Reflections of Christmas

As the year draws to a close and we near the fun and festivities of the Holiday Season, you start to really reminisce about Holiday visions and what each past Christmas has brought to your memory bank.

Dating back to the days when paying mortgage bills and stressing about work deadlines were virtually non-existent and the only thing that mattered during the Holiday season was if I was finally going to see Santa and especially if the doll I really wanted was going to be wrapped underneath the tree... some of the best memories in my life have been on Christmas Day.

Left: Toothless Grin, happy 7 year old Carol on Christmas Day | Right: 20 year old Carol receiving gift from Grandma         

Age does not exist on Christmas mornings -- I still get that thrill myself (and perhaps even still BELIEVE that Santa does exist... he does, doesn't he?)

Christmas matters a great deal to me and my family.
It's not only another Holiday for us, but a special time to show our love for one another and celebrate the special joy of the season with lots of fun, laughter, and good food!
Our saying: "Always leave with full hearts and full tummies!"

Come with me along the years as I reflect on past Christmas'...

My daughter's first Christmas! [Christmas 2008]

Christmas 2009 - Ava with Grandpa E 

This picture is particularly special to us and Ava. This past year we lost our Father (and her Grandpa) and oh did he adore Ava. This was her first Christmas spent with him at his place when she was a year and a half. Here he is chuckling as he patiently adds the ornaments back to the tree that Ava would constantly remove in her toddler curiousity and playfulness and then run towards her stack of presents!
Such a sweet memory.

Christmas 2010 

Christmas 2011

 Presents!

Santa is here! Ava's excitement cannot be contained. The joy in Children's faces is priceless.

Baby Talan's First Christmas! [Christmas 2012]

What a lovely walk down the candy cane-lined memory lane.

As I prepare for the upcoming 2013 Christmas, one other must-do is to have my children write Santa a letter telling him what was on their Wish list.

Sears makes it so much more easier with their brilliant and jam-packed Sears Wish Book.
We look forward to it every year!

Check out the markings on Ava's Sears Wish Book a couple years back. I told her to mark in purple crayon what she wanted. Can you tell someone loved Hello Kitty? I love that Sears categorizes their Wish Book to fit all ages and preferences for kids of all ages!

Did I mention I was recently selected as a new #SearsMom Ambassador?

This of course is not only exciting for me and my family but fitting as we are loyal and happy customers of Sears! You can follow along on social media via hashtag #SearsMom!

I LOVE their Sears' Top Toys Selection which you can find on their website in their Toy Shop.

Visit the Toy Shop here!

My son has the Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Crawl Around Car and it's definitely a MUST-HAVE for growing and exploratory toddlers.

Big Hugs Elmo is also another great gift idea this year for young kids. He hugs you back! 

My daughter has her sights set on the LeapFrog LeapPad Ultra Tablet (this makes me happy as a mother as she's not only playing but learning!) 

My future doctor also has a LOVE for Doc McStuffins and playing doc so this Top Toy, Disney Doc McStuffins Get Better Check-Up Centre is definitely on her Wish List!

EXCITING CONTEST!

Starting Friday November 15th, and each Friday following (until December 13th), Sears will be hosting a Friday Daily Facebook contest GIVEAWAY! They’ll be giving away one of their top and hottest holiday toys – and all you have to do is leave a comment. How easy is that?

Visit them on Facebook here.

Here's to many more special Holiday memories!

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Disclosure: I am part of the Sears Mom Ambassador program with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

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CAC's Top 10 Father's Day Gift Guide

I'm glad that my dad is the type of guy that makes it easy for me when buying him gifts. He usually gives off tons of hints during casual conversation and he's pretty easy.
My husband on the other hand, is a different story. He's a man that knows exactly what he wants and extremely particular.
Getting him a gift that he will actually use can be a challenge but thankfully after many years of being married, I'm starting to slowly get the hang of man-shopping.
And they say it's hard to shop for a woman? Pssssh! Yeah right!

No matter the type of DAD you're shopping for, I've compiled my Top 10 Favourite Gift Ideas for every Father out there.
Gifts that he will actually use!
Thank me later.

1)  Black & Decker 18V Cordless NiCad Drill/Driver with Accessories
Sale Price $49.97 (Reg. $99.99), Canadian Tire
A handy Drill Set for everyday use. A great gift for the "handyman" in your family.

2) Beer Making Kit
$49.50, Indigo
The perfect gift for the DIY-guy, this apartment-friendly kit from Brooklyn Brew Shop makes it easy to craft artisanal beer in your own kitchen.

3) Gastro Grilling: Fired-up Recipes To Grill Great Everyday Meals
$19.14, Indigo
If your Dad is the "King of the Grill", get his hands on this!
Gastro Grilling is for everyone who loves to fire up the grill at any time of the year and turn an everyday meal into a gastronomic delight. This must-have book features recipes for great-flavoured steaks of beef, veal, pork, lamb, and game-the essence of grilling. And there are plenty of tasty chicken recipes, too.

4) Tim Horton's Gift Card 
What Dad can't use this? 
Whether it's the start or middle of a long day at work or before his son's hockey practice, Dad will appreciate some Tims. A Canadian Father's Favourite! 

5) Bath & Body Works Paris Blue Signature Collection for Men
From $11.00 (Buy 3, Get 2 Free Sale), Bath & Body Works
A modern blend of white woods, orange zest, and a hint of musk, he will embark on an ultimate adventure with this fresh and crisp scent.
And of course, we all know... Paris is always a good idea.

 6) Golf Stay and Play Packages
From $229/night, Deerhurst Resort
Your Golf-Loving Dad will love a fantastic and relaxing weekend stay away from it all!
With several stay and play packages to choose from, you can find the perfect course for Dad.

7) Joe Fresh Classic Polo Shirts
$12 each - CURRENT SALE: 2 for $20, Joe Fresh
A staple piece that every man definitely has in his wardrobe. Mix it up with different colours - whether he's open to bold or brights or prefers the classics, a Classic Polo Shirt will surely be a great gift!

8) Men's Bag
(Left)   Fossil Estate Messenger Bag $178, The Hudson's Bay
(Right) Mulberry Men’s Medium Clipper Holdall Bag
A stylish and classy way to carry all he needs for business or travel, he'll love one of these strapping bags.

9)  Men's Shoes (Top 3 Popular Styles Under $100)
L-R:
Pegabo Sarabia Double Monk Strap
Sale Price $90 (Reg. $150), The Hudson's Bay
Pegabo Maniello Oxfords
Sale Price $78 (Reg. $130), The Hudson's Bay
Sperry Top-Sider Boat Shoes
Sale Price $82.50 (Reg. $110), The Hudson's Bay
You can tell a lot about a man by the shoes he wears. Just when we thought a woman could never have enough shoes... 

10) Olloclip 3-in-1 Photo Lens for iPhone
$69.99, Best Buy
This is a brand new lens for the iPhone's and truly a must-have!
Shoot stunning photos using your Apple iPhone 4, 4S or 5 with this Olloclip 3-in-1 photo lens that features fish-eye, wide-angle and macro lenses with multi-element coated glass optics for clear pictures.

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