a diverse array of coffee to choose from.

Café Oranje

312 King Street East | Website

Café Oranje can be found within Hamilton’s International Village. The café offers locally sourced baked goods that you can enjoy with one of their espresso-based drinks. Café Oranje offers a warm Euro-styled atmosphere that is perfect for anyone to enjoy. While you’re there, make sure to give one of their Dutch treats a try as well!

Smalls Coffee

8 Cannon Street East | Website

Smalls coffee is a petit, all-white, coffee take away spot tucked away from James Street North. The small coffee shop provides artisanal coffee and delectable pastries. The shop sources their coffee beans from Ontario micro-roasters such as Detour and De Mello Palheta.

https://www.facebook.com/smallscoffee/photos/a.1611191985858468/1634294556881544/?type=3&theater

Didn’t see your favourite coffee shop? Submit yours here.

Article Written by Ashley Stefureak

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Best Donut Shops Outside of Toronto

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Donuts, or ‘doughnuts’ depending where you hail from, have been enjoyed for centuries – but it’s really within the past decade that we’ve started seeing artisanal doughnut shops pop up throughout southern Ontario. These aren’t your ordinary doughnuts, either – these are elevated confectionaries that are re-defining their doughy, deep-fried predecessors.

Whether you’re craving a traditionally glazed ring of goodness, or a jelly filled lavender dipped treat, you can’t go wrong with a donut from one of these local shops.

Aveiro Bakery

2530 Sixth Line Unit 12, Oakville | Website

This Portuguese bakery has a wide variety of Artisan breads, pastries, cakes, and tarts made fresh daily. Most importantly, the bakery has an array of different Malassadas, otherwise known as Portuguese Doughnuts. The pastries range in flavours from classic glazed, to cannoli.

Sunshine Doughnuts Co.

439 Brock Ave, Burlington | Website

Sunshine Doughnut Co. lives up to its name of being a warm ray of light. This specialty doughnut bakery was born from the same culinary geniuses behind Son of a Peach Pizzeria. Each doughnut is made in house, fresh daily. The bakery is full of exciting, colourful flavours that are sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.

Kelly’s Bake Shoppe

401 Brant St, Burlington | Website

If you are from, or have been to the Burlington area, you have heard of Kelly’s Bake Shoppe. This Burlington staple is an award-winning bakery that is completely plant-based, gluten free, and peanut free. The mom and daughter run shop prides itself on their fresh made, sustainably sourced goods. Kelly’s menu includes a variety of decadent doughnuts, and regularly introduced seasonal flavours.

Donut Monster

246 Locke Street South, Hamilton | Website

Donut Monster started as a fresh made doughnut supplier for independent coffee shops and grocery stores in 2015. They now have their own shop located in downtown Hamilton, where they make doughnuts seven days a week, fresh. They serve yeast-risen doughnuts that are pillowey soft, and come with numerous glazes and toppings, and introduce seasonal flavours regularly. The shop offers both vegan and traditional options along with different coffees and milkshakes. Donut Monster has also partnered with a number of different small businesses, and provide them with delicious fresh made doughnuts every Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Daddy O Doughnuts

589 North Service Road, Mississauga | Website

Daddy O Doughnuts is a colourful, old fashioned bakery that serves fresh artisanal doughnuts baked in a traditional British style. The bake shop thrives on their family recipes that have been passed down for generations, that are made with only high-quality ingredients. Daddy O Doughnuts does their best to provide their customers with eccentric old fashion doughnut flavours that you wouldn’t be able to find anywhere else, with both regular and vegan options. The bakery has a rotating menu that changes on the daily, but they keep their fan favourites in good supply.

Don’t see your favourite doughnut shop? Contact us and let us know!

Article written by Ashley Stefureak

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The Best Way To Give Is To Give From The Heart

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As a mom of two young boys, I feel I have a special duty in my role as their mother. I want them to experience magic – the kind I did as a little girl. But when it comes to the holidays, we can’t have magic without gratitude. At the ages of three and nearly two, my boys don’t quite grasp the true meaning of the holidays. They understand Santa, they understand their gizmos and gadgets, and they certainly understand the word ‘present’. And while the Christmas magic that comes with those luxuries is a reality for them – it’s not a reality for many individuals within our community, including children.

