Town Crier Holiday Gift Guide 2012

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE TT

2012

oRONTO oday

Smart toys

Yes, they are educational AND fun

Dressing his best

Getting glammed up for this season’s parties isn’t just for her

The perfect wrap job

With a little creativity, your paper can be as memorable as what’s inside Another MulticomMedia Publication

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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE TT

INSIDE:

Great gift ideas, shopping tips, holiday must-haves, plus:

2012

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TOY TIME: Experts share their picks for toys that are fun and educational.

Smart toys

Yes, they are educational AND fun

Dressing his best

10 • DRESS TO IMPRESS:

Getting glammed up for this season’s parties isn’t just for her

The peRfecT wRap job

With a little creativity, your paper can be as memorable as what’s inside Another MulticomMedia Publication

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15 • SELFLESS GIFT:

Why making a donation to charity may be the perfect present.

25 • DOLCE CHRISTMAS:

Not surprisingly food is key tradition for chef David Rocco.

40 • HEADS UP:

Local gifts from Toronto’s talented folks.

Jennifer Gardiner Director, Corporate Sales

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2012 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE TORONTO TODAY

Terrific toys

Music, art and stacking Eight fun things to put under the tree this year

W

By Karolyn Coorsh

ith a little help from our friends and toy experts, Toronto Today has compiled a list of the hottest toys for kids this holiday season. Without further ado:

SKOOT CASE LUGGAGE Ages 3+ (Mastermind stores only) A multi-functional travel accessory, the Skoot Case is luggage that can fold into a ride-on scooter. The Skoot has enough room to hold your child’s books and stuffed animals, but the ride-along component add a layer of active fun, especially during those long waits at the airport. “Or even just when it’s time to go to grandpa and grandma’s — You pack a bunch of things into the Skoot Case and scoot out the door with it,” says Ryan Carr, a toy expert at

Mastermind Toys. The Skoot Case features a European design with handlebars and steering, plus it comes in different colours: Red, blue, pink and lilac.

MAGFORMERS Ages 5+ Children can design and build fantastical structures with colourful magnetic panels that attach to one another. Once the project is complete, the magnets can easily be pulled apart to start anew. The toy, comprised of rectangular and triangular shapes, also gets kids started on their geometry skills. “You can build something on a flat surface, and pick up one piece and all the pieces will stick together,” says Shari Bricks, of Toytown on Avenue Road. “It’s an amazing, creative building toy.”

SPEED STACKS Ages 6+ Capitalizing on the popularity of sport stacking (it’s now a Junior Olympic Games event), retail stores are now carrying speed stackers, Bricks says. Played in teams or individually, participants stack specially designed plastic cups in a sequence. “Kids try to better their time and beat their opponent,” she says. “It’s really good for promoting hand-eye coordination, agility, speed.”

CRAYOLA AIRBRUSH MARKER SET Ages 6+ The airbrush attaches to any Crayola marker —washable or fabric — pumps it up and sprays out a fine marker ink to make neat spray-on designs. The set includes the sprayer, washable markers, fabric markers, and stencils.

Photos courtesy mastermind toys

TORONTO TODAY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012

SNAP CIRCUITS LIGHT Ages 8+ An electronic and educational toy, the Snap Circuits LIGHT won the 2012 Best Toys for Kids award from the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association. Building upon the Snap Circuit brand of electronic toys, wherein children can build their own AM Radios, alarms and doorbells, the Snap Circuits LIGHT, has an additional function that syncs the circuit lights with an MP3 player (not included) so the lights flash to the sound of the music. The set comes with an infrared detector, patterned strobe light, colour changing LED, flying fan, fibre optic light and colour organ (controlled by the MP3 player, voice or finger). It’s easy to see how this toy would be a hit, Bricks says. “It’s really good science.”

SNO STOMPERS Ages 5+ Kids can literally let their imagination run wild with Sno Stompers. The snowshoes have animal prints that leave dinosaur and bear tracks. Carr says the product provides incentive for kids to get outdoors and moving about, especially during the winter months when it’s harder to engage children in physical activity. “You’re not going to have your child on the couch, they’re going to be out in the snow being active, having fun,” Carr says. MASTER KITZ ART KITS Ages 5+ Kids who dig arts and crafts will get a taste of art history when they study and try to replicate the techniques of master painters like Van Gogh, Monet and Klimt. The kits — complete with paints, stencils and brushes — break down the famous artwork for easy step-by-step learning, and also encourage your budding artist to create their own versions of the painting.

416 487 4311

3080 YONGE ST. AT LAWRENCE ROYAL LEPAGE REAL ESTATE SERVICES LTD., BROKERAGE

CORPORATE OFFICE

www.RLPonYONGE.com

7 BELSizE DR.

The Spirit of Giving Louisa Baumander*

SYMPHONY IN B MUSIC MAKER Ages 3+ One of Carr’s top picks is the Symphony in B Music Maker, a table top orchestra that allows your child to mix and match 13 instrumental sounds by adding and removing each instrument from a composition. Choosing from 25 different classical songs, kids can combine the sounds to create their own arrangement. “It just liberates the child to just explore the music, just do anything that they can think of with that composition,” Carr says.

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FOR SALE

Lovely 4 bedroom home on very desirable Belsize Drive. Steps to Yonge/Davisville subway for ultimate convenience. Charming home with dark hardwood throughout. High finished basement with three piece and side entrance. Open concept kitchen and granite, glass backsplash and stainless steel appliances. Nice deep lot with updated detached garage. Please call for your private viewing. Louisa Baumander * 416-487-4311 206 MARKhAM ST.

Frank Deluca* & Corina Nuca* Trendy ‘Little Italy’ home. 3 Bdrm, 3 Bath, open concept BAThuRST/COLLEgE Living/Dining. Eat-in Kitchen. Separate entrance to Basement. Single car garage. Call Frank or Corina 416-487-4311

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hat to look for when selecting a toy:

1. Play value. Toytown’s Shari Bricks says ask yourself: “What is it going to do for the child?” Will they (and you) understand how it functions so you can get the most out of the product? 2. Longevity. Some toys are tossed over the shoulder after 10 minutes of play, relegated to a toy box for all eternity. Those toys are virtually useless, Bricks says. Look for a multi-functional toy so it will not only keep a child’s attention for a few hours, but can be used at multiple stages of development. 3. Age appropriateness. Parents often make the mistake of buying a toy that is too advanced for their children so naturally, the child shows no interest in it. Says Bricks: “Ages on the boxes are there for a reason.” — Karolyn Coorsh

Matt Dabiri-Kashkouli*

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Breath taking views. Beautiful, brand new condo in the award winning ‘Beyond The Sea’ Development. Beachcomber Model. Bright open concept Living/Dining and Kitchen areas. South East lakeview exposure. Outstanding Leisure facilities: Swimming pool, Whirlpool, state of the art Exercise Room, Yoga Room & Much More! Matt Dabiri-Kashkouli* 416-487-4311

Trish Manning Broker Manager

It is with great pride and excitement that I would like to recognize the hands-on participation, sponsored activities and commission donations made by the Realtors of Royal LePage on Yonge in support of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. This team effort resulted in contributing donations that assisted Interval House, a Toronto women’s shelter, in building a new children’s activity area, play area and storage facilities for program materials. The new Children’s Program area will provide children with individual and group counselling, while the Children’s Art Group teaches children to use creative outlets to work through intense emotions. The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation is Canada’s largest public foundation dedicated exclusively to funding women’s shelters and violence prevention and education programs. Royal LePage is the only Canadian real estate company to have its own charitable foundation. All of the administrative costs of the Shelter Foundation are underwritten by Royal LePage so that 100% of every dollar donated goes directly to helping our cause. The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation assists 30,000 women and children each year by putting “abuse out of commission”. You too can make a difference by choosing to work with a REALTOR ® that “gives back” or by lending your support directly. Please

visit: www.royallepage.ca/shelter

*In lieu of seasonal ads our Realtors have chosen to further donate to the Shelter Foundation* Broker Manager Trish Manning could not be more pleased than to have extended an invitation to two exceptional candidates to join the team at Royal LePage on Yonge. She, along with our realtors and staff offer to them a warm welcome.

Alison Tigert *

Frank Deluca* Corina Nuca* ThiNKiNg OF MOviNg? Call Frank or Corina for a FREE Market Evaluation or Buyer Consultation 416-487-4311

We are thrilled to welcome Alison back to Royal LePage where she began her career over 10 years ago. As an experienced and motivated real estate professional, Alison has spent over 25 years in the sales and Marketing arena where she has developed many valuable interpersonal and negotiating skills. She has lived both internationally and in Toronto for over 20 years. Alison has firsthand knowledge of moving to a new city. Her diverse background enables her to work with comfort and ease in finding client’s homes throughout the Toronto area. Darren brings a lot of real life real estate knowledge to his clients. His experience with his own investment Properties encouraged him to become a Realtor. Darren’s approach starts with honesty, knowledge and a sincere hand shake.

Darren Grant *

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2012 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE TORONTO TODAY

Wrap it up

Make your gift gorgeous By Karolyn Coorsh

ift-wrapping for the holidays can be a frustrating blur of tangled ribbon, Scotch tape and paper cuts — ouch. But for Corinna vanGerwen, gift-wrapping for any occasion is not only a joyful hobby — it’s a bona fide business endeavor and art form. The former magazine editor has attracted a following through her website devoted to all things gift wrap, including creations for all occasions, great material finds, and how-to tips for wrapping like a professional. She also consults for small businesses and retailers on brand packaging, gift bags and presentation. VanGerwen comes by the craft honestly. A former senior design editor at Cottage Life, she has a degree in fine arts and says she’s been a practicing artist all her life. “I’ve always been obsessed with paper,� she says. Gift-wrapping should be fun, she says, even

when faced with a mountain of packages waiting to be dressed up. “It’s like fashion, where you have your haute couture, which is definitely an art form, and then you’ve got your off-the-rack, which is more utilitarian.� Here are some gift-wrapping tips from vanGerwen to make your holiday packages stand out (while keeping your sanity and wallet intact): KEEP IT SIMPLE The sky’s the limit when it comes to giftwrapping, vanGerwen says, but it’s best to save the extravagant, time-consuming masterpieces for occasions that don’t tend to require multiple presents. Consider using kraft paper as your base wrap for all the gifts. “It’s just your basic brown, and you can really decorate it in tons of crazy ways,� vanGerwen says.

To dress it up, combine it with baker’s twine, pinecones or sprigs of cedar from the Christmas tree. “That’s a beautiful gift, but you’ve spent virtually nothing on it.� ON THE CHEAP Using recycled or materials from nature is another way to get creative while avoiding reaching into your wallet. VanGerwen says she frequently uses twigs, leaves and bark she finds outdoors, and not because it’s free but because it looks good. Consider the gift-wrapping potential of all materials you come across: old blueprints and maps, newspapers, feathers or flowers. When gift-wrapping a present for her carpenter father, vanGerwen took some zebrawood veneer he had lying about, cut it into pieces and pasted them onto some kraft paper, creating an intriguing mosaic effect. The gift looked great

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TORONTO TODAY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012

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and featured a thoughtful, personal touch. In addition to stationery and gift shops, vanGerwen also scours hardware stores and Active Surplus stores looking for inspiration. “They have all the crazy, weird little pieces, and bits and bobs,” she says. “I don’t care what it was supposed to be for, if it’s interesting-looking, I think it makes an interesting item for a gift topper.” THE FINER POINTS Like any craft, it’s best to know the basics before getting started, it’ll save you headaches, and may turn gift-wrapping into an enjoyable experience for even the grumpiest of holiday Grinches. VanGerwen devotes a section of her website to instructional how-to blogs. She says the most common mistake people tend to make is not measuring out the paper properly: (The width of your paper should be equal to the width of your box, plus twice the height; the height needs to be enough to wrap around the box, plus three to eight centimetres). Other tips she provides — complete with easyto-follow illustrations — include how to properly cut a fabric ribbon, hiding exposed paper edges, and choosing the right tape (double-sided, invisible and clear are the best for giftwrapping). For more tips and ideas, visit corinnavangerwen. com.

