LEARNING TO SKATE

 

This winter Monkey is learning how to skate. He is thrilled with his new hockey skates. One evening during the holidays we took him to a neighbourhood ice rink to practice. It was a true Canadian winter experience with falling snow, chilly air, an early dark sky, kids playing hockey and a toboggan ride along snow-covered sidewalks. And Monkey's favourite part? Falling down and making snow angels on the ice of course! 

HOLIDAY TRADITIONS

Ever since Monkey was born, I've been cognizant of establishing family traditions. It's important to me that we create lasting traditions to cherish together now and in the future. The holidays are no exception as this is a time filled with tradition. 

On Christmas Eve, my family comes together to celebrate with a delicious meal and to exchange gifts. Santa stuffs our stocking that night. Each year my mom gives me a beautiful tree ornament -- a tradition that started at my first Christmas and one that has helped me decorate our tree with special ornaments. This is one small tradition I'm passing along to my kiddos. 

On Christmas Day, we head to my husband's side of the family for a morning gift exchange, an afternoon winter walk and another fancy feast.

We are truly fortunate that our two families live so close. It has been a seamless melding of our two holiday celebrations. I'm excited for our new little family to create our own lasting holiday traditions in years to come.

Do you have any special traditions that you share with your family for the holidays?

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DESIGN INSPIRATION: WINTER WREATHS

From boxwood and magnolia leaves to red berries, fresh balsam fir and even moss, a simple natural wreath makes quite an impact this season.

(Images from top left 1 / 2 / 3 / 4)

ACTIVITY ADVENT CALENDAR

As a kid, I used to savour the little pieces of chocolate in my advent calendar every morning in the lead up to Christmas. I was eager to start this tradition with our family this year, but I was not keen on giving Monkey a daily dose of extra chocolate so I was happy to stumble on this activity advent calendar. Brilliant!

It is simple to make with strips of paper and a jar or paper bag. On each strip of paper, write an activity related to Christmas such as wear red today, bake gingerbread cookies, read a Christmas story or make a tree ornament. Each day, your little one pulls out a piece of paper and you have a planned activity. Sadly, I was not organized enough to start at the beginning of December so this year we'll be doing the 12 days of Christmas, starting tomorrow.

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2013: FOR THE GUYS

1. Wool overshirt
2. Beer glass
3. The Wes Anderson Collection by Matt Zoller Seitz
4. Tivoli Classic AM/FM table radio with Bluetooth
5. Cufflinks
6. The Hudson's Bay Company wool blanket
7. Bowers & Wilkins headphones
8. MOMA perpetual calendar

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2013: THE LADIES

1. Sweater
2. Hammered gold stacking rings
3. The Kinfolk Table: Recipes for Small Gatherings by Nathan Williams
4. Messenger bag
5. Scarf
6. Wild Fig and Cassis cologne
7. Terrarium
8. Ornament
9. Hair barrette
10. The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2013: THE KIDDOS

1. Baby elephant print by The Animal Print Shop
2. Padraig slippers
3. Madame Constance doll by Moulin Roty
4. Tres Cool sweater by Oeuf
5. Volume limit headphones by KIDZ Gear
6. Raglan dress and leggings by mini mioche
7. Along a Long Road by Frank Viva
8. Mini kick scooter by Micro
9. Jenga
10. Everything but the Dalmatian Firehouse Collection

THE FESTIVE SEASON

Let the festive season begin! Today, we put up our Christmas tree, strung lights and hung our stockings. Now, pass me a mug of spiked eggnog and gingerbread cookies.

In case you're in need of some gift-giving inspiration, I will be posting a few holiday gift guides with cool things I find in my own search for just the right gifts. Stay tuned for those in the coming week or two ... and in the meantime, you can check out last year's gift guides for hosts, ladies, men and little ones.