As my boys grow and experience the holidays, I want them to experience another form of magic my parents entrusted to me – and that’s the magic of giving back. According to the Halton Round Table 2018 Community report, there are 18,700 residents in Oakville and 13,200 residents in Burlington living in poverty. Many of them do not have the opportunity to experience the magic of Christmas – but we can change that. Through charities in Oakville and Burlington, residents like you and me can help provide basic necessities to create magical moments for families across our region.

Here are a few recommendations on where to start:

Kerr Street Mission

485 Kerr Street, Oakville
Kerrstreet.com

Kerr Street Mission in Oakville was created to provide help for the present and hope for the future for all those living in need in Oakville. Besides creating a place for people to gather and find help and resources, the Mission is known for its Christmas Wonders and Beyond Program. For more than 15 years, KSM has rallied the community together to help families in need to celebrate this joyous season. Through financial donations from our community, they have been able to bless over 1,200 families with gifts of food for a holiday meal, pajamas, and gift cards. Their goal this year is to once again help these families have a special and memorable holiday. The Christmas Wonders and Beyond Program runs from November 1st to December 31st.

Be A Santa to A Senior

Beasantatoasenior.com

Be A Santa to a Senior is a true community program. The program, launched by Home Instead Senior Care, partners with local businesses, charities, and volunteers to identify seniors who might not otherwise receive gifts over the holiday season. Home Instead then works with local businesses and retail stores to help facilitate the purchase and distribution of gifts by placing trees and ornaments within their various locations. Volunteers then collect, wrap, and deliver these specials gifts – just as Santa does.

Holiday Giving Program

Compassion Society
Compassionsocietyofhalton.com

The Compassion Society is an organization with over 1,000 clients living on or below the poverty line in Halton. For these individuals, the holidays are difficult and challenging to say the least. Through their Holiday Giving Program, the Compassion Society organizes and offers a Christmas Market where new, unwrapped gifts and retail cards are distributed to adults and children in need. In a tangible way, you can demonstrate your compassion and support to these individuals by donating gift cards or unwrapped gifts by December 9th, 2019.

Toy Mountain

Burlington Salvation Army
Salvationarmy.ca

The Salvation Army Community and Family Services in Burlington hosts an annual Toy Mountain drive. 2019 marks the 24th anniversary of the VTC Toy Mountain Campaign benefiting The Salvation Army – and it’s so easy to make a difference. Simply donate a new, unwrapped toy to their east-end office at 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington. And please do not forget the tweens, teens, and babies. In Oakville and Burlington, The Salvation Army also runs its annual Christmas kettles campaign, which raises money to fund year-round assistance programs offered to local residents. If you see a Salvation Army volunteer with their kettle and bell, drop a few dollars in – anything helps.

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Meet The Chef – Kamoosh Bistro

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Meet Koosh Kahnamoui and Stephen Sankar of Kamoosh Bistro in Waterdown.

You’ve travelled a lot, did you pick up any culinary inspiration abroad?

After working in 2 fabulous restaurants – Hôtel Le Germain and La Société – in Toronto while my girlfriend Kira was finishing her University degree, we decided to take the opportunity to travel.

I was fortunate to explore and learn new culinary techniques and flavour profiles travelling through 8 countries in Asia.

Settling in Australia for over a year, as Chef de Partie in a small bistro in Perth I experienced a passion for scratch cooking with fresh local produce, seafood and meats.  We drove across Australia and I grew my love for Italian cuisine as a Sous Chef in a creative Italian Restaurant on the East Coast.

What brought you back to Waterdown?

Cutting our travel short, I was privileged to spend quality time with my grandmother in her remaining months.