“I don’t care what it was supposed to be for, if it’s interstinglooking.” Photo courtesy Corinna vanGerwen

TICKLING YOUR FANCY: Combinations like a bouquet of feathers tied with ribbon to a box wrapped in herring bone patterned paper can make your Christmas gifts stand out.

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DIY gifts and decorations

Homemade gifts

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From cards to jewellery there’s lots you can do By Omar Mosleh

ou don’t have to dig deep into the pockets to fill up the stockings this holiday season, as a wide range of gifts and ornaments can be made at home for a low price. There’s also the added benefit of spending time with family, and many of the items require little to no skill in arts and crafts. A fun and simple way to save money during the holidays is to create handmade greeting cards with watercolour paper, said goldsmith and artist-in-residence at the Harbourtfront Centre, Sarah Dobranowski. Watercolour paper is less absorbent so the paint doesn’t bleed, and is ideal for children’s drawings which can then be easily taped onto blank cards. “I find it’s easy to do, and really quite fast,” Dobranowski said. “In terms of a family, that can be a really unique way to do your greetings card.” Dobranowski, who runs a jewellery business specializing in pet-themed pendants, bracelets and anklets, said many of her metal trinkets can be recreated with cheaper materials easily found at arts and crafts stores. “Beading is an alternative, it’s something a bit more accessible to everybody,” she said. “You could also do beaded ornaments, garlands or something like that.” Handmade pottery is also an option for holiday themed gifts, because it’s cheap and doesn’t require much time or materials, said Marie Gage, owner of MadeInHaliburton.ca, an arts and crafts website that sells paints, pottery and wood and stone carvings. “Pottery items tend to be popular,

because they can be smaller and still provide something special for that particular individual,” she said. “There are also ways to make a hand-made gift unique for a certain person.” She said people tend to appreciate that the extra effort to make something by hand was put in. “You can buy clay and make different shaped pottery ornaments, and there are stamps you can use to stamp the clay to make pictures, so you can have a unique ornament,” Gage said. “If somebody’s looking for something personalized, that’s a good way to go.” Christmas ornaments don’t have to be confined to the Christmas tree, and one can make wreaths from simple materials like foliage and a ribbon made from cheap cloth. Gage said she was particularly pleased with a planter she made to greet holiday visitors. “I just found some pieces of native birch bark in the forest, added some big pinecones, and a big red bow,” she said. “So it gives a festive look to the outside of the house, and the cost was the cost of the planters.” Gage recommends adding some wood shavings to your planter to add some support and wrapping the branches with a ribbon to keep them in place.

“There are also ways to make a hand-made gift unique for a certain person.”

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TORONTO TODAY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012

Marc Linett

don’t all involve macaroni

photo courtesy Marie Gage

FOUND AND MADE: Marie Gage, owner of MadeInHaliburton.ca, created festive planters for her front door after finding small birch logs in the forest. She added a few pinecones and big red bows to give her entryway the desired look.

T

he greeting cards

What you need: A pack of plain greeting cards — usually found in scrapbooking or craft stores Magazines Scissors Glue stick White paper Coloured paper Double sided tape Using scissors cut out the shapes you desire out of magazines. I like to make dogs. I cut the body, head,

B

eaded Bangles

What you need: Memory wire — Available at bead or craft stores such as Michaels An assortment of beads and charms Pliers/wire clippers End caps Crazy glue Cut the memory wire to the desired length depending on how many times you want the bracelet to wrap around.

legs, ears etc. out separately. (Look for large colour blocked sections in the magazine free of text.) I assemble them onto white paper with a glue stick. You can cut out letters or words to spell out your greeting on the front. I colour photocopy the collage and shrink it to a smaller size. I then cut the photocopy and mount it using double sided tape onto a rectangular piece of coloured paper. I then mount this using double sided tape onto the plain card. This craft is fun for any age group and requires little skill. For the holidays you can make snowmen, Christmas trees, angels, reindeer, Santa ... the possibilities are endless. On one end glue the end cap using crazy glue. Plan out a pattern with your chosen beads — Swarovski crystal beads have great sparkle for the holiday season. String your beads onto your wire. When you get to the end glue another end cap to the end of the wire. This craft can be altered to make wine charms by buying the pre-made wires at the craft store instead of the memory wire. String on 3–4 beads. Add a charm. String on 3 or 4 more beads. — Sarah Dobranowski 2012 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE TORONTO TODAY

Man tips

Does this Santa sweater make me look fat? Tips for the guys looking to stay fit and fashionable this Christmas

G

By Perry King

entlemen, the holiday crunch is upon us, and our long list of things to do doesn’t end with gift purchases and dinners. We want to look and feel our best for our loved ones, but our budgets are small, the foods are fatty, and our time is slim. Ergo, here are some tips from local experts on navigating all the extra details, before you have to navigate the big buys and holiday bashes.

Stylish is simple Equipping yourself with some nice duds may be low on the list of things to do, but think about this, the pre-holidays are filled with work parties where you may be networking with clients, special occasions with friends, and hosting professional functions. The time of year demands a good impression, and you need to be at your stylish best. Establishing a solid, low-cost holiday wardrobe isn’t hard. Considering a person’s lifestyle, age, activities, and self-perception, what they need to purchase will vary broadly. “I don’t want to disguise [my clients], I want them to feel like themselves, and I want them to feel confident when they wear the clothes,” said Patricia Trépanier, a men’s stylist who serves clients in Toronto and Montreal. While there are varying fashion scenarios to mind, Trépanier believes you have to keep it simple, staying within a chic-casual to formal wardrobe, depending on the event. “If everyone is going to be wearing suits, and you know that, you might as well wear a suit,” said Trépanier. “It’s always better to be overdressed than not dressed enough.” In a casual environment, Trépanier recommends fitted clothes, dark pants and jeans, thick-necked sweaters, and tasteful use of accessories — scarves, pocket squares, and the like. Wintry fabrics like tweed, velvet, and corduroy are also great fashion buys for the winter stretch. “Depending on the body type, you’ll choose different cuts on pants and different colours on shirts,” said Trépanier, who notes that hunter green and burgundy works well with most skin types — just not at the same time. The options are vast, and for those wondering if they can wear their ugly holiday sweaters — or any other personal clothing traditions — those are fine as long as you pair them with something that matches well. “If you pair it with a white v-neck T-shirt underneath, or if you wear a plaid shirt [underneath, that’s good],” she said. At the end of the day, you have to make wise decisions on how to build that ideal holiday wardrobe. If you are on a budget, invest your money in smart purchases — a blazer, leather shoes, and the like — and build from there.

“It’s always better to be overdressed than not dressed enough.”

Cheat days are part of the plan Coupled with cold weather and the onslaught of holiday food,

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TORONTO TODAY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012

ann ruppenstein/Toronto Today

HOW FESTIVE SHOULD YOU DRESS? Stylist Patricia Trépanier says that men can add a holiday feature to their party ensemble if the rest of the outfit is tasteful.

the trend is that most fitness-conscious fellows are staying sedentary in the process — waiting until the New Year to get on track, but adding at least seven pounds to their frames. But, for those who don’t want to lose a step, yet still indulge in the holiday foods they know and love, there is a way to plan around it. “As you’re getting these invites to parties, you can actually strategize [when to cheat on your diet], because cheating strategically can help you boost your metabolism and further your cause,” said Conor Kelly, owner of Evolution Fitness in Yorkville. Kelly notes that a restrictive diet could slow down your metabolism. “We actively encourage cheating, but if you do it strategically, as opposed to a little bit here and here — if you have Wednesday and Saturday put aside to have cheat meals — you can actually leverage that to get even faster results,” he said. Nutrition accounts for about 70 percent of anyone’s fitness plan year round, but during the holidays, good eating habits — keeping starches to a minimum, eating more vegetables, watching the alcohol intake — won’t set you back. When that is combined with an intense workout routine — Kelly recommends morning workouts — success in the battle of the bulge is possible. Kelly, who has owned his current gym for five years, also recommends a depletion workout, which incorporates bodyweight exercises with high repetitions and lots of circuits. “What that’s doing is really depleting your body, so that when you go on a bender or drink and eat a lot — for the first little while, anyway — your body is just absorbing, going into replenishing the muscles and recovering from the workout,” Kelly said. In some cases, the plan could also result in muscle gain. “People have a hard time believing that could work, but it’s actually really helpful,” Kelly said. Whatever your fitness, always consult with a doctor about what you will be doing. Most of all, understand that staying fit will require a lot of discipline. “There’s discipline involved, but that’s what this is,” Kelly said.

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11

Give local

That’s our bag Fluf’s founders love seeing their work

N

By Ann Ruppenstein

athalie Butterfield and Terra Kushner’s respective children get excited when they see other kids using lunch bags made by their moms. “When they’re walking to school or the park and they see someone carrying it they go, ‘That’s my mommy’s bag,’ ” says Kushner, one half of the duo behind Fluf, a Toronto-based design and manufacturing company. “It’s a real kick for them.” “My daughter comes home and tells me everyone from school who has one,” Butterfield says. “We’ve definitely each seen it a handful of times when we’re walking down the street and I think we both now resist the urge to run after them and share our excitement that they’re carrying our product, but it’s an amazing feeling.” Since forming the Fluf line of sustainable lifestyle products in 2005, which include organic textile based pillows, lunch bags, snack packs and storage bins made from their own prints and patterns, perseverance has paid off for the former lawyer and former interior designer. “We’re hope-a-holics. We won’t give up,” Kushner says. “We really, really want things to work out and happen. Some people get blue or down or dismiss something when it doesn’t work but we’re like kick us, we’ll get back up.” Most recently, after nearly a three-year process, their line of reusable and organic snack packs and lunch bags hit shelves at Whole Foods stores throughout Canada and the U.S.

ann ruppenstein/Toronto Today

LUNCHTIME: Fluf’s Nathalie Butterfield, left and Terra Kushner are proud their lunch bags are now carried by Whole Foods.

“I think one of the things we learned from seeing that process come to fruition was patience,” Butterfield says. “When we have gotten or felt rewarded by something, typically we’ve worked really hard for it.” Although the Annex area residents focused solely on pillows when they started the company, they expanded when the recession hit. Around the same time they also started focusing on wholesaling instead of on retail, keeping it solely on an online basis. CONTINUED Page 13

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TORONTO TODAY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012

Give local

Buttering up

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Lovefresh’s products are spa favs By Ann Ruppenstein t all started with soap. After learning about the properties of essential oils and their benefits, Stacey Davis became a certified aroma therapist. But she didn’t know exactly what to do with her newfound knowledge until she saw an ad for a class on how to make cold processed soap. “I took that course and I loved it,” Davis says. “I started making soap and I was just giving it to friends and family and then I thought it would be great to take it down to the St. Lawrence Market in the summertime and see if anyone wanted to buy it, see if there was an interest.” After fielding requests on whether she had any other products to offer, she began to develop a slew of other body care items to offer to shoppers on a weekly basis. By the end of that first summer in 2006, she was determined to take her Lovefresh collection to another level when she was told her body butter was better than the one used at the Park Hyatt Hotel’s Stillwater Spa. “As soon as that nugget was in my head about Stillwater Spa, that we had a body butter just as good as them, that was my goal, that became my mission,” she says. She narrowed down her offerings to hand and body lotions, sugar scrubs, body butters and body wash and while it took 18 months to get an appointment at Stillwater Spa, the location is now just one of many across the country to stock her collection. “I market it so that spas will love to use it in their services,” Davis says. “It’s a great way for me to get the line out there. If spas and nail bars use it in their services they’re going to talk about it. The customers are going to experience it without having to actually purchase a product so their introduction is immediate and if they like it, it’s there for retail on the shelves for them.” Lovefresh is available in all-natural scents such as vanilla, lavender, lemon verbena, key lime coconut, pomegranate and a newly released unscented option called naked. While she’s often inspired by nature, Davis also listens to her customers, she says. “There have been scents that I’ve introduced that I thought were fantastic but the general public didn’t like them,” she says, adding she also ventured into vanilla because she knew women liked warm and comforting scents during the winter as opposed to citrusy summer scents. “Like a rosemary-mint, which I thought was so spa like, so wonderful and natural, it was our worst seller so that one got kyboshed.” Whether it’s lathering up in the shower with a wash or moisturizing and enjoying the scent of her body butter, Davis hopes everyone using her products enjoys taking some time for themselves in their busy lives, she says. “Everyone can enjoy a little simple indulgence,” she says. “Everybody deserves a little bit of me time.”

