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Canada Holidays

Ready For 2013? Mark Your Calendar With These Designated Days

CP | Sheryl Ubelacker, The Canadian Press | Posted 02.26.2013 | Canada Living

TORONTO - So, the New Year is upon us, and that means a pristine new calendar with all those blank squares just waiting to be filled.But while scribbl...

There's No Christ In My Christmas

Rachel Ryan | Posted 02.24.2013 | Canada
Rachel Ryan

I have been affirmatively opposed to organized religion since about the age of 14. But I love Christmas. It's magical. As you can imagine, this is often a point of contention in debates: "Christmas wouldn't be here if it weren't for Christ, so how can you say 'religion poisons everything'?" they ask me. if you want to "keep Christ in Christmas," by all means, set up your Nativity scene and go to midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. It's a free country. I, along with the increasing number of non-Christians, will be by the fire, glass of wine in-hand, listening to some Nat King Cole.

Will Your Kid Be Polite This Christmas?

Minnow Hamilton | Posted 02.22.2013 | Canada Living
Minnow Hamilton

Welcome to the holiday season, prime time for showing off your kids' manners (or lack thereof). Remember that sharing and saying "thank you" (even when they don't like the gift) are learned behaviours. Here are our 10 secrets that we hope will bring some civility to your next family fete.

Elf-On-the-Shelf and Other Lies We Tell Our Kids

Yummy Mummy Club | Posted 02.16.2013 | Canada Living
Yummy Mummy Club

I am of the mind that parenting, when done correctly, involves delicately hopping over the line between imaginative play and outright deception. But man, does this time of year challenge even me. I'm not saying parents shouldn't indulge in the Yuletide traditions, old and new. But at this point, I'm not sure about how to handle the Santa thing once the hard questions come.

How to Stay Healthy at Your Holiday Party

Jason Tetro | Posted 02.16.2013 | Canada Living
Jason Tetro

2012-05-28-GermGuyBanner.jpg The holiday party is a tradition of the season. Thanks to germs, however, some of those memories may be less than pleasant. Infections are best spread in a crowd and the presence of a single person can lead to spread to some or all of the people in attendance. There are however, a few ways to minimize the chances for acquiring an infection and most are fairly easy to follow.

Taking The Stress Out Of Work Christmas Parties

Sue Jacques | Posted 02.10.2013 | Canada Alberta
Sue Jacques

Most of us have a love/hate relationship with the whole concept of "Secret Santa" parties at work. We love getting good swag but hate having to come up with something fabulous to buy. Standing in a store during the busiest time of year and agonizing over our contribution can be distracting, to say the least.

Five Ways to Holiday Shopping Salvation

Karen Cleveland | Posted 02.09.2013 | Canada Living
Karen Cleveland

A daunting shopping list, annoying music at full volume, crowds of people walking with their heads down texting...welcome to the fresh hell that is holiday shopping. The stress of shopping can make even the most festive, patient person want to start throwing elbows, but some of the trauma can be curbed with these five tips.

A Gaming Gift Guide For The Young (And Young At Heart)

The Huffington Post Canada | Joshua Ostroff | Posted 12.11.2012 | Canada Living

Aging gamers, including myself, like to boast that the average gamer age is 30 and climbing. But that doesn’t mean games can’t still be child’s ...

Stylish Gifts For The Women In Your Life

The Huffington Post Canada | Sarah Kelsey | Posted 03.11.2013 | Canada Style

It appears, last-minute shopping for the holidays is still a man's game. According to recent research, "9.7 per cent of men says they expect to finish...

Couples Work: How to Survive Holiday Gift-Giving

Liza Finlay | Posted 02.08.2013 | Canada Living
Liza Finlay

Last Christmas, my best friend's spouse bought her a pair of furry, leopard panties -- size XXL. He's never lived it down. But even that unfortunate purchase is eclipsed by a gift one of my clients received from her mate: a pair of nose-hair clippers, sent, with love, from "The Nose Hair Fairy." For many couples, gift-giving is a minefield of potential conflict.

How I Became a Walking Latke

Amanda Riva | Posted 02.08.2013 | Canada Living
Amanda Riva

My mom would make Latkes once during the eight days of Hanukkah and she would schedule it on the calendar so that she was fully prepared. When I would wear my coat the next day to school my locker, my hair, my book-bag and me would smell like these potato pancakes. I was basically a walking latke.

Unusual Christmas Traditions Around The World

The Huffington Post Canada | Posted 01.03.2013 | Canada Travel

He may be fictional, but when it comes to travel, Santa Claus sets the bar pretty high. He may not get out to see the world much, but when he does...

