Best of EverythingMom: Organizing Issue

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mom EVERYTHING

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BITS OF THE BEST THE WEB HAS TO OFFER MOMS. ALL IN ONE SPOT.

A SYSTEM FOR EVERYTHING | 2013

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the best of

mom EVERYTHING

EVERYTHING

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MICHELLE DAVIES publisher

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and how you’re raising your families without fear, doubt, and discouragement.

We don’t want you to feel you have to do or be anything different than what works for you. We are giving up the perception

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that we need to be the perfect shape, colour that conforms to one-size-fits-all.

We are all flawed, with some cracks. And we are still beautiful, all of us.

PUBLISHED BY: EverythingMom Media Inc. 8023, 614-33 Heritage Meadows Way SE Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2H3B8 (403) 705-4863

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Mothers are bombarded with messages everywhere on how they should be and what they should do. EverythingMom is about feeling happy with who you are

web has to offer moms. Flip through the simply follow the links for the full feature.

CARRIE ANNE BADOV editor ADVERTISING sales@everythingmom.com

DISCOVER We’ve gathered bits of the best content the

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SHARE Thank you for sharing our finds with your friends by email, your social communities or face to face.

SUBMIT Do you have the best tips? Submit your finds here to request editorial coverage in the Best of EverythingMom or learn about our advertising options.

social community

“GOOD Find the

.

It’s all around you.

Find it, showcase it, and you’ll start believing in it.

-JESSE OWENS

t Soothe Your Soul

1$ $400 Spending Spree Sweepstakes

1# Gear for Fitness at Home

2$

SPECIAL: 144 Tips for Organizing Room by Room

3( Beat the Winter Blahs at Niagara Falls

g CONTENTS

Putting Everything Together u Good Media 1! 4 Easy Ways to Go Green 1& Challenge Yourself 2! 51 Winter Craft Ideas

1) 1% 1( 3&

DIY Ideas to Save Money Budget Printables By the Books OďŹƒce Organization Tools

Let this be the BEST year yet!

g SOUL

soothe YOURsoul At the start of the new year many of us are thinking about our financial health, establishing budgets and adjusting costs, or our physical health, eating better and exercise to our routine. Sometimes our mental health gets forgotten. Here are some ideas and resources to help.

YOUR DESIRES ARE EVERYTHING

Knowing how you actually want to feel is the most powerfully creative thing you can do with your life. The Desire Map: Less Proving. More Living.

POWERED BY

J The Desire Map by Danielle LaPorte

soothing solutions q w Finding Optimism App

10 Tips for Communicating with Health Professionals for Your Mental Health

e r t y u i

Anxiety, Panic & Health Resource

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Michelle’s Fave Books for the Soul

Tiny Buddha: Simple Wisdom for Complex Lives 50 Ways to Feel Happy 50+ Ideas for Kids to be Kind Agents Michelle’s Fave Guided Meditations Michelle’s Go-To Practice for Alleviating Suffering (It’s the opposite of what many people practice.)

SUNSHINE VITAMIN Vitamin D is called the sunshine vitamin because our bodies naturally synthesize it when our skin is exposed to sunlight. Recent studies have shown even with the Vitamin D in our diets, the majority of the population is Vitamin D deficient, especially in climates that need to bundle up during winter months.

Vitamin D is important for maintaining healthy bones and teeth, but did you know it also plays an important role in maintaining good immune function and preventing disease?

During the winter months, a boosted immune system helps to fight off the viruses and bacteria that commonly affect families during the cold weather season.

New research shows maintaining Vitamin D levels may also have long term effects of helping to reduce the risk of certain diseases.

Meditation / Mind Jar for Kids Cleansing Detox Bath Recipes Michelle (& her kids’) Fave Mantra from Mantras for Precarious Times (Also check out Deva Premal’s divine Gayatri Mantra Around the World.)