Cont. from Page 12

“We try to come up with products that are for everyday use, things that are functional that you need and can reuse over and over and over again,” Kushner says. “Everything is practical, not precious. It’s all machine washable. It’s got to weave into everyday life in a very functional way.” Not only do they hope to make customers’ lives easier by providing useful, playful and relevant products, they also hope people enjoy using them and feel good knowing everything is safe

for their kids, whether they’re packing lunches or snuggling up on a pillow. Of many personal highlights to date, they enjoy seeing their products go from concept to finished items and interacting and connecting with people at trade shows. “It’s really rewarding to be able to conceive of a product that you think would be great and to be able to actually manufacture it and see it come to life,” Butterfield says. “It’s an amazing and rewarding feeling.”

ann ruppenstein/Toronto Today

POMEGRANATE SCRUB ANYONE? Lovefresh founder Stacey Davis expanded her line beyond soaps after discovering a demand for products like her famous body butter.

Get Get her her a a REAL stocking stocking stuffer stuffer this this year year at at

Cupid’s Boutique! OUR NEWEST LOCATION! 718 Yonge St. (South of Bloor)

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13

Give local

chez TABAC; an aromatic experience on the Avenue Chez TABAC Fine Cigars & Tobacconist is celebrating 15 years at 1849 Avenue Rd. The owner Marty knows his cigars; he knows what’s good, what people like, and he offers a broad representation of brands at competitive prices. What makes chez TABAC a pleasure to visit, is the ambiance. Marty, Zara and Eric make you feel welcome the minute you enter the store. Choosing your cigars is a friendly, unhurried, deliciously aromatic experience. Marty believes a cigar is something to be savoured, like champagne or fine wine; it is not to be hurried, it is something to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace in a

relaxed and convivial atmosphere. Cigars are there for relaxation and celebration. You will always see repeat customers at the chez because of the friendly and congenial environment. Join a friend or business associate and enjoy a fine cigar and espresso on the patio. Looking for a gift for the gentleman in your life? We carry smoking accessories; lighters, cutters, humidors, pipes and pens. We can make up a customized Holiday Gift Basket for you to delight even the most exacting of cigar aficionados and we offer a concierge delivery service. Call us today or come in and taste the experience.

ann ruppenstein/Toronto Today

TREAT TIME: Whether they’re on a plate or on a stick, Lila Sarafian’s handrolled truffles are in high demand.

Sweet tooth Family recipe key to chocolatey success

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TORONTO TODAY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012

By Ann Ruppenstein

sing a 100-year old family recipe passed down from her late mother-in-law, Lila Sarafian creates hand-rolled couture chocolate truffles from her North York kitchen. “I love to make them, I have the passion,� Sarafian says. “I just wanted to make truffles and my family supported me. That was very important — it wasn’t just me, it was my family, my kids, my husband, everybody.� In addition to being available through online orders at lilascocos. com, Lila’s Cocos have also hit the shelves at McEwan Fine Foods at the Shops at Don Mills. Although she initially started the business among friends and family, their support made her dream up a bigger business plan, including taking part in Toronto’s Bridal Show and branching out into the event world. Sarafian offers custom packages and colouring to match colour themes for festive occasions like weddings and baby showers and offers a variety of packaging including serving the treats as truffle-pops. Seeing the look on people’s faces when they taste one of her truffles and hearing their reactions is the best part of the job, she says. “It’s good encouragement for me and I love to do it,� she says. “I don’t want to give up.� As for the secret family recipe, which is gluten and nut free and has been passed down through five generations, she revealed the ingredients consist of fresh cocoa, honey, egg yolk, butter, sugar and vanilla. “I hope I will leave a legacy for my kids,� she says. “This way I’m going to honour my mother-in-law and I’m going to leave something for my kids.�

Share the giving

Helping hand Charity donations can be the right choice for the person who has everything

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By Shawn Star et’s see‌ perfume for mom, new tie for dad, gift card for your sister, but what about your brother? The guy has everything. Everything. What do you get for the person who doesn’t need anything? Try giving them the opportunity to give back. Making a donation to a charity in someone’s name can be just as meaningful and thoughtful as a material gift, all you need to do is find a charity that relates to the person’s passions or interests. With that in mind, here are five charities for five different kinds of people, just to give you a start: The Environmentalist — Evergreen Brick Works Donations to Evergreen Brick Works, located off of Bayview Avenue just north of Bloor Street E./Danforth Avenue, go to various green projects at the site. Some projects undertaken include making historical buildings green and sustainable, and holding educational programs for kids. The Sports Nut — Right To Play This charity uses sports to enable the education and empowerment of kids in order to battle poverty, disease and conflict

in underprivileged communities. Right to Play has also been involved with the Toronto District School Board for a number of years. The Techno-Geek — Engineers Without Borders Working both in Canada and in Africa, this charity aims to create what they call systemic change, that is, they help provide sustainability. For instance, instead of providing people with seeds, they work with farmers to ensure their crops are prosperous. The One Who’s Good With Kids — Youth Without Shelter Located in the northwestern part of Toronto, Youth Without Shelter usually helps kids who have left abusive homes or live in the child welfare system. The charity helps youth build confidence and life skills in order to attain stable housing and jobs for life.

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The Animal Lover — Bear Creek Sanctuary This animal sanctuary north of the city cares for various animals, many of which are exotic. Residents include lions, jaguars, and even a three-legged raccoon named Smoky.

KICK MATERNITY KICK Maternity is famous for providing expectant mothers with an oasis of comfort; a bowl full of candy and a comfy couch to sit on. At KICK expectant Moms can indulge in two of their favourite things: Shopping and Eating! Expecting fashionistas have plenty of fabulous designer lines to choose from. • Casual, business and evening wear • Designer denim from Citizens of Humanity, JBrand and Paige • Michael Stars chic maternity tees • Designer Brands: Maternal America,

Olian, Ripe, Noppies, Jules & Jim, 9Fashion, BOOB and more. • MCoat Need a gift? KICK Maternity has exceptional staff who will help you choose the perfect gift. KICK also offers gift certificates so mommy-tobe can select the perfect maternity piece. KICK’s goal is to provide women with wearable and fashionable pieces for their 9 months and beyond. Shop online www. KICKMATERNIY.com or in store 454 Eglinton Ave. W. Toronto. 2012 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE TORONTO TODAY

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Let us us help you,you, your perfect smile. smile Let helpgive give your perfect Siloam Dental is changing its name to care; from your very first tooth right through • Complimentary smile evaluation Siloam Dental is changing its name to Upper very first tooth right through to adulthood, we • Complimentary smile evaluation Upper Avenue Dentistry and expanding to to adulthood, we will be with you every step • TMJ dysfunction and bite analysis • TMJ dysfunction and bite analysis Avenue Dentistry and expanding to offer your will be with you every step of the way. • Emergency appointments are available. offer your family a comprehensive list of of the way. It is our pleasure to offer you the following • Emergency appointments are available. family a comprehensive list of services. It is our pleasure to offer you the followservices. We are located at 1795 Avenue Road, Toronto Thank you for the warm welcome we have services: We are located at 1795 Avenue Road, Toronto Thank you for the warm welcome we have ing services: ON M5M 3Z3 Tel: 416 783-3999 received from your community. Our goal is • General Family Practice ON M5M 3Z3 Tel: 416 783-3999 • General Family Practice received from your community. email: upperavenuedentistry@gmail.com to offer you life long dental care; from your • Advanced Cosmetic Dentistry email: upperavenuedentistry@gmail.com Our goal is to offer you life long dental • Advanced Cosmetic Dentistry

Siloam Dental is changing its name. It is our pleasure to provide you with:

Dr. Sabrina Rosati, Hon.B.Sc., D.D.S General Dentist

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Family friendly atmosphere Children are most welcome Television for your pleasure Evening & Saturday appointments Emergency Appointments available General dentistry Reconstructive dentistry Veneers, whitening TMJ dysfunction Sleep dentistry Dental implants & dentures

Dr. Joseph Fava, D.D.S., M.Sc., FRCD(C) Prosthodontist

1795 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5M 3Z3. Tel: 416 783-3999 • upperavenuedentistry@gmail.com TORONTO TODAY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012

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Think spring

Creative Local gifts for gardeners

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By lorraine flanigan ately, I seem to be surrounded by talented friends who are busy making jewellery, painting furniture, etching prints, quilting blankets or creating Christmas cards. This year more than any other, it seems that creativity has gone wild — and that’s a good thing for those of you trying to find a unique gift for the gardener on your list. Here’s a rundown of my favourite local crafters, artisans and authors. Lakeshore Willows Lene Rasmussen lives on the shores of Lake Erie where she grows a rainbow of colourful willows, weaving them into all manner of willow products, from bird houses to baskets. This season, she’s offering kits for making potted woven trees and living willow hedges as well as a Christmas Workshop on Saturday Dec. 8 where you can learn to make stars, cones, wreaths and even an angel to top your tree. For a list of workshops and products from Lakeshore Willows, visit salix-willows.blogspot.ca/ p/workshops-and-events.html. Copper Ewe The very first gift I bought from Roisin Cadieux at The Copper Ewe was a charming fairy garden kit that I gave to my grand-nieces one Christmas. I lost track of Cadieux for years, but found her again at a recent landscape trade show where she was unveiling her new products — twig letters and terra cotta house numbers. (She still makes the fairy garden kits, too). Visit her website at www.copperewe.com and to inquire, contact Cadieux at copperewe@rogers. com. Floyd Elzinga I’ve been lusting after Floyd’s giant copper pine cone sculptures for years. Each time I see him at the International Design Show or Kiwi Garden’s annual Art in the Garden event, he’s created yet another enticing nature-inspired design. To see his irresistible works, visit www. floydelzinga.com/works-categories. Sheridan Nurseries — One Hundred Years… There’s nothing more local than a neighbourhood nursery. We rely on them for growing advice, healthy plants and inspiration — often without thinking about the people behind the plants that we flock to buy each season. When Sheridan Nurseries began in 1913, there were no other nurseries around (I can’t imagine!). To celebrate this local gardening institution, Sheridan Nurseries has published a history of the company’s growth, from its roots in Sheridan, Ontario and the small sales station in Clarkson, to the nine garden centres the company operates today. The garden historian on your list will be fascinated by the photos of vintage catalogues

and early documents. Available at Sheridan Nurseries outlets and selected book and gardening stores. Books by local authors Getting growing advice by local authors is like chatting with the neighbourhood gardening guru. These are some of the must-have tomes for the season. • The Toronto Gardener’s Journal & Sourcebook by Margaret Bennet-Alder is a two-in-one treasure. Both a place for writing down the seasonal progress of the plants in your garden as well as a trove of helpful sources and resources, this book is a must-have for any Toronto gardener. Available at selected gardening shops and online at torontogardenbook.com. • Sonia Day’s racy The Untamed Garden just won the prestigious Gold Quill & Trowel Award from the Garden Writers Association. Widely available in book stores and online at indigo.ca. • In Pursuit of Garlic by Liz Primeau, founding editor of Canadian Gardening magazine, has lots of lore, growing instructions and recipes for the cook, the gardener and the gourmand on your list. Widely available in book stores and eReader format at indigo.ca. • Self-published by Master Gardener Dan Cooper and garden writer Ellen Novack, Gardening from a Hammock is just the ticket for the time-stressed gardener on your list. Available at selected gardening shops and online at gardeningfromahammock.com.