I was excited to learn that in my absence Kamoosh Bistro had been created and I could learn and expand my culinary journey with a restaurant that focused on my own belief of fresh, made from scratch, quality ingredients.

Remaining near my family and hometown of Waterdown was a wonderful added bonus.

Where do you look for inspiration?

Inspiration comes on a daily basis, whether it’s from different cultures, smells, sights – we infuse that inspiration into classic italian recipes. Our mantra has always been that food should have balanced flavours – and simple food tastes best.

Where do you source your ingredients from?

We work with local farms and source special ingredients, like aged balsamic or Parmigiano-Reggiano, directly from Italy. We make absolutely everything in-house. You can tell that it’s been made from scratch.

Visit Kamoosh Bistro

34 Main St N, Waterdown
kamooshbistro.com

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The Dish On Modern Mains – Holiday Turkey and Trendy Sides

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As the holiday season approaches and temperatures begin to drop, many of us look forward to the comfort of a traditional home-cooked holiday meal – steaming golden turkey, with mash, gravy, and of course the family stuffing recipe. Many families have holiday recipes passed down for generations, creating special legacies and remembering those gone before.

Variations on timeless classics can shake things up a bit. In a new trend, we see creative cooks heading to the barbecue to make their turkey. A barbeque can cook a turkey to perfection (be sure to use a meat thermometer) and has the bonus of leaving the indoor oven free for other dishes. Try Florence Meats on Speers Road in Oakville for your holiday fare, from the turkey to ham, and the wide selection of sausages for stuffing. Dietrich’s Meat and Denninger’s are other great options. Or, you could consider farm-to-table fare by ordering straight from Hayter’s Farm. Harry Hayter added turkeys to their product selection in 1948, and they have been supplying birds ever since. Hayter’s is the only turkey farm in Canada that raises birds and processes them on-site, and their turkeys are free-range and raised without hormones.

A turducken has also recently been gaining popularity. It is a deboned chicken stuffed into a deboned duck, stuffed into a deboned turkey. It’s super easy to cook and carve, and looks visually impressive. There are also variations within the turducken theme from bacon-wrapped to stuffed with chorizo, or chicken and apple.

 Turkey stuffing can vary greatly, usually with a base of bread, but flavoured with anything from chestnuts, sausage meat, caramelized onion, cranberry, apples, or mushrooms. Many people skip the turkey altogether and just enjoy stuffing as a main dish. A bacon-wrapped sage and sausage stuffing can be beautifully presented as a terrine and served with all the regular sides. The stuffing can be served in individual muffin cups, making for easy service. Cranberry and sage stuffing muffins look impressive and have the bonus of being crispy on top. Cornbread stuffing with sausage and fennel is another innovative option or even tortilla chip chorizo stuffing for a Tex-Mex version.

 However, plant-based and vegetarian solutions are where the real innovation in the holiday meal comes about. The meal solutions are so delicious, even the most committed meat-eater will be salivating.

A vegan or vegetarian gravy can be made simply and slathered all over vegan mashed potatoes. Jamie Oliver has a wonderful gravy recipe using onion, carrot, celery, porcini mushroom, herbs, tomato paste, and vegetable stock amongst other things. This version is healthier and more flavourful than the traditional counterpart. An even simpler solution combines blended mashed potato, almond milk and dried porcini mushroom. Or, you could try something a bit more exotic with a base of coconut milk, dark soy, and garlic.

 If your goal is a plant-based holiday meal, the ideas are endless. A fun idea is to stuff mini pumpkins with anything from vegan chili to roasted eggplant and serve them with their lids on for a huge visual appeal. Jumbo pasta shells can be filled with a lentil ragout and drizzled with rich tomato sauce and Parmesan, or a cheese alternative. There is even the option of a butternut “turducken” stuffed with eggplant and zucchini. Visually appealing, healthy, and cutting edge culinary cool.

 Tofurky has become popular as a plant-based turkey option and will soak up all the delicious sauces and gravies.

