Enjoy a sweet and spicy summer with this trio of gourmet spreads: candied jalapeno relish, spicy tomato jam, and charcuterie mustard. These three spreads make the ultimate burger condiments and also work well on a fancy cheeseboard.
Spicy ancho chile, applewood smoked, smashed peppercorn, caesar pleaser… take your dishes (and cocktails!) to another level with these gourmet sea salt blends from Saltwest Naturals. Made from smoked sea salts harvested from Vancouver Island and infused with natural, mouth-watering flavours.
Bring your summer soundtrack everywhere you go with the Sonos Roam! From a backyard patio party to a backwoods camping trip, stream directly via Wifi or Bluetooth, and enjoy all-day battery and waterproof durability.
Bring the bonfire with you! No wood, no embers, no soot! City Bonfires is a portable bonfire, handmade with non-toxic materials by two dads whose jobs were impacted by the pandemic.
Illuminate your outdoor patio or late-evening picnic with this terra cotta citronella candle. A stylish way to add ambient lighting in the evening and keep the bugs away. Bonus: when the candle is finished these clay pots can be repurposed!
In the summertime, there is nothing more satisfying than savouring a fresh slice of a juicy, ripe red tomato or biting into a cool, crisp cucumber โ and itโs even more delicious when that tender vegetable was grown in your very own vegetable garden!
The simple act of nurturing a young plant to fruition is not only good for the environment, but studies show that a connection to nature is a healthy outlet for anxiety, as well as a practical exercise in self-sufficiency.
This summer, whether youโre a novice gardener or a seasoned pro, why not hone your veggie-growing skills by growing your own?
MAKE YOUR BED
Even if you don’t have a lot of time for gardening, you can still have a productive vegetable garden, no matter the size, by starting with a raised bed. Itโs a shortcut to a plentiful harvest, even in the first year. The benefits are many:ย
Garden anywhere! Attractive cedar raised beds are an asset to your landscape. Create perimeter gardens, spice up your entryway, grow food in your front yard, or hide an eyesore.
You can harvest more food in less space. Set plants closer together so that every square inch is productive. Use small-space gardening techniques like succession planting and vertical supports to ensure youโre maximizing the space.ย
You can plant earlier. Excess water drains better and the soil warms up faster in spring compared to in-ground beds. Specialized covers and garden fabric help you get started even earlier.
You can use better soil. A productive vegetable garden depends on good soil. With a raised bed, you start fresh with the ideal soil blend โ even if the soil in your yard is poor.
Youโll see fewer weeds. Because raised beds are densely planted, weeds have little room to grow. And when they do find space, it’s easy to pull them from the loose, rich soil.
Easier pest control. Itโs simpler to manage insects and exclude animal pests compared to long garden rows because you can easily cover beds with row fabrics or specialized covers.
Less bending to tend. Deep root raised beds are 15โ high, so you bend less during planting, caring for, and harvesting plants.
โAlways use untreated wood instead of chemically treated wood or wood ties as chemicals can leech into your vegetables,โ Darla Malcolm-Hauraney, cofounder of The Garden Girls Garden Care, advises. โCedar is the top choice for raised beds because this durable wood is naturally rot-resistant and can last 10 to 15 years. It is also insect-resistant because of oils in the wood.โย
โAlso, fill the bed with great soil,โ she continues. โThe best soil suitable for vegetables includes 50% high-quality topsoil and 30% high-quality homemade or certified compost and 20% organic matter such as composted leaves, vermicompost (worm castings), mushroom compost, mineralized soil blend, ground bark, composted cow or poultry manure, and peat moss.โย
TRY SOMETHING NEW
Time to decide what to plant! Fill your garden with the types of vegetables you like to eat, keeping in mind itโs getting late in the season to plant fruiting vegetables like tomatoes. But if your family loves salad, plant head lettuce, a lettuce cutting mix, cucumbers, and carrots. If you love to cook, plant onions and peppers, leeks, potatoes, and herbs. Try to include at least one vegetable thatโs new to you! See our handy list of Easy Top Ten Vegetables.