WILLOW WEAVING: Lene Rasmussen creates wonderful baskets, bird houses and even angels, top, from willow. GIVING BACK: Fiskars, makers of garden tools, left, helps support community gardening projects across North America. AROMATIC READ: Liz Primeau’s book, bottom, gives you all you need to know about garlic.

Fiskars: making secateurs and building community Okay, this is a bit of a stretch, but as far as I know, no local craftsperson makes a pair of secateurs like Fiskars. Based in Finland, the company epitomizes the adage: go global think local. The company’s Project Orange Thumb program supported more than 125 community groups in North America this year and helped to complete nine garden makeovers, including the Cook Community Garden in Collingwood. The newest Grip Ease pruners help to relieve fatigue at key pressure points. Widely available at garden centres and hardware stores. Making her list and checking it twice, Lorraine Flanigan writes from her home in the South Eglinton neighbourhood of Toronto. 2012 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE TORONTO TODAY

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Holiday style

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Holiday Sleepwear at Très Jolie

uddleskin pyjamas with satin exterior and brushed cotton interior are cozy and elegant! Available in various prints and styles including nightgowns, nightshirts and robes. Sizes S -XL. Also a great selection of 100% cotton and flannel nightgowns, pyjamas and robes in stock for holiday gifts. We are located at 2457 Yonge Street (4 blocks north of Eglinton), tel: 416484-6402 www.tresjolie.ca

TrèsJolie FINE LINGERIE

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Seven Women, Boutique for Maternity Chic

hether you’re a stay at home Mom or a working woman, you need the right clothes and the right style, for every occasion in your new life as a mommy to be. If you need an outfit for: • a friend’s wedding • a business meeting • a day in the office • a night out with the girls or with the man in your life Seven Woman has the perfect outfit for you. When a pregnancy begins a woman realizes that everything is about to change. The 7 women realized this, when they faced the horror of styles and

fabrics that simply did not fit or make a woman feel good. They resolved to bring the best in maternity fashion from across the globe‌.and they succeeded! First location in Thornhill in 2002, now a second location at 3217 Yonge Street. Perfect for the hip uptown or downtown girl – or chic fashionista Seven Women can satisfy your craving for designer maternity fashion: Seven For All Mankind, Juicy Couture, Paige Denim, Citizens of Humanity, Isabella Oliver and Maternal America. Pregnancy couture and nursing chic for you or great gift ideas for the mommy to be in your life. Visit us www.sevenwomen.ca.

Catering to Expectant Fashionistas „ #RAVING &ASHION 7E HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED WEDDINGS BUSINESS GIRLS NIGHT OUT

Drop by to select the perfect gift or personal purchase from our stunnimg holiday collection of bras, lingerie, sleepwear and hosiery. Bra fittings available 32A to 48FF Complimentary gift wrapping.

„ ,ARGEST SELECTION OF MATERNITY DESIGNER JEANS „ .URSING „ &INALLY¨ #OUTURE FASHION FOR STYLISH -OMS TO BE „ .O TIME /RDER ON LINE TODAY

2457 Yonge Street (4 blocks north of Eglinton)

416-484-6402 www.facebook.com/TresJolie.FanPage

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TORONTO TODAY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012

www.tresjolie.ca

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Inspiration on Yonge street

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Circle Shoes

ircle Shoes has been a trusted family run business for over 40 years. We specialize in Birkenstocks with a large selection in store. Looking for winter boots? We carry men’s, ladies and children’s in many styles; Sorel winter boots, Columbia, Baffin, Timberland, Toe Warmers, Blondo and Keen winter waterproof boots. See our selection of Emu sheepskin, water resistant boots!

Slippers make great Holiday gifts; we have cozy slippers from Foamtreads and Canadian made Moccasins. Circle shoes also has a range of ice skates and women’s soft boot skates for pleasure skating. Family friendly – personalized service – mid town central location 2597 Yonge Street, tel: 416-4894379. Visit us today for all your footwear needs.

STYLES FOR FALL AND WINTER 2012 NOW AVAILABLE AT

Circle Shoes and Skates 2597 YONGE STREET 416.489.4379

• lightweight shearlings • Wool & cashmere • Fine Furs

Peerless in Luxury Fashion for over 70 years 1417 YONGE ST. (at St. Clair)

416-923-7842 • www.fursbyleonard.com 2012 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE TORONTO TODAY

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Holiday style Have a White Xmas with Sandy White

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ere is a high-quality store that caters to mature women with style and taste. Sandy White will help you find styles that have stood the test of time, from neutral knit cardigans to brightly coloured jackets. His stores offer options that are classic, well tailored and easy care. Owner Garry Doyle has manufactured his own quality lines in Toronto since 1983 – “Sandy White” and “Cinnamon Sea”. They also carry other Canadian brands like Conrad C, Foxcroft, French Dressing and more. Upon entering the bright friendly story

you are greeted with a wide selection of colours and styles. “Most of our customers prefer natural materials such as cotton and wool” says Business Manager Ansam Badir but they like to travel too so we also offer a wide array of wrinkle-free pants and jackets which can be worn right from the dryer. Ideal for traveling, they still look smart after that long plane ride to the Bahamas. Sandy White has three stores to serve you: 3229 Yonge Street, 3008 Bloor St West and 115 Hurontario Street, Collingwood. Visit us this Holiday Season and our helpful staff will help you pick the perfect outfit or gift for you or for that special person.

e t i h W y d n Sa -BEJFT 'JOF 'BTIJPO • Trust – 35 years in business

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LaVita, Funky & Fashionable

AVITA Women’s clothing & accessories at 3373 Yonge Street, Toronto, is a refreshing change for women 40+ who still want style, quality fabrics and clothes with a difference. The eclectic mix of clothing is original and funky with a range of styles for women who have the confidence to wear the fashion They like! The owners Marlene and Viet

stock a variety of sizes that cater to all figures. Want clothes that compliment your personal style? LAVITA is there for you with casual, business or holiday designs for all figures. They also carry a selection of bags, jewellery, scarves, pantyhose that will help you complete your look. Pop in and see us today!!. 3373 Yonge Street, Toronto. Tel: 289-800-3454

7OMEN´S #LOTHING !CCESSORIES LA VITA Boutique loves Mature Women who enjoy Funky yet Stylish clothes. Size does NOT matter, we cater to Real Women with Real Figures.

• Our Canadian made labels: Sandy White, Cinnamon Sea • High rise pants • Superb personalized service

Fashion by Conrad C TORONTO 3229 Yonge St. 416-482-6337

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TORONTO 3008 Bloor St. W 416-231-4824

TORONTO TODAY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012

COLLINGWOOD 115 Hurontario St. 705-444-7816

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Inspiration on Yonge street CANADIAN DESIGNER FASHION - Elegant – Original – Affordable

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he Tashi label is all about the classic, elegant, feminine & modern woman. Khin, the designer and owner of the boutique has worked in the fashion industry for almost two decades. Her clothes can easily carry a woman, elegantly from work to evening effortlessly. The boutique also carries other labels and styles which are hand picked to allow for exclusivity. However, exclusivity & good quality does not come with a big price tag. Take advantage of Khin’s vast expe-

rience and style to help you choose clothes that will give you a “WOW!” Her welcoming and personable nature will welcome you whether it is for a casual chat or advice on how and what to wear. Plus her adorable little dog is a favourite with all visitors. Unique: Visit us and make a wish list. We will create a register especially for you. That way when family or friends or the man in your life wants to know what you Really want this year we are there with the perfect suggestion. Hey Presto! Shopping made easy.

Notion Style Boutique opens, bringing European flair to Yonge/Lawrence Village Our motto is: unique, great quality and affordable.

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otion Style opened its doors a few months ago, a few blocks north of Lawrence, joining a genteel strip along Yonge Street. Named after the owner Bisa Bennett’s own clothing line, NOTION; the boutique has a uniquely European sensibility as all of the clothes are designed and made in fashion capitals from London to Milan. The designs range from contemporary to traditional in organic fabrics

imported from France and Italy, with a fine selection of European and Canadian brands including the signature NOTION designs. The clothing is unique; not found anywhere else in Toronto, this means when you purchase at Notion Style you are assured of Style and Originality! The store also has a selection of shoes, bags and jewellery, perfect gifts for Holiday Gift Giving. Men shopping for their special lady enjoy 10% discount. Gift cards also available.

Vast selection of beautiful fashion for the classic elegant and fun woman. Many unique one of a kind pieces you won‘t find anywhere else. Up to

60% off.

Appointments also available to assist men shop for their special ladies.

Gift certificates available.

www.tashi.ca

tashi Apparel

Apparel

3331 Yonge Street • 416.932.6888 2012 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE TORONTO TODAY

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Holiday style

Shoes by Zalin.

Yonge

A uniqueon combination street of luxury, style andby comfort Shoes Zalin. A unique combination of luxury, style and comfort

The House of Zalin is a truly international brand just like Zalin is; a man of mystery and intrigue. he House of Zalin is a truly international like best Zalin describe is; a man the of mystery What brand wordsjustcan Zalin and intrigue. brand?

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mysterious and charming, romantic and elegant. mysterious and romanticthat andare elegant. Zalin’s claim tocharming, fame are designs always Zalin’s claim to fame are designs that are fashionable, combining traditional artisanalalways qualfashionable, traditional artisanal quality and shoe combining innovation in equal measure. ity and shoe innovation in equal measure.

What are Zalin’s sources of inspiration? What are sources of inspiration? Every newZalin’s collection is inspired by the most curEvery new collection is inspired by the most cur-rent events and of course Paris, Rome and Milan rent events and of course Paris, Rome and Milan -

Zalin Women Shoes are made for the woman Zalinis Women Shoes areafraid madetofor theattention woman that very active, never draw that is very active, never afraid to draw attention to herself, and feels that her shoes reflect her perto herself,and andlifestyle. feels thatShe her is shoes reflect her personality romantic, delicate sonality and lifestyle. She is romantic, delicate and courageous, strong and sensitive, a modern and courageous, strong and sensitive, a modern

Zalin means easily recognizable true style. Zalin What words bestproduct describeinthe Zalinthe brand? Shoes are a can luxury which word Zalin means recognizable true quality; style. Zalin luxury meanseasily exclusive and absolute not Shoes are a luxury productoffinone’s whichwealth the word to be defined as showing and luxury means exclusive and absolute quality; not to status. be defined as showing off one’s wealth and status.

Zalin Men’s Shoes are stylish and made of sumpZalin exotic Men’sleathers Shoes are stylish and made of palette sumptuous with a beautiful color tuous exotic leathers with asexy beautiful color palette defining the men as slick, and fashionable. defining the men as slick, sexy and fashionable.

woman: dynamic and ambitious, and always woman: dynamic and things. ambitious, and always searching for wonderful searching for wonderful things. What is a must for everyone’s wardrobe? What is a must for everyone’s wardrobe?

Every woman’s wardrobe should have shoes with woman’s with aEvery low cut front, awardrobe delicate should boot, behave theyshoes leather or a low cut front, a delicate boot, be they leather or suede, high-heeled or low-heeled, probably most suede, high-heeled or low-heeled, probably most importantly, they should be Zalin Shoes! importantly, they should be Zalin Shoes!

