holidays

Set the Perfect Holiday Table with Flowers from Teleflora

December 18, 2017 by Kathryn 2 Comments

Christmas day is exactly one week away and that means most people have probably done their shopping for presents (or most of it!), their Christmas baking and their planning of the big holiday meal. But something that might not have been considered is the centerpiece for the holiday table.

Luckily, Teleflora has all kinds of beautiful holiday flowers that will help dress up a dining table in a flash. From bouquets with Thomas Kincaid figurines to greenery-adorned candle holders to adorable miniature Christmas trees, you’re sure to find the perfect flowers for your Christmas table. [Read more…]

Get Festive with Tasty New Seasonal Treats at McDonald’s Canada

December 5, 2017 by Kathryn 1 Comment

December is here and that means I am in full holiday mode! The tree is up, our new house is strung with lights and I’ve already dressed up Baby Cormac in a sweet Christmas outfit. But the holidays aren’t just about the decorations for me. They’re also about the food! And McDonald’s Canada has introduced some delicious festive menu items that I couldn’t wait to try.

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Prep Your Family for Holiday Travel with Netflix Downloads

November 28, 2017 by Kathryn 1 Comment

With the holiday season fast approaching, I’m sure that our family isn’t the only one that’s planning some travel to visit relatives in other areas. And even though I’m excited about taking Baby Cormac to spend Christmas with his grandparents, I’m also bracing myself for the inevitable hassles and hurdles of flying with three kids.

And it doesn’t help that available services and entertainment on airplanes continue to dwindle. Many of our recent flights haven’t had in-seat entertainment, leaving my boys to get quickly restless on longer flights. Paying for Wi-Fi is usually an option, but with current flight costs, I don’t want to spend even more just to keep my boys occupied!

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Let Kids Create Holiday Magic with the Crayola Magic Scene Creator-Giveaway

November 24, 2017 by Kathryn 115 Comments

When it comes to finding the best Christmas gifts, choosing presents that inspire creativity is a must for me. And that’s why, year after year, I’ll find myself choosing the newest products from Crayola. From simple crayons and markers to fun art gadgets like the Crayola Air Marker Sprayer we reviewed last year, I can always count on Crayola to inspire my boys’ imaginations.

This year, we were given the chance to review the Crayola Magic Scene Creator. This clever portable art device gives my boys the chance to create all kinds of pictures, stories and scenes that come to life with the push of a button. The screen has an innovative light that, when switched on, turns the included Motion Cards into roaring dragons, swimming fish, sparkling stars and more! [Read more…]

Introduce Kids to a Timeless Tale with the Charlotte’s Web Limited Edition Gift Set-Giveaway

November 7, 2017 by Kathryn 83 Comments

As a parent, I think there’s nothing better than introducing my children to something I once loved and seeing them embrace it with as much joy as I did. From classic movies to favourite books to tasty candy treats, I feel like I’m reliving a little of my own childhood every time I can share a piece of my youth with my boys.

That’s why I’m so excited about the Charlotte’s Web Limited Edition Gift Set I received to review. This set contains a copy of the original book and the 2006 live-action children’s movie on DVD, just in time for holiday gift giving. Here’s a brief synopsis of the story:

The classic story of loyalty, trust, and sacrifice comes to life in this live-action adaptation. Fern (Dakota Fanning) is one of only two living beings who sees that Wilbur is a special animal as she raises him, the runt of the litter, into a terrific and radiant pig. As Wilbur moves into a new barn, he begins a second profound friendship with the most unlikely of creatures – a spider named Charlotte – and their bond inspires the animals around them to come together as a family. When the word gets out that Wilbur’s days are numbered, it seems that only a miracle will save his life. A determined Charlotte – who sees miracles in the ordinary – spins words into her web in an effort to convince the farmer that Wilbur is “some pig” and worth saving. [Read more…]

The Hyundai Santa Fe Sleigh is Spreading Holiday Cheer to Deserving Children

December 21, 2016 by Kathryn 1 Comment

There’s no doubt that the holiday season is the most magical time of the year, but even the most passionate holiday fan can sometimes get a little worn out and disillusioned with the whole event. That’s why this year, Hyundai Canada teamed up with the king of holiday spirit, Santa Claus himself, to bring good wishes and cheer to some of those who deserved it most: Children in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Toronto program!

Riding safely and comfortably in his brand new Hyundai Santa Fe Sleigh, complete with a reindeer and a wooden sleigh on the roof rack, Santa and his elves paid a personal visit to the children and delivered a special gift from each child’s wish list. Of course, arriving at his destination safely was no trouble for Santa in the Santa Fe Sleigh, and the children couldn’t have been more excited to see his fancy new ride!

Whether you’ve been having trouble embracing the holidays this year or you just want to add even more magic to your season, watching this video of children meeting Santa in person and receiving their gifts is sure to have you beaming from ear to ear. Check it out below and see St. Nick delivering smiles and happiness in Toronto!

I love that Hyundai Canada found such a fun and unique way to celebrate the true meaning of the holiday season and I’m sure that the lucky children that met Santa Claus in person will remember the experience for the rest of their lives. Long after the gifts they received have been outgrown, each and every child will still have the memory of being so special that Santa came to visit them in person to let them know they were important. Empowering children to believe in magic and in themselves…what an amazing way to celebrate the spirit of the holidays!

The De’Longhi Coffee, Espresso and Cappuccino Combination Machine is One Machine that Does it All-Giveaway

December 17, 2016 by Kathryn 179 Comments

One of the very few downsides of loving coffee as much as I do is that I tend to have way too many different devices for brewing that perfect cup. From single-serve machines to drip brewers and everything in between, my love of fancy coffee drinks means I’m either constantly moving different brewers in and out of my cupboard or I’m losing all my counter space to multiple appliances.

But just in time for holiday entertaining, De’Longhi has come to my rescue with a brand-new solution that lets me brew all my favourite drinks with one space-saving device! The De’Longhi BCO330T Combination Machine is a combination drip brewer and espresso/cappuccino machine that lets me choose between brewing a pot of coffee, whipping up a restaurant-worthy gourmet beverage or both, any time I like! [Read more…]

Send a Message To Someone You Love this Holiday Season with UPS Canada

December 12, 2016 by Kathryn 15 Comments

For the most part, I’m pretty lucky to have my loved ones close when the holidays roll around. One of my sisters lives in the same city as me, while my other siblings and my mother are only about a two-hour drive away. Each year, we pick a day shortly after Christmas to meet and enjoy some gift exchanges, food and conversation while the cousins get some playtime with one another. But my husband’s family is another matter.

Jeremy was born and raised just outside Barrie, Ontario, and almost all his family and extended family are still in the area. We’re very close to his family members and luckily, we usually see his parents at least two or three times a year. But his brothers, grandparents and other relatives are another story. And during the holidays, we always miss having them close by. [Read more…]