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holiday shopping

Mastering the Art of “Me Time” with Masterpass

December 20, 2017 By Lena

Note: The following giveaway is open to Canadians only.

This December, it’s all about me.

After 10 years of getting caught up in the holiday rush – shopping for presents, hosting Christmas dinner, losing my mind with blog commitments and ramping up for the new year – this time around, I’ve decided to simply … not.

I’m done. Out. Finito. And it was easier to achieve than I ever could have imagined. If you’ve been (or are currently) in the same boat, here’s how to master the art of “me time”, even during the busiest time of the year.

1. Practice saying no, and mean it when you say it. For the first time in 10 years, I am not hosting Christmas dinner. Now don’t get me wrong – I love having my family over for the holidays. I love baking and cooking and decorating and fussing about all the tiny details to make it a night to remember. But this year, I decided that I had earned a hall pass; we have other able-bodied members in our family who are just as capable of throwing a festive get together. The conversation went something like this:

“Hey! So I’m not going to host Christmas dinner this year; I’ll let someone else have a turn. So you guys chat … and let us know when and where to show up!”

I realize it may be too late for you to follow suit (there’s always next year!), but there are ways to lessen the burden if you are hosting, such as planning a menu with make-ahead items, declaring Christmas dinner a potluck so everyone shares the workload, or eliminating a few dishes that are not universal hits and yield too many leftovers.

(Need a great potluck dish? Try my Cranberry, Pear and Bacon Stuffing. Yum!)
2. Avoid shopping malls during the busiest time of year. Hey, I love hitting the mall as much as the next shopaholic (some would call it my home away from home) and I have nothing but love for my favourite stores. But during the craziness of the holidays – especially when you’re trying to maximize your well-being – there’s no bigger time suck than shopping for Christmas presents in-store. In fact, a recent survey by Mastercard Canada revealed the average time Canadians spend holiday shopping in-store is about 8 hours … but that doesn’t include the time spent bundling up in winter wear, clearing snow off the vehicle, driving to the mall, circling the parking lot, and finally, walking around from store to store, lugging heavy purchases. …

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: holiday shopping, MasterCard Canada, masterpass

Walmart Toy Academy: They Do the Work, You Get the Credit!

November 17, 2017 By Lena

You: “Hey Lena, what are the top toys for the holidays? What should I get my 6-year old niece?”

Me: “Um, I can totally help with that!” (Visits walmart.ca/ToyAcademy) “I absolutely know what all the hot toys are!” (Searches for Top Dolls, Doll Houses & Playsets.) “Just give me a minute…” (Enough time to consult another toy list.)
Okay, you caught me. Even a self-professed shopaholic needs a little help, especially during the holiday season. Although I generally have my ear to the ground when it comes to trends and hot sellers, the truth is, I’m also the mom who wanders the toy aisles, completely overwhelmed with the selection.

Where do I begin? What’s the latest craze? Where can I find all the top toys without breaking the bank? …

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Filed Under: Family Tagged With: #toyacademy, holiday shopping, hot toys 2017, Walmart Canada

Miss Manners Be Damned: Be Card Smart

November 22, 2011 By Lena

I originally published this post in August 2010, but with Christmas (yes – I call it CHRISTMAS, not “the holidays”) just around the corner, I thought it would be a great time to once again mull over The Case of the Great Gift Card Giver.

To some, gift cards are not gifts. I’ll never forget this article I came across on MSN Money a few years back, where the author bashed those who dared to dole out plastic presents:

“A gift, ideally, says, ‘I thought about you. I considered your likes and dislikes, your needs and wants, your dreams and desires, and found you this token of my esteem that I hope will delight you.’

A gift card says, ‘There! Checked you off my list.'”

She even went on to quote the esteemed Judith Martin (aka Miss Manners), stating that gift cards are “a pathetic compromise that is convenient to people who do not trust their judgment about selecting the right present for those whose tastes they ought to know.”

I couldn’t disagree more.

Unless you’re 14 years old and know the absolute contents of your best friend’s locker, bedroom and closet, chances are it may be tricky to find the perfect gift. Sure, I know that my brother likes to draw, but if you’ve ever ventured into DeSerres, you’ll know that their “Fine Arts” section is four aisles across and boasts over 460 drawing tools alone.

Gift card, please….

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Filed Under: Lifestyle Tagged With: gift cards, holiday shopping, Smart Shopping

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Lena Almeida

Toronto Blogger, Social Media Strategist for Listen to Lena Inc. Television & Radio Personality, Columnist and Speaker. Family Travel Expert. Star Wars Fanatic. Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion. Read More…

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