Shoes by Zalin

3126 Yonge Street, Toronto. 3126416 Yonge Street, Toronto. Tel: 489-7667. Tel: 416 489-7667. www.zalinshoes.com www.zalinshoes.com

A unique combination luxury, style and comfort

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3126 Yonge St., Toronto. • Tel: 416 489-7667 • www.zalinshoes.com TORONTO TODAY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012

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Romance Boutique now on

Yonge

Street

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ith a history of ten years in the Romance business the owners of Lovedreamer.com have over 50,000 satisfied customers. Their new store at 2583 Yonge street has a bright, friendly, contemporary look. We know that 65% of our shoppers are female and our mission is to make shopping in our store a pleasant experience. We have handpicked quality and health conscious

on

romantic gifts, intimate essentials and stunning undergarments. Our boutique showcases the highest quality sensual products and intimate aids. When you enter our friendly store you will be greeted by our knowledgeable and helpful staff. They will assist you in your choices with information provided in a discreet and professional manner. Some of the hottest gift ideas this season are the Oprah recommended We-Vibe 3, Lelo Luna Beads, Sense

Motion line and DreamToys GlassWorks. These items are always in stock and come in multiple colours to choose from for that special person. Come visit us on Yonge Street today, just north of Eglinton on the East side, for the finest selection of intimate Holiday Gifts. Open Monday-Wednesday 11-7, ThursdaySaturday 11-8 and Sunday 11-5 or visit us online for over 15000 items to choose from at www.lovedreamer.com

2012 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE TORONTO TODAY

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Annual Year End

Inventory ClearanCe

SALE

50 70% oFF to

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TORONTO TODAY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012

RUG BAZAR

Oriental Rug Bazar owner David Khodarahmi is passionate about rugs. His family has been in the quality carpet business for four generations. He delights in taking the time to explain to his customers the difference between hand made and machine made carpets, his knowledge and low key sales approach make buying a carpet a pleasurable experience. His selection of carpets range from contemporary to transitional to traditional with a large selection of wool, jute, sisal, silk, wool/ silk combination, natural and man made carpets. They are imported from around the world; Persia, India, Pakistan, China and more. He also provides a specialized service where a carpet can be created

especially for you! If you would like your logo or wedding photo woven right into the carpet he can arrange this for you. His clients, homeowners, interior designers prefer to deal with David because of his personalized after sales service: Washing, cleaning, repair. Spilt wine on your carpet? Tried to clean your carpet and the colour runs? David can help. Love your old carpet but it is long past its prime? He can even make cushions from the unworn portions. Also available Professional Home Stager. Call today and take advantage of his storewide sale. Located at 3374 Yonge St. (Next to McDonald’s, South of York Mills) Open every day 10-7, Sunday 12-5. Call: 416-482-0244 or 416-915-RUGS

Rowefarms now available Uptown on Yonge Street Our motto at Rowe Farms is quality with a conscience. This means our animals are raised right here in Ontario without the use of antibiotics or growth promoting hormones. What does this mean for you? Flavourful meats that enhance the health of your family. Variety: We offer a full variety of foods grown according to our stringent farming philosophy:

Beef, Poultry, Lamb, Pork, Eggs and Cured Products. Stock up now at our newest store at: 2503 Yonge Street, 3 blocks north of Yonge Street, (647) 3524383 Our knowledgeable and friendly staff is there to assist you with all your cooking and entertaining needs this Holiday Season.

Mangia, mangia!

A fishy holiday

I

Food is a huge part of Christmas for chef David Rocco By Jessica Vachon t may come as no surprise that food brings the friends and family of celebrity chef David Rocco together over the holidays. “We have an open-door policy where friends will just pop in whenever,” Rocco says. “Everyone is so busy throughout the year and Christmas allows us to re-connect with people.” The host of David Rocco’s Dolce Vita on the Food Network and author of the cookbook Made in Italy says that food is a big part of the celebrations for his family — especially on Christmas Eve. “It’s a bigger day for us rather than Christmas and it usually starts off with a lot of fish dishes and goes until about midnight,” he says. “Sometimes

H

ere’s a recipe for one of David Rocco’s fish stews that he enjoys having during the holidays.

Ingredients: 2 cloves garlic, chopped Pinch of red pepper flakes 5 tbsp (75 mL) extra virgin olive oil 1 lb (454 g) squid, cleaned and cut into 1/2-inch (1 cm) rings 1 cup (250 mL) dry white wine 1 lb (454 g) small clams 1 lb (454 g) mussels 1 lb (454 g) monkfish, cut into chunks 1 lb (454 g) black cod (Pacific), cut into chunks 2 cups (500 mL) peeled plum tomatoes, crushed by hand 1/2 bunch chopped fresh flat-leaf Italian parsley 1/8 salt (1 mL) Pepper to taste 2 cups (500 mL) water

we’ll even go to mass.” Rocco says that his favourite dishes at Christmastime are stuffed calamari and a fish stew that he makes including mussels, clams and a spicy sauce. With the holidays approaching, Rocco admits he’s not sure what he will be cooking. “I haven’t even thought of what I’m making,” he laughs. “But I’ll probably think about it on the 19th of December.” While food has always been a big part of the Rocco family Christmas, he says there was one special gift that he’ll always remember. “When I was about eight I got this remote con-

trol car that my parents got me that was the coolest and I would scooch it around the house remotely,” he says. “I was loving it and really played with it for about a year.” Now that Rocco has a family of his own, he says he hopes to spend time with his loved ones and simply relax this year. Santa will also be making a personal appearance for his children this year. “We actually have someone in our family that gets dressed up as Santa usually and they’ll come through the door,” he says. “But last year my kids were saying ‘How come Santa has the same shoes as uncle Sal?’ They’re pretty clever.”

4 slices coarse country bread, toasted and rubbed on one side with a garlic clove. Directions: In a large saucepan over medium heat, add the olive oil and garlic. Sauté until the garlic is golden. Add the squid, cod and monkfish. Add the crushed peeled plum tomatoes. If you’re using whole tomatoes, crush them with your hands for texture. Add the wine and allow the mixture to cook for a few minutes. Add the mussels and clams. Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes covered. Ladle the soup into individual bowls. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve with a piece of toast rubbed with garlic. From the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s website

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Festive cocktails

New tastes Two drink sensations for the holidays

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By Ann Ruppenstein

his holiday season treat your guests — or yourself — to a drink fit for the most wonderful time of the year. Andrew Dunn, a territory manager and key cocktailer at The Firkin Group of Pubs, revealed the ingredients behind two of their special winter cocktails for our readers to enjoy in the comforts of home. francis crescia/toronto today

Roasted Toasted Almond Ingredients: .5oz Smirnoff Vodka .5oz Kahlua .5oz Amaretto 1oz milk

FROSTBITTEN: Andrew Dunn of the Firkin Group of Pubs lifts his Frostbite cocktail to the season at Quail and Firkin on Yonge Street.

Garnish with cranberries Directions: Shake all ingredients including milk with ice

in a shaker. Strain contents over fresh ice. Float 3 cranberries on top of ice. Add a cocktail straw and serve.

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TORONTO TODAY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012

The coffee and almond flavours of the Roasted Toasted Almond make it a perfect drink to sip and enjoy after dinner. “It’s mixed with milk so it’s creamy, kind of like eggnog,” Dunn says at The Quail & Firkin on Yonge Street near Rosedale Subway Station. “It’s great for a fall or winter day in front of the fire place or to cozy up with.” Frostbite Ingredients: 1oz Jose Cuervo Silver Tequila .5oz White Crème de Cacao .5oz Blue Curacao 1oz milk Garnish with cherries

Directions: Shake all ingredients with ice in shaker. Strain contents over fresh ice. Garnish with two cherries on a sword. Add a cocktail straw and serve. It’s about time people could enjoy a frostbite. This concoction is not only a treat for the taste buds but the blue colour also makes it a feast for the eyes. “You’d think that it would be very strong because it has tequila in it but it actually gets balanced out really nicely with the chocolate liquor and the milk,” Dunn says. “It looks like a great thing to have on a cold day.”

Karbouzi Restaurant, Enjoy The Fine Tastes Of Greece Want to enjoy a taste of sunny Greece this Holiday Season? Come visit Karbouzi Restaurant at 2048 Avenue Road and enjoy their Greek inspired menu. Karbouzi has been on Avenue Road north of Lawrence for over four decades; a popular family friendly restaurant with many of your favourite dishes, Spanakotiropita, Souvlaki, and Moussaka. The decor is unique both inside

and out and the muted pastel colors and Mediterranean music make the Greek islands seem only a dream away. After you have finished eating you are invited to join the casual crowd at the bar upstairs. Now taking orders and reservations for holiday parties. Don’t forget our ever popular take out service. See you there! 416 4833846.

T

ips for the perfect tipple

Mixing with milk? Make sure to be gentle. “You can’t shake the drinks too hard because the milk gets too frothy,” Dunn says. “So just a nice gentle shake.” Making a double? Make sure you double everything, not just the booze. “You don’t want to over sweeten or under sweeten a drink,” Dunn says. “Double the amount of alcohol and double the amount of mix so you have the same proportions.”

Welcome to Tabülè Middle Eastern Cuisine

COMING SOON - NEW LOCATION AT 810 QUEEN STREET EAST -KEEP A CLOSE EYE OUT! BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY/ OFFICE CATERING WITH TABULE! Tabülè is an emerging hot spot which surpasses expectations and is located on Yonge Street in the heart of midtown Toronto. Patrons from all four corners of the city travel for a unique dining experience that features the exotic flavours of the Middle East. The chef’s special cultural expertise and interpretation of traditional dishes has created a menu that will delight

your senses. Patrons constantly praise the savory and hearty menu options and the unique interpretation of Middle Eastern cuisine. The atmosphere is cozy ambience with excellent service. Large selection of wine, exotic martinis, fresh juices and loose leaf teas. Finish with a delicious dessert made fresh in house. Tabülè Restaurant is open daily for lunch and dinner, and offers BYOB, office catering, take-out and delivery now offered 7 days a week. Tabülè now also offering gift cards, contact the restaurant for more details 416 483-3747.

•now accepting Holiday reservations• Enjoy The Fine Tastes Of Greece

Season’s Greetings

•fully licensed or bring your own wine •no corkage Monday or Tuesday •belly dancing Saturdays

•outside catering •takeout/delivery •book your private parties/functions •vegetarian friendly

Located in the heart of Midtown, Tabülè Restaurant is known as one of the city’s finest Middle Eastern Eateries. Experience the exotic flavors, exceptional service and cozy ambience at this intimate hotspot.

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(just north of Dunblaine Avenue)

Tel: 416-483-3846 • www.karbouzi.com

Take-Out / Dine-In / Catering

2012 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE TORONTO TODAY

27

Local traditions

Let them eat cake

’

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By Jessica Vachon

is the season to make Christmas cake for Geoff Kettel’s family. “It’s delicious,” Kettel says. “The whole family gets together before Christmas and makes this cake.” The fruitcake his family bakes is full of dried fruit, nuts, raisins and brandy. “They’ve already done it for this year. They spent a whole Saturday doing it,” he says. When it comes to trimming the tree, it’s not a simple occasion for this Leaside community organizer. He has always made it a tradition to have a decorating party at home with family and friends, especially when his three children were small. “When the kids were young we’d always go cut a tree down,” he says. “December the 20th or 21st we will have the decorating party with a big tree.” Now that his two daughters and son have grown up, he says that they help with the cooking on Christmas day. “I try to stay out of the way in the kitchen, but I usually do a lot of the cleaning up,” he says. Most years he says they have family over on Christmas, usually about 25 people. Kettel definitely won’t be serving up a pint size turkey he says.

“We’re going to have a huge turkey, probably 20 or 25 lbs.” The most important part of the holiday season for Kettel is family coming together. “It’ll be nice to have everybody home,” he says. “My son is in New York for work and he’s said that he’s mostly looking forward to his mother’s cooking.” For anyone having out-oftown guests, he suggests going to Black Creek Pioneer village, where he has fond memories of going many years ago. “It’s a great family type of thing. They open shops like the tin smith,” he says. “It’s a very romantic Christmas type of atmosphere and they have carolers.” As for Kettel’s Christmas list, he says that every year he keeps it simple. “I enjoy getting practical stuff like clothes,” he says. “I’m not too adventurous.”