 There are so many options available that even the pickiest family member can be catered for – and there is so much fun to be had experimenting with new things in the kitchen. Dig in and happy eating! 

by Jenny Ratcliffe-Wright

Local Links

Florence Meats, Oakville
Florencemeats.com

Dietrich’s Meat, Oakville
Dietrichs.ca

Denninger’s, Burlington & Oakville
Denningers.com

Hayter’s Farm, Dashwood
Haytersfarm.com

Deboer’s Poultry, Burlington
Deboersfarm.com

Organic Garage, Oakville
Organicgarage.com

Whole Foods Market, Oakville
Wholefoodsmarket.com

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Holiday Gift Guide
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Look Local’s Favourite Things – Holiday Gift Guide

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Fairhome Interiors

Sip hot cacao from a hand-painted Emma Bridgewater Mug, available in different patterns and colours.
Fairhome.ca
2289 Fairview Street, Burlington 

Lakeside Livin

An adorable addition to your holiday table. These festive salt and pepper shakers will bring out the holiday spirit in everyone.
Lakesidelivin.com
100 Bronte Road, Oakville

C’est Naturel

Sometimes a touch of texture is the best accessory. This soft, sophisticated cape will keep you wrapped in style (and warmth) all winter long.
Cestnaturel.store
3300 Fairview Street, Burlington

Core 1

Rock around the Christmas tree with Sonos, the ultimate wireless home sound system that fills your home with brilliant sound, room by room.
Core1.ca
249 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville

Tundra leather

The perfect gift for someone special. Beautiful 100% leather toiletry bag, hand-made in Hamilton. 
Tundraleather.ca
313 King Street East, Hamilton

Bogart Home and Décor Consignment

Whether you’re looking for the perfect ring for the perfect person, or simply a unique accessory, designer Erin Tracy has something for every style.
Bogarthome.com
2448 Lakeshore Rd W, Oakville

LL Bean

Luxuriously comfortable, these slippers are made of superior sheepskin to keep your feet warmer on chilly mornings.
Llbean.ca
Oakville Place, 240 Leighland Ave, Oakville

Creative Insight Pottery

Give the gift of experience. A romantic gesture or fun with a friend – let your creative side run wild with a pottery class.
Creativeinsightpottery.com
23 Main Street South, Waterdown

Goodnight Goodmorning

Slip into something a little more comfortable this holiday season. Cozy and stylish, these jammies are available at Goodnight Goodmorning
Goodnightgoodmorning.ca
100 Bronte Road, Oakville

Burlington Museum

Made in Burlington! The perfect way to announce your special news – an adorable, gender neutral, onesie.
Museumsofburlington.ca

Casual Gourmet

Show your kitchen some love with premium cookware for your holiday feast.
Casualgourmet.ca
1027 King St W, Hamilton

Laura Tedesco

Shine bright like a diamond with this 14k Rose Gold Diamond Ring with a Sorbet Sapphire. Custom designed by Laura Tedesco.
Lauratedesco.com
195 Locke St S #1, Hamilton

Graham & Brooks

It’s not the holiday season without holiday sweaters – even if it’s for your wine bottle.
Grahamandbrooks.com
43 Cootes Drive, Dundas

Tocca Finita

These beautiful earrings are exclusive to Tocca Finita. Available in silver, gold, or two-tone. Crafted by local Jewellery designer, Jenny Bird.
toccafinita.ca
315 Lakeshore Road East, Oakville

Zahara’s Boutique

Make a statement with this stunning silk scarf. Truly one-of-a-kind with wool patterns felted in.
Zaharasboutique.com
321 Cornwall Rd, Oakville

Finger Print Jewellery by Mariel Pagliai

A perfect gift for family or friends.
Custom hand-made silver charms
to match your loved ones.
Marielpagliai.com

Town Square Gallery

Elegant, stylish, and whimsical – this bronze frog crafted by world renowned artist Tim Cotterill is the perfect addition to any art collection.
Townsquaregallery.com
94 George Street, Oakville

Rustic Daisy’s

For coffee, drinks, Champagne or cocktails – these tumblers are the perfect stocking stuffer for the mom on your list.
Rusticdaisys.ca
25 Main Street South, Waterdown

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Downtown Oakville’s 12 Days of Giveaways!