Health Canada recommends children and adults get 600 IU’s of Vitamin D a day.

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g MEDIA

IT’S ALL

good

Could 2013 be The Year of Kindness?

We are always amazed at the creativity, passion, and bared-soul honesty of those in our community. You can’t help but be inspired to try something you’ve feared doing or take comfort in knowing that you don’t have all the answers.

It may sound hokey but we believe in positive energy; the good you send out there eventually comes back to you though sometimes it seems to take longer than you would like. The world is full of good but there is also the sad and envious and mean. It’s easy to get pulled in to this unpleasant place. Our own insecurities cause us to criticize, envy, belittle or dismiss others who seem to have it under control or do things differently. The media doesn’t help with their studies that say we’re not doing it right or the comparisons to unachievable expectations.

We believe in the good. We accept that things aren’t perfect, that we’re not perfect. That’s one reason we started The Best of EverythingMom, to show the good that is out there.

Life is too important to waste on negativity and gossip and comparisons. We want to make 2013 a year for good: good media, good health, good community. We hope you will agree. Forget sharing the gossip and embrace the good.

good media to love 100 of the Best TED Talks Ordinary Courage by Brené Brown

good

People Who Give a Damn Unite @ Good.is Your Attitude + Your Choices = Your Life @ Positively Positive

Benefits of Yoga Laughter

Finding Kind Campaign

Positively Positive

Hopeful, uplifting – one paragraph stories @ GivesMeHope.com Me to We: Making a Difference in all your actions - small or large Misrepresentation Trailer

Channel Faves for Quick Tips & Best of the Web Crash Course YouTube Channel Top Ted Talks on Children

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If every 8 year old in the world is taught meditation, we will

ELIMINATE violence from the world within one generation.

-DALI LAMA

DIY g

ideas

DIY

Whether you are recovering from holiday spending or just want to start the new year on a stronger financial road, one way to cut costs is by making things yourself.

q Darn Your Socks @ Rosemary's Blog w Turn Soap Slivers into New Soap @ Hillbilly Housewife e 10 Homemade Cleaners @ One Good Thing by Jillee r Fold Cloth Diapers @ Hippie House Wife t DIY Wire Basket Pendant Light @ Under the Sycamore y A Home French Manicure @ Olivia Dolly Daydream u 5 Minute Tote from a Tank Top @ Salt Tree Candles by Reusing Candle Wax @ National i Make Geographic o Hardwire a Light Fixture @ This Old House 1) Make Homemade Bread @ The Reluctant Gourmet

g FAMILY

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gogreen

EASY WAYS TO

The new year brings a desire to start fresh and make change for the good.

Cutting back on toxic products is one way but where to start? Instead of feeling overwhelmed, start small with one of these four ideas.

CLEANING

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Switching out your household cleaners is a quick way to cut down on toxins in the home. Not sure if they'll work for you? Try something simple like Seventh Generation’s plant-derived, non-toxic liquid dish soap. Even if this is the only change you make, it's a good change.

SKIN We know to put only good stu in our body but what goes on your skin is important too.

Consonant Skincare products are 100% natural and are designed to work with your body's natural chemistry. Their Healthy Skin Detox Kit makes it easy to jumpstart your body's step toward a feeling healthier.

e MAKEUP Although we think all women are beautiful just as they are, in their natural glow, we know sometimes you are looking for a little colour.

Ilia Beauty's make-up products are developed with up to 85% certified organic bio-active botanicals. Add some colour to your cheeks or lips without the added chemicals.

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CLOTHES It may seem impossible to find organic, ethically produced clothing but there are designers producing just that for women.

Hemp & Company is an online shop selling organic clothing like Earth Creations' USA-made 100% organic cotton Sasha Skirt.