โAfter youโve chosen which veggies you want to grow, research planting dates for your location, your site conditions, your soil conditions, spacing for the size planned, and fertilizer needs,โ Darla suggests. โTry to select plants and varieties that are well adapted to environmental conditions in your area, as these are likely to be more vigorous and better able to withstand attack by pests.โย
There has never been a better time to show local businesses some love. The past 16 months have been very hard on tourism-related businesses; as things begin to reopen we encourage residents and visitors to show these businesses some love.
The Local Love Pass allows you to visit 45+ participating businesses and take advantage of specials, discounts, promotions and featured menu items for passholders only. The pass is free to sign up for and once you sign up, you will receive a notification on your cell phone where you can save the passport to your phone. You will then see categories like Play, Stay, Shop, Eat & Drink where you can review the offers. Show the offer when visiting a business and hit redeem; as easy as that!
The Local Love Pass will run all summer long until September 12. Sign up for the Local Love pass on the Tourism Burlington website.
All summer long Tourism Burlington is encouraging residents to โDiscover Your Own Backyardโ and the Local Love Pass allows you to do just that.
“The Local Love Pass helps promote businesses in our city. Some have offered discounts or promos, others have designed a special menu item or featured cocktail. Take advantage of the different offerings and discover something new and local,” says Kelly Harris, Marketing Specialist at Tourism Burlington.
Tourism Burlington is the destination marketing organization for Burlington which operates a visitor information centre, manages tourism engagement within the community and for visitors alike. We market Burlington for its phenomenal attributes including the beautiful waterfront to the South, our scenic escarpment to the North, and vibrant downtown shopping areas.
With secret island escapes, a Caribbean and Pacific coastline, and thriving restaurant scene, itโs no surprise that Mexico is one of the hottest vacation destinations. Seriously, its hot down there. And while many people have been deprived of their ability to enjoy Mexican vacations in the last 18 months, it doesnโt mean that we have to be deprived of authentic (and delicious) Mexican food. Tacos, enchiladas, and margaritas just scratch the surface of Mexican cuisine.
What is often missed in Canada and the United States are the more traditional foods of Mexico. In fact, Mexican cuisine (along with French) has made the UNESCO representative list for the Intangible Cultural Heritage, a fact that many countries are challenging based on their own national pride of their dishes. Mexican food is the first ethnic cuisine to be recognized on this list. Mexican food is not all about burritos, or refried beans with Cheez Whiz, and jalapenos. Hardshell tacos with lettuce and cheddar, although delicious, are not traditional either.
Here are some suggestions of some dishes if you want to enjoy authentic Mexican food at home!
Chalupas are a popular type of street food that resemble tostadas. They are fried thick tortillas topped with salsa, shredded meat, onion, and sometimes cheese.
Chiles en nogada is a popular Mexican dish that signifies the countryโs independence, as the dish is made up of the colours of the flag: red, white, and green. It is a picadillo-stuffed poblano pepper, which is battered and fried and topped with walnut sauce, pomegranates, and parsley.
Mole Poblano is also a very popular dish. The word ‘mole’ could originate from the Spanish translation of the Aztec word for sauce; mulli. Another explanation is that it comes from the Spanish word moler, meaning to grind. Mole is a sauce, often with a long list of ingredients that come in different consistencies and colours. It can contain a variety of ingredients and often has fruit, chili, nuts, and spices. Mole verde is made with pumpkin seeds and green chili.
For an authentic Mexican food experience locally, Pepe and Lelaโs in Burlington has been serving tasty dishes for 23 years. Try the chicken mole made with organic Ontario chicken, and their house-made mole sauce made of dark chocolate, cinnamon, roasted almonds, and sesame seeds. You can also order a bottle of Mexican wine; try LA Cetto Petite Sirah with your meal for the full experience.
Familia Fine Foods in Burlington, founded by Colombian-born couple Luis and Juliana, offers options of burritos or burrito bowls, as well as taco and quesadilla selections. Their meals are traditional and come with all the fixings – from pico de gallo to green tomato salsa. A must-try is also their Tres Leches – a popular Mexican cake. Or if you prefer to dine at home, they have a selection of frozen foods. Try the chicken mole.
