The Gift of Love: 9 Last-Minute Valentine Gifts for the Family
The Gift of Love: 9 Last-Minute Valentine Gifts for the Family Valentine's Day is a time to celebrate love, affection, and the special relationships we have with our loved ones. Whether you're spending it with your significant other, children, or the whole family, it's a day to show those closest to you just how much you care. Bring everyone together this Valentine's Day with thoughtful gifts that create lasting memories! From printable Valentine's Day cards to personalized presents and the classic heart-shaped chocolates, there's something for everyone. These Valentine gifts are not only thoughtful and memorable but also practical and fun, making them great for the whole family. Printable Valentine Cards Celebrate Valentine's Day with a personal touch by printing out custom cards for your loved ones. HP Printables offers a collection of Valentine's Day cards you can print, download, and share with your special someone. From traditional love notes to playful and fun designs, there's something for everyone in the collection. With the option to print at home, you can avoid the hassle and expense of buying cards from a store. Show your family and loved ones how much you care this Valentine's Day with a custom-made card from HP Printables or printables.hp.com. La Vie En Rose Valentine's Collection The special lady in your life will love La Vie en Rose's Valentine's Day selection, from lingerie to comfy pajamas. Valentine's Day is always a good time for some new lingerie, but you'll surely love these pajamas. They come in the softest peachy dream fabric you’ll ever feel. Shop all these items at your local La Vie En Rose. Yes I Am Eau de Parfum Fragrance Valentine's Day is a time to celebrate love and femininity, and what better way to do that than with the signature fragrance of an empowered woman? The Yes I Am Eau de Parfum Fragrance is the perfect gift for the strong, independent woman in your life. Whether she's your partner, mother, daughter, or friend, this fragrance will make her feel special and appreciated. Lindt Chocolates Indulge in the perfect family treat this Valentine's Day with Lindt chocolates. Chocolate is synonymous with Valentine’s Day. Give a sweet tooth the gift of bliss this Valentine’s Day with a selection of chocolate from Lindt, everyone’s favourite chocolate! The LINDOR Amour Milk Chocolate Hearts Box, LINDOR Amour Milk Chocolate Hearts 3-pack, as well as the Amour TEDDY Milk Chocolate 5-pack, are great to give as individual candy grams for your kids
Bria Singleton as Bobbi Kristina in Whitney Houston Biopic
Hitting New Notes: Bria Danielle Singleton as Bobbi Kristina in Whitney Houston Biopic By Arianne Granada Growing up, Bria Singleton was a Whitney Houston fan — her music was a mainstay in the Singleton household. Today, in a full circle moment, the rising star and actress portrays Houston's daughter, Bobbi Kristina, in the biopic I Wanna Dance With Somebody. We sat down with Singleton, to talk about how the film honours Houston's legacy and the challenges and valuable lessons she learned along the way. On Being Bobbi Kristina Taking on the role of Bobbi Kristina in the Whitney Houston biopic was a new and significant challenge for Bria Singleton. "It was such an experience because this is like a job where I haven’t had a lot of auditions for a character based on a real person," says Singleton. "I’m portraying a real person so this was an entirely new thing and this is the biggest project I've ever done." Singleton approached the role with a unique perspective, determined to find the real Bobbi Kristina behind the cameras and avoid any negative portrayals in the media. She shared, "I researched a lot on Bobbi Kristina but I tried to steer clear of what everyone was wanting to portray of her in a negative light. I wanted to find the Bobbi Kristina that was behind the cameras and just try to search for that type of conflict to where I could just get something more authentic." In her search for a deeper understanding of Bobbi Kristina, Singleton says she also found similarities between herself and her character. "I’d say that Bobbi is a lot more patient, to be honest. I think we're both very patient, but we're also very understanding, always available to help anyone and just very supportive people." Her Full-Circle Moment as a Long-Time Whitney Fan Growing up, Bria Singleton was surrounded by Whitney Houston's music. "I've been a fan since birth. My mom raised us on her. She's one of those people who was always present, never in the background. My mom used to make us watch The Bodyguard when we were young, and she still does. We'd rewatch it sometimes and just listen to her music while going on a drive, on our way to school, and waking up to it. She was just always around." Playing Bobbi Kristina in the Whitney Houston biopic was a personal and enlightening experience for Singleton; it was a full-circle moment
5 Tips for Guiding Your Child’s Social Media Use