The Wonderful Wildlife in Your Backyard

Ben Barker | Posted 02.04.2013 | Canada
Ben Barker

If you were asked to imagine a place on Earth where you could view incredibly varied wildlife in its natural habitat, likely places which come to mind are Africa or the Amazon Rainforests. However, many people may not be aware that Canada is also home to a wide range of wildlife that is just as diverse and interesting as anywhere else in the world.

Turns Out Empathy is Contagious

Liza Finlay | Posted 01.30.2013 | Canada Impact
Liza Finlay

Empathy is part of our anatomy. It's just that, like a muscle, it needs to be flexed. What this means is that we are wired for compassion, for caring, for connection. As children scratch out long holiday wish lists, parents have an unparalleled opportunity for empathy training. This time of year provides tremendous teaching moments. Here are a few:

The Staple Ingredient You Eat 73 Pounds of a Year

Amanda Riva | Posted 01.29.2013 | Canada Living
Amanda Riva

As one of the most consumed ingredients on the planet the potato can be used in an endless amount of dishes and literally enjoyed all year 'round. Sometimes the vast amount of varieties can seem daunting. When faced with hundreds of choices, which to choose? Here's a fool-proof guide to deciphering the qualities of these types so you'll be a potato-pro during your next trip to the supermarket!

'Twas The Night: Where Style, The Season And Charity Meet (LOOK)

Kait Kucy | Posted 01.28.2013 | Canada Alberta
Kait Kucy

What an incredible evening was had at The CORE Shopping Centre's 'Twas The Night Private Shopping Party! The downtown Calgary mall was chockful of incredible music performances, fashion shows, pyrotechnics and most importantly, amazing deals at many of the shops.

Savvy and Original Holiday Cards

Minnow Hamilton | Posted 01.23.2013 | Canada Living
Minnow Hamilton

Don't panic. It's still early enough to get organized with your annual Christmas cards. We know you want your beautiful family to stand out from the rest. That's why we rounded up a list of the 18 Best Holiday Cards. It won't take long to find something fabulous and original -- just for you.

Gifts For Runners: What To Buy For The Long-Distance Lover On Your List

Get Out There Magazine | Marissa Schroder | Posted 11.21.2012 | Canada Living

By Marissa Schroder, Publisher of Get Out There Magazine Love a runner? Give them a gift this holiday season to help fuel their active lifestyl...

Five Ways to Practice Gratitude

Brant Secunda and Mark Allen | Posted 01.20.2013 | Canada Living
Brant Secunda and Mark Allen

Once a person internalizes what it means to be grateful, fresh opportunities pop up, barriers to change disappear, and new relationships become possible. Here are five ways to learn and practice gratitude.

I'll Admit it: I Use Santa to Keep the Kids in Line

Samantha Kemp-Jackson | Posted 01.19.2013 | Canada Living
Samantha Kemp-Jackson

I've been using the power of Santa Claus for a few weeks now, and things are looking good. For maximum effectiveness, the use of Santa and his omnipresence is good for the window directly following Halloween until December 25. During this time, I enjoy the increased attentiveness, dearth of meltdowns and general calm that precedes Christmas day.

There Are Still Deals To Be Had! Here's What's Up For Cyber Monday

The Huffington Post Canada | Sarah Kelsey | Posted 03.11.2013 | Canada Style

Black Friday: two words have never sounded so sweet to shopaholics and deal lovers. And come this Nov. 23, malls across Canada (and many an e-comme...

How Many Canadians Are Shopping Online This Season?

The Huffington Post Canada | Posted 11.16.2012 | Canada Living

It seems like Canadians are skipping the long line and heading right to their keypads and mouse this holiday season. According to a recent survey ...

Are Any of 2011's Hottest Gift Ideas Worth Recycling?

The Huffington Post Canada | Annette Bourdeau | Posted 11.15.2012 | Canada Living

Recycling gifts is universally frowned upon. Recycling gift ideas, on the other hand, is just plain smart. After all, many of last year's hottest gift...

34 Savvy Toys for the Holidays

Minnow Hamilton | Posted 01.14.2013 | Canada Living
Minnow Hamilton

We're not going to lie, being a parent is tough work. But there are lots of perks -- like those sweet sloppy kisses and trips to the toy store. Every. Year. Have fun getting started on your holiday toy list with our 34 Hot Toys for the Holidays.

What Men And Women Really Want To Be Gifted This Season

The Huffington Post Canada | Sarah Kelsey | Posted 03.11.2013 | Canada Style

Finding the perfect gift for a loved one, even when you know what you're entering a store for, is hard. You have to contend with crowded parking lots,...