Nostalgia Latin Market on Kerr Street in Oakville is a specialist Mexican and Latin American grocer. They sell hard-to-find ingredients to make authentic Mexican food at home, or you can take-out Mexican specialties like chicken tamales and green enchiladas, along with homemade fresh salsas. A tamale is a dish of seasoned meat and maize flour that is steamed or baked in maize husks. They also offer catering and Mexican cooking classes to make sure your techniques are excellent.
For a vast array of cocktails with a Mexican spin, along with appetizers and tacos, head to Burro Tacos in Burlington for a fun night out.
Habanero Taqueria in Oakville has a customized solution for your Mexican meal where you can add in your favourite toppings to any taco, nacho, burrito, or bowl, with options from pulled pork to vegan chili.
Por Vida in Oakville has a huge selection of innovative and traditional Mexican dishes, along with a large cocktail list and a vast choice of Tequila and Mezcal. Although these two drinks may seem similar, both made from the core of the agave plant and both stored in oak barrels, they are distilled quite differently and the resulting spirit has a different taste. Tequila tends to taste smoother and sweeter while mezcal is often more savoury and smokier. The menu features a guacamole selection, a taco bar and a cold bar among other options
From the most traditional foods of Mexico to the Americanโfusion version, there seems to be a little something for every palate to enjoy Mexico at home.
Necessity was definitely the mother of invention when it came to small businesses surviving the pandemic. When the virus hit last year and in-person shopping was suddenly shut down, businesses had to scramble to find new ways to get their products to customers. Some found the solution in subscription boxes, which are filled with an assortment of items and delivered to a customerโs door on a one-time basis or according to a schedule.
The items are typically themed, from goodies for the home to beauty products. When Rustic Daisyโs in Waterdown realized they were facing another year with a pandemic, they decided to create a subscription box with a Canadian-made theme, hence the name – Canada in a Box.ย
As of May 2021, Rustic Daisyโs has two different box options to choose from. The Munchie Box, available quarterly, is filled with items to snack on, cook with, and share. Previous boxes have had shortbread, chocolate smash, cookie mix, and fudge, and will sell for $50, with a retail value of between $85 and $100.ย Just in time for Fatherโs Day, the latest Munchie Box features a mix of gourmet items perfect for a summer barbecue, including: a chicken/rib rub, peach chutney, maple syrup, veggie dip, pickled preserves and more.ย
The second box is TheExperience Box, which contains specialty items perfect for birthdays, wedding party gifts, โthinking of youโ gifts, graduations or just a rainy day. These boxes list for $75 (with an estimated retail value of $90 to $125) and feature a variety of one-of-a-kind handmade items and treats, including cards, bath products, teas, chocolates, fudge, candles, soaps, coffee, coasters, and jewelry.
Rustic Daisyโs owner, Cat McCrimmon, says the subscription boxes are a win-win. Not only do they make for safer shopping, but they also support local businesses. โI love this new brand that we have come up with, and hope to grow it and bring Canadian-made products into everyoneโs home,โ said Cat.