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g FITNESS

Adding a little fitness into your daily routine doesn’t mean doesn’t mean you have to make a trip to the gym. Here is some gear to help you work up a little sweat at home.

q 10-MINUTE TRAINER

Get an optimal workout using the Super Stacking™ Technique, enabling you to get a full workout in just 10minutes.

w PERFECT FITNESS BANDS Add resistance to your existing workout routine to increase your results. Various bands enable you to customize your resistance.

NIKE+ KINECT TRAINING

HoopAppeal

Work one-on-one with your own trainer to take your fitness challenge to the next level.

A childhood toy is now a fitness favourite. Give yourself a workout these weighted hula hoops made in Canada.

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fitness

AT HOME

subscriber contest

g WIN

ENTER TO WIN

400 $

of

FAB FILA GEAR

There’s something about the start of the New Year that brings out our desire to make changes and start fresh. For many of us, it means adding a little healthy living into our routine. A fun way to get motivated around fitness is with the right clothes and Fila Canada can help.

It’s hard to squeeze things like exercising into our routine but we manage, even if it is just doing a quick run after dropping the kids off at school or adding some yoga stretches in the mid-afternoon. Fila Canada makes it easy to fit fitness into our routine too with the launch of their online store. Now we can get inspired to tackle our resolution on our time, in our home.

And we’ve got $400 worth of fab Fila gear to help YOU reach your goals - just for one of of our lucky subscribers.

enter here J

g MONEY

10 BUDGET &

finance PRINTABLES

Get a handle on your money coming in and going out with these handy printables. For our techie friends, checkout Mint, a fantastic app/online money management tool.

q Wooden Money Tutorial and Printable @ Lil Blue Boo w Printable Cash Envelops from Today's Nest e Daily Spending Printable Chart @ Frugal Mama r Printable Infant Essentials @ Simple Organized Living t Pantry Inventory Tracker Worksheet @ Mom’s Budget y Financial Goal Worksheets @ Squawkfox u Travel on a Budget Worksheet @ Budgeting Steps i Printable Worksheets @ Google Docs o Party Budget Planning Printable @ Kid Party Ideas Guide to Savings Budget Worksheet @ 1) Beginner's Living Well, Spending Less

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We must not allow the clock and the calendar to blind us to the fact that each moment of life is a

MIRACLE. -H.G WELLS

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challenge

FAMILY

YOURSELF

The start of the year brings with it New Year's resolutions and the pressure that comes with trying to fulfill them. We want to lose weight or eat healthier, write more or work less. Some resolutions we will keep but many we won't. Instead of beating yourself up over unrealistic resolutions try challenging yourself.

A personal challenge doesn't always have to be a monumental task. like fitting into your honeymoon bathing suit. Challenges are meant to push you a little. Are you up for the challenge?

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CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO DRINK MORE Have you ever felt tired for no reason or hungry when you really shouldn’t be? Perhaps your skin just feels dry, irritated and itchy? This may be a sign that you need a drink.

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CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO WALK TALL Those people who walk by you on the street? The ones you envy just a little? They are no different from you. You may think I’m kidding but it has nothing to do with their clothes or their figure. It has everything to do with something we all have.

CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO STOP TIME School bus pick-up, doctor’s appointments, our lives seem to rotate around the numbers on a clock face.

We can’t seem to stop watching the clock, even when we have no place to go.

r CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO SHAKE HANDS First impressions can set the tone for a conversation and determine how others perceive you. Like your demeanor and dress, your handshake can speak volumes about the type of person you are.

t CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO SAY HI

Have you ever been lifted out of a bad mood when someone makes an unexpected compliment about how you look? Have you found yourself wearing a big smile after a stranger wished you a good morning?

It’s infectious, the positive feelings from people around us.

By the Books

g FAMILY

Recite poetry. Sell lemonade. Understand snow storms. Whether you have snow on the ground or just in your child’s imagination, celebrate winter with this collection of books to read together.

First Facts Seasons Age 3-5, 5-8 (34 pages) Start the New Year by learning about Winter and the other four seasons. This larger board book has big text with photo images talking about elements from the various seasons. It invites interaction with questions and ideas.