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Shop and win at Downtown Oakville’s 12 Days of Giveaways!

Christmas is coming early to Downtown Oakville! From December 5 to 16, the Downtown Oakville Business Improvement Area (BIA) will be surprising randomly selected shoppers by covering the cost of their entire purchase. During our 12 Days of Giveaways, we’ll be giving away a total of $10,000, plus additional giveaways of items from our Holiday Gift Guide. Come armed with your Christmas list and keep an eye out for Santa’s elves, as we’ll be roaming throughout the Downtown waiting to surprise you.

“Twelve Days of Giveaways is our way of saying thank you to this amazing community for supporting the businesses of Downtown Oakville throughout the Lakeshore Road Revitalization Project,” says Sharlene Plewman, Executive Director of the Downtown Oakville BIA. “We look forward to seeing you throughout the newly reopened Lakeshore Road over the holiday season.”

For more information please visit oakvilledowntown.com or our Facebook page facebook.com/downtownoakville.

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Shine Bright Like A Diamond – Holiday Curb Appeal

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The holiday season is just around the corner, and with it comes the hustle and bustle of decorating our homes.  From festive plates and glittery glassware to cherished family heirlooms, we all have that special something that brings the holidays alive. While we tend to spend most of our time trimming our tree, decking the halls, and hanging stockings with care, the best place to showcase our holiday spirit is outside the home. “Outdoor holiday lighting adds so much to a home,” says Don McQueen, president and owner of Christmas Décor in Oakville. “During the holiday season, as the days become shorter and the nights become longer, people go to work and come home in darkness. By adding festive lighting, it can brighten someone’s day. Every time I turn onto my street and see my house lit up, it gives me an instant lift.”

To get the best curb appeal, Don says there are three key spots you should be decorating:

Always a classic is rooftop lighting. Decorating your roof with greens and reds, or simply a snowy-white glow is a wonderful way to make your home shine. There are a variety of string lights available in both LED and incandescent. LED is the most cost-effective due to its high efficiency. Over the last few years, the trend has strayed from large, colourful bulbs popular in the 90s to mini-lights and hanging icicles. String lights offer twinkle, ambiance, and warmth to a typically cold winter night – an enjoyable sight for anyone passing by.

During the day, however, string lights lose their allure. Adding daytime décor to the porch and centre of the home, such as over the front door or garage, extends a warm invitation to visitors. Focus on decorating entrances with garlands and wreaths, or even throw a cozy blanket over a rocking chair. Incorporate festive planters filled with winter blooms, plaid ribbons, rustic wood, and lanterns to tie it all together.

Lastly, decorating your walkway, gardens, and lawn adds focus to the landscape and maintenance of the property. While we can’t see your green thumb under the piles of snow, you can bring your lawn to life with animated decorations. Holiday inflatables have become a hot-ticket item as they’re easy to use. Pathway lighting along sidewalks and driveways is another bright decorating idea. You can also dazzle with a light show, put on by projector lights and spotlights,many of which work with smartphones.

From a decorating perspective, Don recommends tackling all three focal points to get the most curb appeal.

With the inspiration of Pinterest, it’s easy to convince ourselves that we can tackle Griswold-level decorating all on our own. However, there’s a good chance you have a memory or two of your father climbing up an old rickety ladder (in a snowstorm) with a giant plastic Santa on his shoulder – DIY isn’t always as it seems.

“We’re trained to work with heights and trained in ladder safety,” says Don. “We have liability insurance and are covered by WSIB. By hiring someone, you remove the danger factor.”