The Community Caring Box, founded in Georgetown, is another example of a subscription box – but this one donates a portion of their profits to a local charity. Each box supports more than 20 business brands.ย
Then thereโs Ruby Crate, a lifestyle subscription box for tween and teenage girls that focuses on beauty items, style, and self-expression. With a tween daughter of her own, Oakville founder Heidi Avery had an ‘aha moment’ when she noticed there was a gap in the market for this generation! Ruby Crate was born to cater to the younger generation’s needs and wants – providing an excellent opportunity to create a new box with fun treasures for our girls that are theirs, and theirs alone. The Ruby Crate arrives four times a year and includes 5-7 unique products ranging from beauty and skin care, cool accessories, tech gadgets, and tasty snacks.ย
The Spark Box, founded by Sara and Mackenzie in Burlington, is specifically for moms and their kids and includes items for newborns and up. Each box is designed mindfully to address age-specific developmental milestones for your child and to include products that help make motherhood just a bit easier. All items target a child’s specific age and developmental stage and also include items for mom, such as lotions.ย ย
The Burlington Downtown Business Association subscription box – #DTBURLBOX – includes hand-selected items from local businesses and was set up to help businesses during the pandemic. Itโs also a way to buy locally. Each box is filled with items from Downtown Burlington small businesses, such as a citronella candle from The Artisanville, sunscreen from Natural Health Garden, nail polish from Waterโs Edge Salon & Spa, and a coupon for one pint of gelato from I Love Gelato.ย Each box is released at the beginning of the month and available on a first-come-first-served basis. Last yearโs boxes were theme-filled, for example, Motherโs Day in May, Fatherโs Day in June, and Backyard Summer Survival in July.
Outdoor entertaining has become a growing trend over the past yearโand with good reason! With more time spent with family at home, our patios, backyards, and balconies have become a wonderfully functional extension of our living space. Perfect for socially distanced visits, they are the ideal spot to gather with loved ones, while still conforming with our health guidelines.ย
We are almost through the worst of our frigid winter, and spring is just around the corner. Many of us will be looking forward to venturing outdoors again, and enjoying some limited social interactions with friends or family. By incorporating a few key design elements, you can create a patio or backyard that is both functional and cozy for outdoor entertaining all year round.
Warm and toasty
Perhaps the most important aspect of entertaining in cooler weather is keeping warm. While Canadians are no stranger to bundling up in winter, introducing a heat source to your space invites people to settle in for conversation and a visit.
Outdoor friendly fireplaces are the quintessential gathering place for cool-weather entertaining. If you donโt have the budget or you dislike the permanence of a built-in fireplace, there are stylish and portable options. Fire pits, chimineas, fire tables, and patio heaters are available in every size, style, and price point. At Oakville Home Leisure, Jeremy Kalapacz notes that this has been their busiest year-to-date. โThe demand for fire pits and patio heaters has been incredible this year!โ he says. โWe are fully stocked for the upcoming season and expect to be just as busy, if not busier this year than last.โ
Wood burning fire pits and chimineas are among the most popular, but there are loads of stylish gas-powered fire tables and pits that are convenient and easy to start.
Gathering with your friends and family around an open-air fire with a warm drink sounds pretty wonderful if you ask us!
Under Cover
With the heat source as your centerpiece, itโs still important that people are comfortable enough to stay for a while. Is there anything more bone-chilling than sitting for hours on a cold, hard chair? โThe furniture we carry is all high end that can last for many years outdoors,โ assures Jeremy. He also notes that a little maintenance goes a long way to preserving the look and longevity of your patio set. โAlthough you donโt have to tarp or cover your furniture, it is good housekeeping to do so.โ Oakville Home Leisure has many options for protective patio coverings that will keep the snow and rain off.
Padded and weather-resistant furniture is a must, but if you prefer the rustic charm of a Muskoka chair, consider draping a sheepskin throw over the back to provide some stylish cushion and warmth.
Adding or adapting an outdoor structure like a pergola is a relatively small project but can provide protection and shelter from the elements by adding a roof. Retractable roofs, plexiglass, or canvas will keep the snow and rain off and also help keep the fire heat contained.
Accessorize!
Creating that cozy hygge atmosphere outdoors requires a little ingenious thinking.
Many plants do well outside in winter, and nurseries like Sheridan have the knowledge to help you choose the right ones. Planters with potted greens such as yew and rosemary, and larger trees like boxwood, cyprus, and evergreens are useful for privacy and blocking a sudden gust of winter wind.
Even with the glow of a fire, additional lighting will make your space feel magical. Strings of fairy lights or strips of solar lighting wrapped around planters immediately warm up the atmosphere. Finally, remember that this space is an extension of your home. Layer winter-friendly textiles the same as you would indoors: decorative pillows, rugs, and sheepskin throws. Having a pile of thick blankets on hand means that people are warm enough to settle in for a longer visit. Offer a warm drink and some sโmores and they might never leave!