A Year Comes Round

By Sid Farrar and Ilse Plume Age 5-8 (32 pages) Turn the pages and walk through the year. Discover each month in this beautifully illustrated book of nature-themed haiku. A wonderful way to understand the change of seasons, passage of time, and joy of poetry.

Lemonade in Winter Written by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by G. Brian Karas Age 5-8 (40 pages) Celebrate the joy of a child's ability to think outside the box and work with others while learning a little bit about money. A great book to celebrate winter, siblings, and trying new things.

It's Snowing!

By Gail Gibbons age 5-8 (32 pages) For those inquisitive kids, this non-fiction picture book will answer those basic questions on snow. Learn how it's made, how it falls, and more interesting and fun facts about that white stuff in the backyard.

Books for Kids Age 0 to 3 Books for Kids Age 3 to 5

J More books for kids

Books for Kids Age 5 to 8 Books for Kids Age 8 to 12 Books for Kids over Age 13 Books for Kids: Seasonal Books

51 Winter Craft

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q w Toilet Paper Roll Snowflakes @ Muffin Tin Mom

Snowman Ruler @ EverythingMom

t Coloured ice @ hurrayic all things delightful y Crayon Resistant Snowflakes @ Art Projects for Kids u Dress-up Ice Cream Snowman @ cute everything i Bird Cake and Necklaces @ Red Art o Snowball Throwing @I Can Teach My Child 1) Colouring Snow @ Really Quite Lucky 1! Snow Taffy @Mama Bear 1@ Snow Play Dough @Spotted Pony 1@ Birdseed Snow Art @ Motherhood on a Dime 1# Snow Table @ Martha Stewart

r e Painting with Snow @ EverythingMom

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Ice Crystal Scavenger Hunt @ EverythingMom

Juice-sicles @delia creates Q-Tip Snowflakes @ Simply Mommie Simple Winter Lanterns @Red Art Blog Indoor Snow Play @Mama Smiles Snow Land Art @ Chocolate MuďŹƒn Tree Sock Snowballs @The Golden Gleam Snowman Puppets @Hands On As We Grow Snowman Snow Bag @De Tout Et De Rien Homemade Snow Play Dough @Nurturestore DIY String Snowballs @ Nes-ting

J NEXT 29 IDEAS

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Accept everything about yourself—I mean EVERYTHING. You are you and that is the beginning and the end— no apologies, no

REGRETS. -HENRY KISSENGER

WINTER

organizing ROOM BY ROOM

Take control of the stu in your home with a little organization. We've gathered 144 tips and tools to help Put order back into each room of your home.

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KITCHEN & PANTRY J BATHROOM LAUNDRY J GARAGE

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FLEX

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KIDS

everywhere tips: J

50 Organizing Ideas

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Quick Storage Solutions for Everyday Things

g ORGANIZE

A COLLECTION OF THE BEST TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR

c PANTRY

Best Use of Space in Small Pantry Well Stocked Pantry List Dollar Store Pantry Makeover Free Printable Mason Jar Labels Organized Pantry Tour Lazy Susan Pantry Makeover

c DISHES

The Best Dish Racks

Organize Your Tupperware Cupboard Kid’s Snack & Dishes Pantry 50 Ideas to Display Your Pots 7 Steps to Organized Pots & Pans Drawer Boxes for Kid’s Dishes

kitchen c FRIDGE

Organizing with Handled Baskets DIY Fridge Mats Best Before (And AFTER) Dates Smart Fridge Storage Fridge Bins and Trays Refrigerator Makeover

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Image: RealSimple.com Photographer: John Lawton

CUPBOARDS

DIY Canned Food Organizer DIY Under Sink Drawers

Everything Under the Kitchen Sink DIY Wood Tilt Garbage Cabinet Organized Spice Drawer Best Organized Kitchen Cabinets Tour

