Cookie Swap

My SIL is a genius! Our group of girlfriends are going to do a cookie swap this year - all her idea :)

What is a cookie swap you may ask...
Well basically everyone bakes 1 dozen cookies for each person in attendance. So if there are 6 people attending you need to make 6 dozen (of the same kind of cookie) to exchange. This is a great way to try out new recipes and obtain a variety of cookies for oh I don't know... your Christmas party ;) without having to spend the time preparing each one!

She also found this helpful cookie website - 25 days of Cookies

Spotted - Kids Nativity Set

This such a cute nativity set for children!!! I so remember when I was young wanting to play with all the pieces but knowing it was not a toy. I think "little people" are on to something here! Let the children play!!!

You can find this awesome Christmas toy/gift at sears!

Holidays on the Hill

So I wanted to give you an update on the Holiday on the Hill store, featured earlier this month here. I went and I saw… and it was wonderful! The store really is huge and beautifully decorated. It is located on 7th Avenue in between 1st and 2nd Street (on the North side, across from The Bay). As soon as I walked up I knew I was in heaven! The windows were so festively decorated; it reminded me of how shops were depicted in old Christmas movies. There was everything in that store to make your Christmas both merry and bright! Everything from stockings, figurines and wreaths to lights, garlands and ornamental towns! Don’t forget the oodles and oodles of ornaments too! With the soft lighting and light music, not to mention very friendly and helpful staff I left the store with a huge smile on my face and a skip in my step!

Holidays on the Hill - Calgary Christmas Store

Ooh... fun new store in Calgary! Holidays on the Hill (formerly Ho Ho Ho Inc.) are having their grand opening on October 3rd & 4th from 10 until 6. They are now Canada’s largest Halloween/ Christmas store with over 8000 sq. feet of holiday spirited fare!

At their grand opening they will be serving refreshments and desserts. The store will be packed with opening specials and door prizes. They also have a special if you park at the Bow Parkade on the 3rd or 4th, they will reimburse your parking with any purchase of $50 or more, so make sure you bring your receipt!

Address: 212 – 7th Avenue SW (right on the c-train line)
Phone: 403 263 3030
Email: holidaysonthehill@yahoo.ca

Ten Thousand Villages

I stumbled upon this store a couple of years ago. It truly is a great find. Ten Thousand Villages is strictly fair trade and helps millions around the world. I could go on and on about how wonderful they are but I think they capture what I want you know best...

From their website:
Ten Thousand Villages is a non-profit Fair Trade Organization (FTO). FTOs are non-governmental organizations designed to benefit artisans, not to maximize profits. They market products from handicraft and agricultural organizations based in low-income countries, providing consumers with products that have been fairly purchased from sustainable sources.
Men and women around the world have a simple dream – to earn an honest living, provide a home, food and education for their children, and to be gainfully employed in a job that brings dignity and joy. Ten Thousand Villages partners with thousands of talented artisans in a healthy business relationship.

They also have great gifts for the holidays!