The New Year isnโt the only time to make resolutions โ but anytime someone says the word resolution, itโs usually followed by something like this: hit the gym, eat more veggies, take chances, reduce stress, live a healthier life โ you know the drill. Each and every year we craft a list with the intention toย finallyย start living our best life. And each and every year, without fail, we always seem to fall off the wagon.
I think I speak for many when I say that 2020 was the year that changed everything. For many of us, it put life into perspective. Twenty-twenty forced us out of our comfort zones, into stressful situations, and provided the opportunity to learn what truly matters.
Now, in 2021, we have the chance to take this new perspective and act on it. With help from local experts, weโre providing an alternative approach to the typical resolutionโฆ. one that focuses on the mind, the spirit, and the body. We understand fitting into that old pair of jeans is nice โ but how we feel on the inside is what truly counts.
Karen Sue-A-Quan, Pediatric Clinical Care Pharmacist at Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto and Spiritual Life Coach is an Oakville resident and mom. With a special interest in medication that treats anxiety and pain management, Karen has been directly exposed to the mental health implications of COVID-19. As a Clinical Pharmacist and Life Coach, Karen has created a dual role for herself that complements one another โ using science and intuition to help others focus on their soul health.
When it comes to setting goals, Karen says setting goals that are in harmony with who we truly are is key. While it sounds easier said than done, Karen says itโs important to think about the conversations weโre having with ourselves and open our awareness to who we are rather than whatโs projected on us. โEverything we experience shapes us. COVID-19 is providing less physical noise and more time to reevaluate what we want from life โ but the emotional noise from all of this is loud.โ
Karen says things like sleep and nutrition are great for our physical well-being. She stresses โitโs important to make time for joy. Put it at the top of your to-do list โ whether itโs music, nature, conversations, or dancing.โ Learning about new things such as plants, starting a new program, or taking on a new project can also shift our mindset.
Brenda Jasmin, Public Speaker with a B.A. in Psychology is no stranger to changes that a shift in mindset can bring. Through her studies in positive psychology, Brenda has learned that a positive mindset helps with not only mental health but physical health as well. Research has shown that people with a positive attitude are less prone to depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. They also have less stress, better coping skills (especially during times of hardship), and a better overall mood.ย ย
Brenda says, โYou can experience sadness surrounding COVID-19 and still have a positive outlook for the future. Look for the good (we typically look for whatโs negative) and ask yourself what you can be grateful for at this moment.โ No commute, more time with family, and time to explore your neighbourhood trails are just some to consider.ย
As for a well-rounded resolution, Brenda suggests setting time aside to replenish your energy with gratitude, self-compassion, and time to commiserate with friends and family. Brenda says itโs important to find activities that fill you up rather than drain your energy.
Like Brenda and Karen, yoga instructor and life coach, Renรฉe Walker, is passionate about helping people cultivate self-awareness to help to align their energy level and create more peace in their day. Renรฉe says that now more than ever itโs important to disconnect from external noise and simply โbeโ.ย
โI hesitate to talk about resolutions as I prefer to think of them as daily practices that focus on your โbeingโ instead of your โdoingโโ, says Renรฉe. She recommends finding ways to find peace and being present in the moment. โI love the idea of daily ritualsย because they are unique for each person. They can include activities such as meditation, journaling, visualization, a walk outside or simply taking a moment to drink your coffee/tea each morning free ofย distractions.โ This provides an opportunity to begin your day with intention instead of moving straight into a more reactive mode which usually involves giving to others.