Image: RealSimple.com

g ORGANIZE

A COLLECTION OF THE BEST TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR

c BEAUTY

Style & Go Hair Valet

10 Ways to Eliminate Beauty Junk 33 Cool Makeup Storage Ideas Use Velcro to Keep Containers in Place IKEA Spice Racks for Hair Products

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Bathroom Counter Organizing Tool

LINEN

12 Steps to an Organized Linen Closet Save Space by Rolling & Hanging Organizing Your Linen Closet Dividers, Baskets & Door Hangings 4 Ways to Fold Bedsheets

Image: RealSimple.com Photographer: Bjorn Wallander

How to Fold Towels to Fit Anywhere

bathroom c MEDICAL

Shoe Hanger as Medical Cabinet Supplies in Baskets & Drawers Badge Holders & Baskets

Stylish & Simple Medicine Cabinet Organize First Aid Kits Organizing Vitamins & Supplements

c SPACE

Bathroom Ceiling Caddy

Store TP with the Loo Basket Maximize Space Under Bathroom Sink Stock Guest Bathrooms 43 Practical Bathroom Organizing Ideas Organized Bathroom Tour

Image: RealSimple.com Photographer: Jonny Valiant

g ORGANIZE

A COLLECTION OF THE BEST TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR

c CLOTHES

File Clothing Vertically in Drawers

Stacked Clothing with Shelf Dividers Drawer Cloth Storage Boxes Store Scarves in PVC Pipe Organized Master Closet Tour Organized Kids Closet Tour

c ROOMS

Organized Laundry Room Tour $100 Laundry Room Makeover Sea Inspired Laundry Room

Over 4000 Beautiful Laundry Rooms Incorporating a Laundry Tower Little Changes = Big Dierence

laundry c SUPPLIES

Hang Cleaning Tools

Save Floor Space with These Cheap Laundry Basket Dresser Quilted Ironing Mat for Your Dryer Shower Caddy as Laundry Organizer Clever Way to Never Lose Socks Again

c CLOSETS

Organize Your Cleaning Supplies

Organized Stand Alone Linen Closet Converted Entryway Closet to Nook Shoe Cabinet Organizer How to Build Closet Organizer Build Your Own Entryway Lockers

Image: RealSimple.com Photographer: David Prince

g ORGANIZE

A COLLECTION OF THE BEST TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR

c AUTO

Car Trunk Organizer

Cereal Box Fits in Car Door for Garbage Grab & Go Zippered Bags Cleaning Caddy for Kiddies Best Organized Car Tour Emergency Car Kit

c SHED

Hang Garden Tools on an Old Rake Tami’s Organized Tools

Staggered Shelving for Storage Shed Paint Storage Area 7 DIY Recycling Centres Vintage Storage Ideas

garage c STORAGE

Organize Garage Tools with PVC Pipe DIY PVC Bin Storage Organizer DIY Sliding Ceiling Storage System Beautifully Organized Garage Tour Repurposed Filing Cabinet for Garage Best Organized Tools

c SPORT

Build Your Own Bike Storage Rack Storage Between The Studs Outdoor Toy Organizer Garage Hockey Lockers Sports Shelving with Pull Out Bins Outdoor Tubs of Toys

g ORGANIZE

A COLLECTION OF THE BEST TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR

c OFFICE

Organized Office Tour

Organizing Your Office Closet 14 Home Office Storage Spaces 19 Home Office Solutions Top 10 Ways to Control Cables Creating a Filing System That Works

c LIVING

Multipurpose Work Room Organized Drop Zone Organizing Your Purse Menu Planning Board No Nonsense Nightstand Cutlery Tray for Jewelry

flex space

c CRAFTS

The Best Craft Rooms

Best Organized Sewing Room Pack Up Your Crafts in a Suitcase Get Organized with a Shower Caddy Wine Racks for Markers & Yarn Spice Rack to Organize Paints