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TORONTO TODAY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012

Movie time But this classic isn’t classic Christmas

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By Jessica Vachon

omedian Debra DiGiovanni says it’s her family’s tradition to watch one funny movie every Christmas, but it may not be what you think. “My family every year would watch the movie Young Frankenstein,” says DiGiovanni, who is currently on the Just for Laughs comedy tour. “We can almost recite the whole thing together, it still makes us laugh. It’s one of my all time favourite comedies.” Having a large extended family, she says it has always been fun having everyone in her family together during the holidays because like her, they all have a great sense of humor. “My brother and cousin used to make a family Christmas movie — I think they did it for seven years in a row during the 90s,” she says. “Even now, watching them still makes us laugh.” Aside from the homemade videos, one dish she always looks forward to is one her father cooks. “Every year, my dad makes gnocchi for Christmas Eve,” she says. “It’s the only

dish he cooks, and he does it perfectly. It takes him two days and then we have gnocchi for dinner and lunch on Christmas Day too. Truly, I wait for it all year long.” Her father’s homemade gift of pasta is quite different than the types of presents she used to receive from her grandmother. “As my grandma got older, she used to get very creative with gifts — usually stuff from around her home that she’d wrap up and give to us,” she says. “At the time, we laughed, we were kids — but now, the candle sticks that still have wax in them are very sentimental to me.” DiGiovanni says she uses her professionally funny skills during the holidays as one way to avoid the question she’s asked over and over. “Being perpetually single over the holidays kind of forces me to keep my humour when I’m visiting family,” she says. “Plus, I like entertaining my nieces and nephews. Now that they’re older — we can talk about real stuff, like One Direction.”

Life in toys Store owner’s most memorable gift was one her brothers didn’t get

K

By Jessica Vachon atie MacKinnon, one of the owners of Treasure Island Toys in Riverdale, has always had a love for toys and the festive season. “One of my favorite holiday memories is waking up Christmas morning and sneaking into my brother’s room to open our stockings,” MacKinnon says. “That was always the best part of Christmas morning.” While growing up, her father was an airline pilot and this meant that their family’s holidays would be a little different than most people. “There were many Christmas’ that he would be called away at the last minute and we would end up getting up at 5 a.m. to unwrap gifts then go back to bed and have grilled cheese sandwiches for dinner,” she says. One of those gifts, that MacKinnon says was her most memorable present, brought joy to her heart, but puzzlement to her brothers.

“I still remember coming down the stairs and seeing this tin stove all set up in the living room with a bow and my name on it,” she says. “Both my brothers thought it was lame.” Now as an adult, MacKinnon and her husband have created their own traditions for their two kids — Deacon, 7, and Kaleigh, 10 — including giving them new pyjamas on Christmas Eve and opening their stockings together. “When the kids wake up they come into our bedroom with their stockings that Santa left on their beds and we all open them together on our bed,” she says. MacKinnon says she loves cooking the Christmas turkey and tries to cram in as many people for dinner as her table will hold. “We have family, friends and anyone who may not have family or a place to go at Christmas for dinner,” she says. “It is all very casual but warm and yummy.”

Stop by Global Pet Foods and pick up the Perfect Holiday gift for your pet We specialize in, the best of the best, foods and supplements for your pet. We are always happy to introduce you to our extensive selection of natural and holistic pet foods and remedies and to assist you with any problems that you may be experiencing with your pet – large or small. Along with many national brands, we also carry a large selection of

pet sweaters and coats, boots, leads, grooming products, training products, bowls, feeders, storage products, cleaning products and best of all, treats… perfect gift ideas for the holidays! Global Pet Foods 1947 Avenue Road, Entrance on Felbrigg Avenue. Tel: 416 783-8836 1900 Eglinton Ave, East (Walmart Plaza) Tel: 416 759-3331. 2012 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE TORONTO TODAY

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If I could talk to the animals

Feline adventure

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Story based on old Irish Christmas tale By Jessica Vachon

hristmas Eve in Ireland is said to be magical, and not because of Santa, but because of the animals. “When I was growing up, I was told that animals can talk on Christmas Eve because of the birth of Jesus and the animals in the stable,” author and animal lover Charlotte Daly said. Daly used this tale as the inspiration for her book Sparkie and Raider’s Christmas Adventure where the two cats go off on a Christmas Eve journey, meet friends and most importantly, can speak to one another. “It’s a great book and a very uplifting story,” she said. “I wrote it but I love it.” Daly said she left Ireland and came to Canada in 1978 after finding a job through an agency. She arrived in Barrie to be a nanny and then later moved down to Toronto.

“I loved animals all my life,” she said. “Cats are easier because they can look after themselves.” Daly speaks from experience living with seven cats, and all but one have Irish names — Ceilidh, Guinness, Meala, O’Malley, Rory, Scarlett and Tulip. She dedicated the book to its main characters — two cats she had in the past — and to her vet of 20 years Dr. Bob Watson at Eglinton Veterinary. “He is a lovely vet,” she said. “He’s just been wonderful and I couldn’t think of a better or nicer person to dedicate it to.” As he’s always looked after her cats, Daly surprised him at her cat’s vet appointment. She presented him with the book and after turning a shade of red he said he was speechless. “This is phenomenal and I’m hon-

Jessica Vachon/toronto today

THE CAT’S MEOW: Animal lover Charlotte Daly, left, wrote a holiday tale about two of her former pets on Christmas Eve which she dedicated in part to her vet, Dr. Bob Watson, right.

oured,” he said after being presented with the dedication. “This is a very nice treat.” Daly told him that he’s always been amazing with her animals and Watson said it’s because he treats them like family. Before Daly left the veterinary office, Watson asked her to autograph his book. “We should all be a cat in Charlotte’s household,” he said. “They have a very good life.”

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TORONTO TODAY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012

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Local traditions

No suprises

Wife’s extensive list makes shopping simple

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By Jessica Vachon

omedian Colin Mochrie is used to thinking on his feet after years on the improv show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, but this time of year those skills come in handy when he’s asked to fill in his Christmas list. “I’m the worst because I can never think of anything,” Mochrie says. “I tend to make up lists. It’s getting harder for me to figure out what I want because I feel like I have everything I need.” When it comes to shopping for his wife, comedian Debra McGrath, she makes it easy for him. “What I love about my wife is that when I get her Christmas list, it’s the most detailed list you’ll ever get,” he says. “It has what she wants, it has the store you can get it and the sales person you can talk to. So it takes out all the worry.”

However, Mochrie always wants to give her a surprise gift. “Every year I try to do a homemade gift,” he says. “That’s the best part for me, trying to make my wife cry when I give her a present.” Christmas is a big event at their home and it all starts with the decorating, with his wife as the designated elf, Mochrie says. “We have a rule, with decorating,” he says. “My birthday is on Nov. 30, so we can’t do anything before then. So the first of December all the decorations go up.” With his wife doing the decorating, Mochrie is the designated Christmas cook. The day starts at 8 a.m. with croissants and cheese before they open gifts, he says. After he makes a big breakfast of sausage, bacon, eggs and pancakes for the family before put-

ting the turkey in the oven. “It’s just a day of eating and drinking,” he says. As every Christmas is memorable in different ways, there is one that has always stood out to him from when he was a child, Mochrie says. “I remember once as a kid, my father had been unemployed for months and it was sort of a tough Christmas,” he says. “My present that year was a hockey stick. It was still actually a nice holiday, and it reminded me that you don’t actually need a lot of presents to have a good time.”

“My birthday is on Nov. 30, so we can’t do anything before then.”

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Holiday Happenings

What’s going on Holiday events that you won’t want to miss Friday, Dec. 7 Holiday Gift Fair, Central Eglinton Community Centre, 160 Eglinton Ave. E. 10 a.m. Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the Holiday Gift Fair is so delightful. Fabulous gift items, unique crafts, Snowflake Cafe, silent auction, door prizes, used book room, gently used holiday treasures, bake table and more. Free admission. Elves in the Workshop, Casa Loma, 1 Austin Ter. You and your little elf will enjoy creating a decorated homemade gingerbread house to hang on your family tree at Casa Loma. Times: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., noon, 1 p.m., and 2 p.m. General admission is included, pre-registration is necessary. Adults: $23.00 + HST; Children $18.75 + HST. Danforth’s Passport to a Holiday Shopping Spree, Danforth BIA. 348 Danforth Ave. 6 p.m. Toast to the Holidays is the Danforth BIA’s annual holiday kick off. A $10 All Access passport entitles shoppers to a glass of holiday cheer at each of 12 stations and a chance to win a $1,000 shopping spree. For more info visit www.theDanforth.ca. Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day — Upper Canada Choristers & Cantemos in Concert, Grace Church on-theHill, 300 Lonsdale Rd. 8 p.m. Laurie Evan Fraser conducts the musical fable The Reluctant Dragon & other works by John Rutter, and directs the choir’s accomplished Latin ensemble, Cantemos, in music from Spain and Latin America featured on its new Christmas CD, El Nacimiento. $20 in advance, $25 at the door. www. uppercanadachoristers.org. Weekends Friday, Dec, 7–Sunday, Dec, 23 The Christmas Story, The Church of the Holy Trinity. 19 Trinity Sq. 7:30 p.m. Celebrating 75 years at the Church of

the Holy Trinity. Professional musicians and a volunteer cast present this charming hourlong nativity pageant. Dec. 7 & 9, 14–16, 20–23 Matinees: 4:30 p.m. To reserve tickets visit www.holytrinitytoronto. org. Donation requested. Saturday, Dec. 8 Carollers Wanted to Help Challenge World Record, 55 Mill St. 5 p.m. Mill Street Brewery and the Lowe’s Toronto Christmas Market are embarking on a bold and very vocal campaign to challenge a world record for most carollers singing in one place. Free. Etobicoke Centennial Choir concert — Sacred Traditions, Humber Valley United Church, 76 Anglesey Blvd. 7:30 p.m. Join the celebration as the Etobicoke Centennial Choir opens its 46th season with a concert of glorious classics and joyous Christmas music. Featuring Haydn’s St. Nicholas Mass, Britten’s Ceremony of Carols, and a selection festive carols. $20. Saturday, Dec 8–Sunday, Dec. 9 & Saturday, Dec. 15–Sunday, Dec. 16 Breakfast with Santa at Shops at Don Mills, 1090 Don Mills Rd. 9 a.m. Join Santa and his helper for a delicious breakfast at Jack Astors. $15. Have Your Pet’s Photo Taken with Santa at PawsWay during Winterfest, 245 Queens Quay W. Noon. $10. Find out if your cat or dog has been naughty or nice as Santa pays a memorable visit to PawsWay. Capture that special moment between Santa and your pet. $10. Saturday, Dec. 8–Sunday, Jan. 6 All Aboard the Miniature Train at Shops at Don Mills this Holiday Season, 1090 Don Mills Rd. Enjoy a miniature train ride through Shops at Don Mills. Hop aboard for a magical tour and a firsthand glimpse of the decorative holiday windows throughout December.