If youโre not sure how to get started on this new approach to the resolution, one that focuses on the health of your mind and body โ our experts know just where to start.ย
Karen (karensueaquan.com) runs a class called โSoul Schoolโ which helps people connect with their true self โ Karen stresses that if we understand who we are, our mind will be more at ease and weโll be more likely to achieve whatโs important to us.ย
This January, Brenda (brendajasmin.com) started running an online class called โHappiness Habitsโ, where you can learn how to apply positive psychology tools to your life. Brenda will also be running a corporate program in resilience training.ย
As for Renรฉe (reneewalkerwellness.com), sheโs running a series of mental wellness courses on her website, covering everything from meditation, finding balance, and teaching you how to be accountable to your goals as you honour and make yourself a priority.ย ย
Resolutions should make your lifeย lessย stressful โ so with guidance from these three ladies, kick-off new goals that truly matter to you!ย
Birthdays are special. And when it comes to celebrating a birthday, there isnโt a more monumental way than a birthday party. Over the last year, the traditional birthday has taken a creative twist. From decorated lawns, birthday car parades, and even Zoom parties โ there have been plenty of original ideas to share the love with those we love on their big day. However, when it comes to the little ones in our lives, itโs not always easy for them to understand why they’re blowing out their candles in front of a computer rather than in a bowling alley.ย
But thanks to some clever and innovative businesses, virtual birthdays can be more fun than ever! Here are some of our favourite ways to celebrate:
Take-Home Activities from Chickadee Kids Co.
When Nathan turned 6 in January, there was only one thing he wanted โ a dino-party โ and mom, Lisa, knew just what to do. As the owner of Chickadee Kids Co., Burlingtonโs family toy store, she had access to a variety of toys and activities to help his dream come to life. Lisa created โbirthday bagsโ for friends and family to pick-up and take home the day of the party. In the bags, she included a dig-it-up dino egg to excavate during the call and all of the ingredients to make dinosaur snot (aka slime). Lisa started the party with dinosaur trivia cards and walked the kids through each step of the party together. โWhen we excavated the eggs together, the kids got so excited to show each other the dinosaur they had found in their eggs. It was really fun and felt like we were all together.โ Chickadee Kids Co. has everything from dolls and spaceships to books and loot bags โ and Lisa is there to make recommendations and bring your party to fruition every step of the way.
Get Active with My Gym
My Gym LIVEย brings exciting, customized birthday parties to your home, living room, or backyard. Kids will have loads of fun as they dance, play games, party, and make memories together with LIVE entertainment delivered by an energetic My Gym Party Specialist! Depending on the age of your child, your party will feature captivating activities, games, puppets, songs, and more! Perfect for ages 1-10 years.
Lego Themed Birthday with Snapology
If youโre looking for a unique way to celebrate your childโs birthday, Snapology has a ton of options! This hands-on experience is great for kids who love to tinker and build. Perfect for ages 1 to 14, Snapology engages children using LEGO bricks, KโNex, and technology. While kids are having fun building and chatting with their friends, Snapology sneaks in learning (shhh, donโt tell them itโs educational). Up to 20 kids can join the party via webcam and their Snapologist will lead a themed group activity of the birthday starโs choosing. Themes range from Hello Kitty and Paw Patrol to Star Wars and Fortnite. The options for fun are endless!
The Great Birthday Bake-Off
At this birthday party, you can have your cake and eat it too! MollyCake sells a variety of ready-to-scoop and bake cookie doughs (AND vanilla swiss buttercream icing)! Before the party, drop-off some pre-packaged cookie dough, icing, and sprinkles to your guests. When the party starts, have everyone bring out their baked cookies and decorate them together. Add some games and activities to make the day extra magical!ย
And there you have it! You might be home, but you can still have a memorable celebration.
“Strap on your snowshoes or winter boots and trek along the trails.”
We get it, itโs cold outside, and not everyone likes the cold. A day on the beach or an afternoon on a dock certainly has its time and place. But when you live in Canada, winter always finds its way back. While summer is the perfect season to kick back and relax, winter is the time of year that truly brings adventure. Itโs time to crawl out from under the comforter, turn off that re-run of Schitt’s Creek (though, we do love that all-Canadian show), and hit the slopes โ or the hills โ or the rink.
This year more than ever, itโs time to strap on some boots, put on some gloves, and check these local destinations off your winter bucket list.