Photo courtesy of Festive Décor, Burlington

Something else to consider is storage and takedown. Doing it yourself usually entails buying, hanging, taking down, and storing all of the decorations yourself. Jamie Roy, owner and operator of Festive Décor in Burlington, says that by hiring professionals, there is no need for decoration takedown and no need to worry about storage. This means you can take your lights down long before it warms up in the spring. “Your colour and style can be changed from year-to-year as opposed to store-bought lights,” adds Jamie. Lighting quality also varies depending on if you use a professional or choose to buy your own. The lights used by the pros are brighter and more durable than what can be found in hardware stores.

Whether you are tackling this year’s lighting job on your own or relying on a professional to do it, make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to get the job done. Professional bookings fill up quickly and bad weather can get ahead of DIY plans. Create a true winter wonderland  this year! 

by Victoria Jones

Local Links

Christmas Décor
Christmasdecor.ca

Festive Décor
Festivedecor.ca

Happy Holiday Décor
Happyholidaydecor.com

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December A Time Of Celebration For All

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December is a wonderfully holy time of year with several religious holidays throughout the month. People of all faiths and nationalities have something special to celebrate.

The Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe 

December 12th is the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe which is observed by Catholics, especially those of Hispanic descent. The story of Guadalupe dates back to the year 1531 when it’s said a native Mexican peasant named Juan Diego experienced a vision of a young woman at a place near to what is now known as Mexico City.

There are many ways to celebrate this holiday, by eating festive foods, such as gorditas, and bringing roses into one’s home – a tradition that’s important because Our Lady is said to have presented Juan Diego with roses.

Hanukkah 

Hanukkah is an eight-day wintertime Jewish Festival of Lights which is celebrated from Dec. 22 to 30. The celebrations begin at sunset and in honour of the holiday, eight candles are lit on a menorah. The tradition comes from the story that there was only enough oil to light a Temple lamp for one day, but the flame burned for eight.

During Hanukkah, a typical Jewish household will likely celebrate with specific foods, such as latkes, and light the menorah once per night for eight nights. Special prayers are also recited.

Yule 

Yule is celebrated on December 22 by Germanic peoples around the world who celebrate the Winter Solstice. Yule is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and is the ancient name in the Germanic lunar calendar for a winter festival corresponding to December and January.  Yule is a festival which refers to the 12-day holiday associated with the Feast of the Nativity.

Christmas

Next, we come to a holiday that’s celebrated by millions around the world. Christmas is celebrated on December 25th because that date is recognized as the birth-date of Jesus Christ. While the religious holiday has been observed by Christians since the Middle Ages, it is also widely celebrated by millions of non-Christians around the world. The holiday has grown to include many fun traditions, such as a red-suited fellow named Santa Claus who scurries down chimneys laden with presents.

Kwanzaa

December 26 is the starting date for Kwanzaa, a week-long, African-American and Pan-African celebration of family, community, and culture. Introduced in 1966, it was named for the time of year when African tribes celebrated the first harvest of crops. Some people who celebrate Kwanzaa believe the festival has a spiritual overtone because of its emphasis on faith.

Bodhi Day

January 2, 2020, commemorates Bodhi Day, a Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama, experienced enlightenment. (Buddha means “awakened one.”) It is also known as bodhi in Sanskrit and Pali.

Siddhartha Gautama is said to have vowed to sit under a peepal tree, a popular sacred fig tree, found in what is now Bodhgaya, India. According to tradition, Siddhartha meditated until he found the root of suffering and discovered how to liberate himself from it. He did not rise until he was enlightened.

Bodhi, which is also spelled Bodie or Bode, is synonymous with the state of nirvana – being freed from hate, greed, and ego. The day is observed by many mainstream Mahayana traditions who celebrate by decorating a ficus tree with beads, coloured lights, and ornaments that represent the three jewels: Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Others mark the holiday by meditating and visiting shrines that serve special cookies shaped like Bodhi trees or heart-shaped leaves.

While these aren’t all of the cultural celebrations that take place in December (there are a total of 14), these holidays provide a look into the way many of our friends and neighbours celebrate the holidays. Whether you’re lighting your menorah, singing carols under a Christmas tree, or feasting on gorditas – we wish you the happiest of holidays.

by Denise Davy

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