Full schedule at www.shopsatdonmills.ca. $3. Sunday, Dec. 9 Family Sunday Art Event at Art Works Art School, 238 Jane St. 2 p.m. Gift Wrapping Workshop: Make your own gift wrap, cards, gift tags in this intro to printmaking. Fine Art Activity: Create detailed drawings of a family event inspired by Canadian Ukrainian artist William Kurelek known for his elaborate paintings. $5. Toronto Beach Chorale, 975 Kingston Rd. 7:30 p.m. Toronto Beach Chorale presents John Rutter’s “Gloria”, with brass, organ and percussion. Seasonal favourites complete a joy-filled program to usher in the holiday season. $20, $10 for youth 7– 18, free admission age 6 and under. www.torontobeachchorale.com. Riverdale Share Concert, Riverdale Share Community Association, 147 Danforth Ave. 3 p.m. Join us for this

diverse holiday celebration featuring some of Toronto’s most celebrated artists as we raise money and food for families in crisis. Tickets available at The Big Carrot, It’s My Party, Treasure Island Toys and Ticketmaster. $20. Wednesday, Dec. 12 A Choral Society Christmas, Toronto Choral Society, Eastminster United Church, 310 Danforth Ave. 7:30 p.m. Toronto’s oldest community choir presents the best of the Christmas season, featuring favourites from around the world as well as selections from Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, Handel’s Messiah and Liszt’s Missa Choralis. $20 in advance $25 at the door. Toronto Mendelssohn Choir — Festival of Carols, Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, 1585 Yonge St. 7:30 p.m. Join us for the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir’s joyous Christmas tradition Continued Page 34

The McMichael – the perfect destination to celebrate the holidays!

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his holiday season experience all that is Canadian at the McMichael gallery, in the charming village of

Kleinburg. The McMichael Gallery Shop features unique, handcrafted items such as jewellery, pottery, Inuit carvings, hand-blown glass collections by Robert Held, and much more. Popular gift items include: GROUP OF SEVEN MUG SET Featuring four different works from the McMichael collection, these Rob McIntosh fine bone china mugs are beautifully nestled in a silk-lined gift box and make a wonderful gift for you or a friend. 2013 MCMICHAEL DESK CALENDAR Perfect for mailing as a gift, and handy to have on your desk, this lovely little calendar features images from newer McMichael art acquisitions, plus some old permanent collection favourites.

PAINTING CANADA: TOM THOMSON AND THE GROUP OF SEVEN CATALOGUE Beautifully illustrated with over 120 colour reproductions and maps indicating the geographical range covered by Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven. Plus see the exhibition that took Europe by storm – Painting Canada: Tom Thomson and the Group of Seven is on only until January 6, 2013, and the McMichael is the only Canadian stop on its international tour! Also see the special exhibitions Double Take: Portraits of Intriguing Canadians and Queen Elizabeth II by Cecil Beaton: A Diamond Jubilee Celebration. Enjoy breathtaking, panoramic views of 100 acres of stunning woodland and participate in programs for the whole family. Call 905.893.1121 or visit: www.mcmichael.com for program details and registration.

2012 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE TORONTO TODAY

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452 College St., Toronto, ON (416) 929-3019

Dec 2 1st Advent

10.30 am

“Hanging of the Greens”

Dec 9 2nd Advent

10.30 am

“Lessons and Carols”

Dec 16 3rd Advent

10.30 am

“Choir Music and Pageant” - Noon – Turkey dinner, carol singing, Santa Claus.

Dec 23 4th Advent

10.30 am

“Christmas message & music (Chris Levan)

Dec 14/15 Play

7.30 pm “Herod & the Innkeeper” (The Christmas Story you’ve never heard before. Written and produced by Christopher Levan)

Dec 24 Christmas Eve 7.00 pm

Dec 31

Candlelight service

11.00 pm Communion Service 11.30 pm New Year’s Eve Service & Celebration.

ST. LEONARD’S Anglican Church Sat Dec 15

3-4.30 pm

Sun Dec 16 10.15 am Sun Dec 23 10.15 am Mon Dec 24 7.00 pm Tues Dec 25 10.00 am

Stories & Songs for Christmas By Tim Elliott. Tickets $20 at the door. Children’s Christmas Pageant Lessons & Carols Eucharist (BAS) Eucharist (BCP)

The Rev’d Gregory Fiennes-Clinton, Parish Priest. www.stleonardtoronto.org Tel: 416 485-7278

Bell Ringers Needed for The Salvation Army

Christmas Kettle Campaign

Holiday Happenings

COLLEGE STREET UNITED CHURCH

of festive music, seasonal anecdotes and carols for all to sing. It’s a great way to start off the Christmas season with your whole family. Noel Edison, conductor and narrator. Tickets: $48–76, seniors $42–70; VoxTix $20.

VOCA Chorus of Toronto presents seasonal songs of light, featuring rousing wassails, 16th century classics, African carols with percussion, and jazz and gospel tunes. $20 (gen. adm), $15 (seniors) and $10 (students).

Chanukah Concert Live! Toronto Public Library/ Toronto Jewish Folk Choir, Barbara Frum Library, 20 Covington Rd. 8 p.m. The Toronto Jewish Folk Choir returns with lively Chanukah songs and songs from its current repertoire in Yiddish, Hebrew, Ladino and English. Free, but call 416-395-5440 to register.

Wednesday, Dec. 19 Amica at Bayview’s Lunch ‘n Holiday Movie, 15 Barberry Pl. 1:15 p.m. Escape the December holiday hustleand-bustle this afternoon and allow yourself to relax and enjoy a lovely lunch followed by the classic film The Shop Around The Corner, starring Margaret Sullivan and James Stewart.

Friday, Dec. 14 Toronto Outing: Lowe’s Toronto Christmas Market, Central Eglinton Community Centre. 160 Eglinton Ave. E. 11 a.m. We will experience the romance and magic of the traditional sounds, signs and scents of the Holidays. Call 416-392-0511 ext. 228 for more information and to register. Must be 50+. Free.

Friday, Dec. 21 “Messiah” Amadeus Choir & Ontario Philharmonic, Christ Church Deer Park, 1570 Yonge St. 8 p.m. A great way to get in the spirit of the holiday season as you experience the glorious sounds of this choral marvel Ontario Philharmonic Amadeus Choir. Jennifer Taverner, soprano Leigh-Anne Martin, alto Zach Finkelstein, tenor Justin Welsh, baritone. $25–45. www.ontariophil.ca.

Amica at Bayview’s Afternoon of Christmas Caroling, 15 Barberry Pl. 2:30 p.m. What happens when sleigh bells ring, halls are decked, and Rudolph, Frosty, The Little Drummer Boy, and some Herald Angels are all in one room? Join us this afternoon to find out, as Christmas is wished to be merry and dreamed to be white. Saturday, Dec. 15 A “Shining Night” of Singing, VOCA Chorus of Toronto, Eastminster United Church, 310 Danforth Ave. 7:30 p.m. The 75-voice

Saturday, Dec. 23–Sunday, Dec. 24 Stuff a Bin Holiday Event, Bosley Real Estate, 1500 Bayview Ave. There will be two bins set up in the parking lot of Tremblett’s Valumart for people to drop by and donate dry food good and or toys for tots. These items will be delivered to the needy on the afternoon of Dec. 24. To place your event in our Community Calendar visit www.mytowncrier.ca.

Bayview Avenue Church of Christ Shifts are 2 to 4 hours long. Training and support is provided. Have your company, service club or organization sponsor a Kettle by giving your time for a day. For more information, please visit BellRingerToronto.ca SalvationArmy.ca 1-800-SAL-ARMY

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TORONTO TODAY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012

We are a New Testament Christian Church modeled after the church of the first century remembering Christ’s death and resurrection through the Lord’s Supper. We meet every week : Sundays at 10 am for Bible Study • Sundays at 11 am for Worship Wednesdays at 7 pm for Bible Study 1708 Bayview Ave. Toronto, ON • Tel: (416) 489-7405 Email: bayviewchurchofchrist@rogers.com

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2012 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE TORONTO TODAY

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CANADIAN ART COLLECTION D’ART CANADIEN

C y a o d l i o l uri o n

2 012

ntest Co

How To enTer

Operation of this contest is Sole Responsibility of Town Crier under the control of Multicom Media Services Ltd.

How to participate

PrIZeS: one (1) of Two (2) Toronto Argonauts 100TH Anniversary cap and T-shirt. Two (2) of four (4) Toronto Argonauts 2013 season tickets. Six (6) McMichael Canadian Art Collection Family Passes.

name ____________________________________ Age: ___________ Address __________________________________________________ City _________________ Prov. ______ Postal Code ____________ Daytime Telephone number ________________________________ email: ________________________________ TORONTO TODAY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012

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www.MyTownCrier.ca

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and

1) To enter, complete the Entry Form and include your completed colouring of the image attached to the form and mail it to Multicom Media Services Holiday Colouring Contest 2012, 101 Wingold Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M6B 1P8. 2) The contest begins Monday, December 3rd, 2012 and ends Monday, December 13th, 2012. All entries must be postmarked on or before December 13th, 2012. Limit one (1) entry per postage stamped envelope. Entry limited to children 12 years old and under. No mechanical reproduction will be accepted. 3) No purchase is necessary. 4) To print additional copies of the contest drawing, please visit www.mytowncrier.ca and click on the 2012 Holiday Colouring Contest link.

How you Could win

The contest draw is 12 noon, wednesday, December 17th, 2012. Ten (10) entries will be randomly selected for a total of Ten (10) prizes. All winners will be notified via telephone that day. Winners may be asked to pose for a photograph to be used in any subsequent editions of any Multicom Media Services Ltd. newspaper. The odds of winning depend on the total number of entries received.

Ignite the Holiday spirit and enjoy activities for the whole family!

What s On

Happy Holidays from our Community Family Sunday with Humber River Shakespeare Company performance, December 9 Crazy about Mosaic Family Workshop, December 29 McMichael Winter Art Camp Ages 5 to 10 January 2, 3, and 4 Registration is required for all classes, workshops and Winter Art Camp; fees may apply. Call 905.893.1121 ext. 2209 to register. For details please visit: ?~t~ztyrv}?t ~

PLUS...DON’T MISS THIS BREATHTAKING, SPECIAL EXHIBITION, ONLY AT THE McMICHAEL!

Painting Canada TOM THOMSON and the GROUP OF SEVEN For the first time, a Group of Seven exhibition brings together iconic masterpieces with their sketches. See the exhibition that took Europe by storm!

A.Y. Jackson, Winter, Quebec, 1926, Oil on canvas, 53.8 x 66.5 cm, National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa, Vincent Massey Bequest, 1968, Courtesy of Carleton University Art Gallery, Ottawa, Ontario

NOW ON until JANUARY 6, 2013

M E D I A PA R T N E R S

AN AGENCY OF THE GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO

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2012 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE TORONTO TODAY

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Related tales

A different take Stories of seven grandsons by seven authors are popular read

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By Ann Ruppenstein

ric Walters was sitting in a hot tub thinking of his late father-in-law and the legacy a grandfather leaves behind when he came up with the idea for the book series Seven. “I thought about a wise grandfather dying and giving a task for one of his grandsons and I thought, why one, why not three, seven is such a magical number,” he says. “I started thinking of how this could be written by different people and how would other people write this? I started thinking of people whose work I admired and getting them involved in the project.” His thoughts immediately went to authors like Ted Staunton and Richard Scrimger for comedic stories and Norah McClintock for the

“I started thinking how this could be written by different people.”

mystery genre, he says. After contacting Orca Book Publishers, who agreed to take on the project, he proceeded to get in touch with other writers including John Wilson, Sigmund Brouwer and Shane Peacock about contributing to the series for young adults. “The basic parameters was they had to respect the grandfather’s death, the will scene,” Walters says. “They could write the genre they wanted, the length they wanted, the adventure they wanted and what was in that envelope their grandfather gave them.” The result is a collection of seven books by seven different Canadian authors, which were released simultaneously in October which can be read individually or as a series and in any order. “People just ran with it in directions I couldn’t have conceived,” Walters says. “This is so much more powerful than it would have

been if I had written seven different characters.” One of his goals behind the series is to encourage literacy and appeal to reluctant male readers by making the lead characters in the books be male and offer a variety of genres including history, mystery and comedy to draw readers in. “This is a chance to get kids to cross genres to get into reading as opposed to reading a series to just

get them to read it,” he says. “The literature clearly says that while girls will read male lead characters, boys are reluctant (to read stories with female lead characters).” The first printing of Seven sold out before its release date, prompting both a second and third reprint to date, he says. “It’s not Harry Potter but by Canadian standards this has never happened with children’s books in this country,” Walters says.