At the Royal Botanical Gardens, the gardens and trails are ever-changing. With 27km of hiking trails and nature sanctuaries full of life, there is so much to explore. Strap on your snowshoes or winter boots and trek along the trails. Look for animal tracks along the way, explore indigenous plant use, and keep your eyes peeled for raptors and arctic birds. With so much trail to explore, youโll always see something new.
Winter is a great time to explore Bronte Creek Provincial Park. In addition to their trails which are perfect for a winter hike or snowshoe, there are 5km of cross-country ski trails that loop throughout the park. Deer tracks are often visible in the freshly fallen snow and you may even catch a glimpse of some wildlife โ birds in particular. Winter is one of the best times to bird watch because they’re easier to spot. And for the kids and kids-at-heart, Bronte has a great toboggan hill.
Under the umbrella of Conservation Halton, there are eight parks โ many of which offer winter-specific activities.
Glen Eden (gleneden.on.ca), located in Milton, is a small hill with a big heart. As soon as the frost appears on the escarpment, the snow guns are blowing fresh powder onto the hills. With 15 runs and three terrain park runs, this park is ready for winter fun! The 2020/2021 ski and snowboard season is a go this year with additional safety measures in place (for example, a mask must be worn both indoors and outdoors at all times except for eating or drinking). Reservations must be made in advance and slots are limited to a 4-hour window.
If you love winter, Mountsberg is the place to be. Visitors enjoy blazing their own path when they cross country ski over ungroomed trails. For those who love to strap on a pair of snowshoes and work-up a sweat, the Lakeshore Lookout Trail loop is a great option. Families and couples will also enjoy the Taleโs by a Winterโs Fire program and horse-drawn sleigh rides into the sparkling, snow-covered sugar bush.
Crawford Lake is another great spot for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Conservation Halton staff host Moonlight Guided Snowshoe Hikes and nature brings out all the stops: stars, sparkle, moonshine, and snowy landscape glows. After the hike, get cozy by a fire and drink hot chocolate.
You can also try cross-country skiing on the Pine Ridge Trail. Youโll trek through frosted pine tree plantations while you make your own path. The trail isnโt groomed so youโll warm up during this winter work-out!
All of these locations, along with many other parks in Halton Region, host winter-specific activities and programming. With safety guidelines changing week-to-week, itโs best to check their websites to see if your favourite holiday traditions are still running. Either way, the parks are ready for you to hit the slopes, explore the trails, and become one with winter nature.
Note: Each business listed below has made changes and is taking precautions to ensure customer and employee safety during this time. Please contact the businesses directly to confirm up-to-date products, offers, hours and safety procedures.
Look no further for your holiday gifting needs, because Dove + Arrow has won the Best Local Shopping Talk of the Town Award!
This home decor and crafting store is your one-stop-shop for cute and fun D.I.Y. projects. You can find locally crafted pieces from decoration to jewellery, fashion and even skincare. Walk through their gorgeous collection, shop online for curbside pickup or order delivery this holiday season! They are even shipping to the United States.
For those of you who love to craft, this Kerr Village hot spot carries supplies for D.I.Y. pillow covers, signs, birdhouses, planters and more! They also host digital workshops, so you can enjoy the creativity of a class from the comfort of your home. Youโll also find a healthy supply of FusionTM Mineral Paint for all of your decor design needs.
No matter what youโre looking for, youโll always find something new and innovative at this one-of-a-kind crafting haven.
Looking for ways to support local makers? Take a look at Best Local Shopping runner-up, Makerโs Mojo!
Youโll find clothing, decor, crafting, kitchen, bath and body products with this incredible collection of Canadian-made products in Downtown Oakville. This unique store sells products from small independent makers all over Canada, so you can find the perfect one-of-a-kind present for that special someone this holiday season.
Take the essence of Oakville home with you this winter with Best Local Shopping second runner-up, Lakeside Livinโ!
This Bronte Village mainstay is all about nautical decor! Youโll find cute and stylish cottage creations as well as kitchen (Mudpie), bath, body, Christmas, wedding and baby items. They are also stocked up on NHL masks, so you can support your favourite team while staying safe and comfortable!
