Making the Most of the Holidays
For many Canadians, Christmas and the holidays in
December can be a special and magical time of the
year. The holidays can also be hectic, with a
schedule full of activities with family, friends and
work. Here are a few quick tips to make the most
of this enjoyable season.
Lean on Technology. Many families are located all
over the map - literally. Some of you might have
family just a few hours away by car, or you might
have loved ones in an entirely different country, but
the challenge of spending quality time together can
be equal.
Set up time to Skype or Facetime with your family and
friends. Make a plan of it and set aside time to have
a video call while your kids are opening their holiday
gifts. Just a few minutes can make the difference
and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Get Creative. Sometimes getting everyone's
schedule sorted out can be challenging. While it's
ideal to celebrate holidays on their actual dates,
consider arranging a time that is before or after the
holiday celebration. The time spent together will
transcend that actual date it occurred on.
Say it by Hand. Sometimes when you just can’t be
together with long-distance loved ones, you can tap
into the the power of a handmade gift or card to
bring a smile to their face. Some great ideas include:
hand-painted ornaments, framed artwork, a photo
album of yearly highlights, and homemade cookies.
As families grow, the dynamics of special occasions
like the holidays can change. Celebrating your love
for each other and spending time together can take
on many meaningful formats. Finding a solution that
fits can become a tradition and help to form
memories that will last forever.

Here are a few quick tips to help reduce stress when shopping for gifts this Christmas.
Make a gift list.
Create a simple list showing who, what, and how much. Then stick to it.
Start now.
Eliminate the stressful mad dash scenario.
Research online.
You’ve got your list. You’ve got plenty of time. Now do some comparison shopping to maximize savings.
Above all, celebrate your loved ones, and you'll enjoy the whole experience a lot more.