c STUFF

DIY Wrapping Paper Storage System Hidden Drawer Chargers Stu Baskets on Stairs Entryway Backpack Storage Organize the Little Things Colourful DIY Coat Rack

g ORGANIZE

A COLLECTION OF THE BEST TIPS FOR ORGANIZING YOUR

c TOYS

Organize Toys with Shoe Organizer Organized Lego Storage Mesh Laundry Bag Toy Storage Under Bed Play Table Game Closet Organizing Brilliant Game Board Storage Art

c PLAYROOM

Seating / Toy Storage Solution

Two Single Beds Double as Guest Room Fantastic Playroom Organization Organizing Your Child’s Play Space Organized Lego Playroom Organize Kids Books in Playroom

kid’s stuff c MEDIA

How to Organize DVDs

Best DIY Charging Station The Family Media Center Family Photo Display Electronic Odds & Ends How to Organize Your Electronics

c HOMEWORK

Children’s Homework Message Centre Desk Sitting Four Children Clothespins & Yard Stick for Reminders 11 Homework Spaces for Kids Organize Kids Homework Desk Homework Station for Kids

g ORGANIZE

office TOOLS

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Keep your papers together with this staple-free stapler from Grassroots.

You can secure up to four sheets of paper with one of these four colourful cubes or standard black. $10.69 Cdn

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Plan your day on this writable Weekly Planner Desk Pad from Crate and Barrel. A dateless calendar means nothing is wasted on those weeks you take a break. $15.46 Cdn

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Martha Stewart adds fresh colour and design to your oďŹƒce desk with her Home OďŹƒce line found at Staples Canada.

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No need to decide which device to hook up to your computer.

This funky USB Hub for the Lonely City from Kikkerland enables you to connect four devices at one time. $25.00 US

niagara

9 WAYS TO ESCAPE WINTER BLAHS IN

The Maid of the Mist has been docked, the trees are bare, and the wall that over looks the Falls is covered with icicles. Winter in Niagara Falls is very different than visiting in the popular summer months, but it still offers families a magical escape.

q JOURNEY BEHIND THE FALLS

The observation deck at the base of the Falls offers a completely different perspective to the magnificent Falls but portal hallways are just as impressive. From two open viewing areas you can see the force of the rushing water and hear the thundering power as you stand behind Niagara Falls.

w MERMAIDS, PIRATES, AND WATERPARK Imagine being able to frolic in the water as the snow falls outside and sleeping with mermaids and pirates. That’s what my family experienced when we visited the Waves’ 25,000 square foot indoor waterpark located within Americana Resort and Spa

Discover all 9 ways J

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A LITTLE PLANNING GOES A LONG WAY Spring break tips from Michael Duchesne, Travelzoo Canada’s Top 20 & Newsflash Publisher •

Make a list of “must haves.”

Deciding in advance what your destination must have (i.e. waterfront, spa, kids’ activities, etc.) helps narrow down the best location for your needs.

Deals sell out quickly so planning ahead reduces you’re the odds you’ll miss the sale while you make up your mind.

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Be flexible. If you decide to go “somewhere warm” instead of somewhere specific like “Mayan Riviera” you increase your chance of getting a great deal that meets your needs.

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Think 30. Looking at least 30 days in advance of your desired travel date increases your likelihood of getting a great deal. While it is possible to score a great last minute sale, you run the risk of not finding the right fit for you and your family if you leave it too late.

CLIFTON HILL If you’re looking for a crazy fun to balance out the natural beauty of Niagara Falls than you have to visit Clifton Hill. Where else will you see a super-sized Frankenstein coming out of a building eating a hamburger, a park filled with dinosaurs, or a building turned on it’s side? The kids were mesmerized just walking the main street, peering into windows and looking at the lights.

Visit Travelzoo Canada to find the travel deal that’s right for you.

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