ann ruppenstein/toronto today

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TORONTO TODAY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012

ann ruppenstein/toronto today

Norah McClintock Ever since she was a little girl Norah McClintock wanted to be a writer. “If you go back and look at my high school yearbook that’s what it says: I’m going to be a writer one day,” McClintock says from her home near Greenwood and Danforth avenues. “So I actually managed to make that happen for myself.” An avid reader who grew up near a public library, McClintock got hooked on mysteries like Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys at an early age and eventually became known for her own work in the mystery and crime genre, winning the Crime Writers of Canada’s Arthur Ellis Award for Best Juvenile Crime Novel five times. After getting a call from series creator Eric Walters about the Seven project, she was intrigued by the idea of all seven books in the series coming out at once and how the only ground rule was the main character in each novel had to be a grandson of David McLean who received a mission from

Richard Scrimger Riverdale resident Richard Scrimger admits he was a combination of class clown and nerd when he was growing up. “I’ve always liked making people laugh,” he says. “I was in fact a member of the chess club. I was on the debating team but I was also the guy who sat at the back of the class and told jokes that made people laugh and got in trouble with the teacher.” Although the award-winning author of 15 books for children and adults is known for his quirky sense of humour, he says he blends darker themes in with the comedy. “I don’t tell simple fart jokes, not that those aren’t funny, but I like to build the depth, the darkness behind my comedy,” he says. “My first big book for kids was a book in which there’s a guy with an alien living in his nose, which is totally whacky and yet the guy is going through a divorce, he’s getting bullied on the playground.”

their grandfather. “I just thought why not?” she says. “I knew some of the authors that Eric had already spoken to and they’re all pretty terrific writers so I just couldn’t say no.” As a result, each book wound up lining up with each author’s personal interests, she says. “I write almost exclusively mystery and crime novels so when I started thinking about what was going to happen I knew that there was going to be a body in there somewhere,” she says. Close to the Heel, her book in the series, follows her narrator Rennie who receives a mission from his late grandfather to fly to Iceland to pay homage to a mystery woman and deliver a message from beyond the grave. “In doing this Rennie stumbles upon a mystery that involves mysterious circumstances and then it gets more complicated as he finds out a little bit more about what happens until ultimately his own life is in peril,” McClintock says, adding she was able to spend several weeks in Iceland for research

As an author, Scrimger enjoys engaging readers and strives to have an authorial narrative voice. “Moses comes down with 10 commandments, the writer has one commandment: thou shall not be boring,” he says. “I’ve always liked connecting with people. When people ask, ‘What’s the best thing about being a writer?’ My usual answer is something to do with the fact that I get to engage people.” After discussing the Seven series with Eric Walters, what he liked the most about the project was the fact that although Walters had the broad strokes outlined it was up to him to craft his own story. Ink Me, is the tale of Bunny a.k.a Bernard the 15-year-old who doesn’t understand why his late grandfather wants him to get a tattoo and winds up getting involved with a local gang and is torn between his new alliance and doing what he knows is right. Although all the books in the series

for the story. “The really cool thing about each novel in the series is they’re completely different genres.” As a writer, one of the biggest thrills of her job comes from the emails she receives from kids, especially those from young boys who write saying they were forced to read a book and actually wound up enjoying one of hers or those who say they were reacquainted with reading after engaging in one of her mysteries, she says. “When that happens I feel as if I have transformed maybe a non-reader or an extremely reluctant reader into someone who really had a good time with a book and is willing to take a chance on reading another one and I think that’s terrific because I honestly can’t think of a better way to pass the time than to read,” she says. However, she also fields messages from students seeking a synopsis for a book report, she says. “Every now and again someone tries to slip a fast one by me,” she says, laughing. “I guess you can’t blame them for trying.”

are built to standalone, his story is connected to Ted Staunton’s book Jump Cut, which features Spencer, Bunny’s older brother. Although Scrimger enjoys writing for kids as well as adults, he says writing for a younger audience allows him to access his inner kid, whom his friends can attest is a large and overt part of who he is, he says. “Writing for kids as an audience, it’s pure,” he says. “If they like you, they tell you. If an audience of kids is bored, boy do you know it. “If an audience of adults is bored you might not know it because they’re awfully polite. When you can please an audience of kids there’s a sense of genuineness.”

“I like to build the depth, the darkness behind my comedy.”

2012 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE TORONTO TODAY

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Gifts from our backyard

Toronto treats

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Gross-abulary Never has vocabulary been so fun — and gross. Part word game, part trivia game, Gross-abulary, which is produced by Toronto-based recreational games company BE Inc., makes use of boogers, farts and body parts to appeal to the whole family. By combining picture and word cards together to make sentences, players expand their vocabulary while finding out about strange and zany facts. $25. grossabulary.com

Ten great present ideas created close to home

By Ann Ruppenstein orget the 100-mile diet. We’ve found some great gift ideas made and designed within 100-miles of Toronto. Naughty or nice, keep it local this holiday season with these options fit for the chocoholic, fashionista, avid reader and naturalist on your Christmas shopping list.

Valentine K These cozy Valentine K cashmere sweaters by Leaside-based designer Lauren McLachlan blend comfort with style for the fashionista on your holiday shopping list. The leather embellishments adorning every top are hand picked and unique to each sweater. The pullovers and cardigans are available in an assortment of colours including grey, navy, purple and dusty pink. $325–425. valentinekdesigns.com

Lovefresh Beach resident Stacey Davis’ line of all-natural products including body lotions, body scrubs, sugar scrubs and body washes will not only pamper someone special, they also fit nicely in a stocking. Lovefresh uses fresh ingredients and natural essential oils to create scents such as vanilla, pink grapefruit & tangerine, key lime coconut, pomegranate and naked, the newly released unscented option. See story on page 13. $20–30 each. lovefresh.com

Lila’s Cocos Lila Sarafian’s hand-rolled dark chocolate truffles are made from a 100-year old family recipe passed down through generations of chocolatiers. Lila’s Cocos are made in North York with fresh cocoa, honey, egg yolk, butter, sugar and vanilla. These gluten and nut free treats can be given away as gifts or served to guests — and unexpected visitors. See story on page 14. $15–25. lilascocos.com

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Bel Ami The handmade sweetheart bow headband designed by Toronto-based Erin Fitzpatrick is a party perfect piece for girls of all ages and comes in a variety of colours including scarlet. “This style is our most popular seller over the holiday season because it makes a great stocking stuffer,” says Fitzpatrick, the founder and CEO of Bel Ami School Headbands. $15. schoolheadbands.com

Seven Seven Canadian authors, including Toronto-based Richard Scrimger and Norah McClintock, teamed up to simultaneously release a series of seven books for young adults. The resulting Seven collection can be purchased and read individually or as a box set and range in genre from history to mystery and comedy. Each story is the tale of one of David McLean’s seven grandsons who are left with an unusual will outlining seven tasks. See story on page 38. $60. orcabook.com/seventheseries

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TORONTO TODAY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012

Although these bags are made in Spain, designer and co-founder Ela Kowalewska is based in Toronto. Whether it’s a clutch, pouch or tote bag, the Ela collection, which is available at Holt Renfrew, is a stylish and colourful choice suited for a fashionable woman to receive this time of year and enjoy year round. $298–418. elabyela.com

Niki & Lola Husband and wife duo Angie Tingas and Michael Proteau are behind the Niki & Lola line of one-of-a-kind hand crafted jewellery, which is made of mixed metals and semi-precious stones. Named after their daughters, their collection offers stylish items like the agny spear and the polygonia bangle, which will complete any outfit. $120–190. nikiandlola.com

Damn Heels The damn glamorous collection by Damn Heels by Leaside resident Hailey Coleman is designed to look like a corset. The twotone colours dress feet up for the holidays and are available in Champagne Gold, Black Diamond and Gunmetal Glitz. Teenagers and women alike will enjoy the feel of a comfortable flat in the look of a heeled shoe. These sleek shoes come in sizes 6 through 10. $55. damnheels.com

Last minute ideas

Stuck?

The Yetitoy, a ride-on fantasy creature by Prince Lionheart, is suitable for kids 2–6 years old. It comes in a variety of bright colours and can be customized with accessories including horns, ears and a saddle. $140. princelionheart.com

Seven things to add to your shopping list

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By Ann Ruppenstein is the season of giving. But if you’ve made your list and checked it twice, and still have nice people left to shop for, consider these gift ideas:

The natural elements mini collection by contemporary, lifestyle fashion collections brand Spanner offers cozy, comfortable and warm pieces like the eternity scarf in blush/charcoal and a long cable knit cardigan, which is also available in grey mélange. $49–119. spanner.ca

Specialty lingerie retailer Linea Intima has a wide selection of offerings for women this holiday season, including the Ari Dein taupe pink chemise, which is hand crafted in Manhattan of 100 percent silk. $395. lineaintima.com

Shaped like an owl, this rockin’ plush speaker is not only cozy but has a speaker on each side and a front pouch pocket fit to hold an iPhone or MP3 player. $87. pbteen.com

Designed in stainless steel and black or white crystal minerals, this shimmer and shine astound set of three bangles is a part of the Calvin Klein jewellery collection. $130. calvinklein.com

For a gift that gives back, Habitat for Humanity’s gift from the heart catalogue offers an opportunity to give friends and family a donation that helps build Habitat homes in Toronto ranging from $16 for a screwdriver set to $5,000 for the trusses and shingles of an entire home. torontohabitat.ca

Inspire, evolve, create, love, heal. Detailed with an inscription in flowing cursive, this bold inspirational sentimental bangle makes a positive statement. $57. pbteen.com

2012 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE TORONTO TODAY

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Crossword

In the midst of the season By Shawn Star 1 1

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37. Actress Gardner 38. Person who voted for the elected official? 41. Nation with very low HDI 42. Asian gang members 43. Computer that you’re getting, dude 44. Notice 45. Hit TV show about a biker gang, ___ of Anarchy 46. Company that built two towers near Yonge and Eglinton 47. In-flight small talk? 50. Common car type 53. Street Fighter character 54. Numerical conclusion 55. Like a blustery tunnel? 62. Story 63. Where you can hear an aria 64. Irish name for it’s own land 65. Mix 66. Pick-up artist 67. Blue-green colour

TORONTO TODAY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2012

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1. Sheer 5. Lessen 10. Dry 14. Tel Aviv plane 15. Farm machine 16. National cops 17. Flirtation ace? 19. What a tattletale does 20. High card 21. Pass on 22. What there would have been if Jesus didn’t show up? 29. Path 30. World governing body for track and field 31. Handheld gaming device 34. Claudio ___, thought to have been Pele’s successor 35. One to be made a certain member of nobility

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ACROSS

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DOWN 1. Kitten noise 2. Yale student 3. Took off 4. Largest of the deer species 5. Counters 6. There are four in a diamond 7. Shutdown shortcut, (with Ctrl and Del) 8. Golf prop 9. Make a mistake 10. Succeeding before 11. Ocean habitat 12. Still 13. Camera type 18. Created 21. Disprove 22. Cat cries 23. Common additive to salt 24. Subtlety 25. James Bond’s school 26. Home for military planes 27. Mixed greens

28. Eastern weight systems 31. Creative right to something 32. Thin 33. Sitting room 35. Major company in a 2001 scandal 36. Getting older 39. What announcer says when someone scores a goal 40. Norse god 46. Hawaiian destination 47. Necessity of life 48. Rapper who doesn’t actually have a PhD 49. Easily 50. Planes out of commission since ‘03 51. State, in Paris 52. Surrealist painter 55. “Impressive!” 56. Stock launch 57. Matrix hero 58. Allow 59. Draw 60. Time period 61. Family mem.

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