The Social Media Battle: Examining Its Impact and Helping Our Youth Use Responsibly By Brandy Browne There is no denying that online platforms have boomed in recent years. In fact, The Mayo Clinic (2022) reports that an estimated 45 per cent of teens ages 13-17 are online “almost constantly”, with social media platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and/or Snapchat being the most popular. Social media play a huge role in influencing our youth — both positively as well as negatively, regardless of whether we use it extensively or not. For example, social media platforms are places where teens can connect with others, and in many cases, find valuable support systems that might be harder to find in person. Teens with chronic illnesses might find online support groups with other teens fighting the same battle. It is also home to a plethora of opportunities to connect with others with similar interests in hobbies, music, television, sports, etc. On the flip side, it can be damaging at times. Teens often report that social media use is the reason for losing sleep at night and getting distracted from class, homework, or chores. The Mayo Clinic also reports that teens who spend more than three hours per day on social media may have a heightened risk of developing mental health problems. The issue for teens (and let’s face it, adults as well) is that social media portrays a highlight reel for so many. It’s so easy to look at another person’s Facebook story and think they have it all together, but the reality is that we’re much more comfortable posting our joys for others to share than our sorrows. 5 Tips for Guiding Your Child’s Social Media Use We want to ensure our youth use social media responsibly, as well as make sure it improves their lives, not makes them worse. Here are some tips to help you get started. Start a conversation Social media is a powerful tool, so you should make sure your teen knows how to use it responsibly. Set the expectation that it should not interfere with school or responsibilities. It’s also a good idea to set limits on social media use at night (i.e. no electronics after a certain time of the evening) in order to maintain good sleeping habits. Monitor your teen’s social media accounts This one is controversial. I want to give my eleven-year-old child some privacy, but as her parent, I have a responsibility to keep her safe. Keeping
5 ways to make the holidays stress-free for tweens of divorce
5 ways to make the holidays stress-free for tweens of divorce By Alicia Robertson Feeling anxious about how to get through the upcoming holiday season without too much drama? You’re not alone. While the holidays can be an incredibly joyous time, they can also be extremely challenging for families who are navigating divorce—especially when you’re determined to maintain the holiday cheer for your tweens. With careful planning and consideration for everyone’s top priorities and feelings, you can still achieve a stress-free holiday for you and your tweens this year. Make sure your legal agreement is inclusive of everyone’s needs The most important starting point is with the legal agreement that you and your former partner draw up when working through your divorce. Don’t rush through this step! Take your time to make sure that your final draft is truly inclusive of everyone’s needs, which will help ensure that everyone has a really positive holiday experience. Spend time discussing and determining everyone’s priorities: yours, your former partner’s, and your tweens’. Focus on the experiences that matter right now, but remember that over time, new family traditions may emerge and that the holiday season will look different at different ages and stages for your family. Remember that this is a legal document, so you want to be as specific and clear as possible. As parents, it’s your job to enforce this agreement when necessary, especially if your tweens get upset about the plans you’ve set for the holidays. In this situation, the best thing you can do to support your tween is to listen and validate their feelings—using statements such as “thank you for sharing your feelings and desires. This is not easy and how you feel and what you want is entirely reasonable. Let’s figure out how we can work through this together”. Care for your own emotions first In order to support your tweens through the emotions they’re going through during this tough time, you have to first focus on your own emotional self-care and healing. Start by having an awareness of what new feelings are coming up for you, such as grief around the loss of family traditions, not seeing the extended family you love, etc. Try to stay out of the victim mindset and flip that script by reminding yourself that you’re not losing or missing anything. You’re safe, well, happy, free, and you can make positive choices for yourself! You'll be better equipped to meet your tweens'
19 Gifts for Every Family Member: The Ultimate Gift Guide
19 Gifts for Every Family Member: The Ultimate Gift Guide By Arianne Granada Are you having trouble finding gifts for the whole family? We don't blame you. There are a lot of people in your life that deserve to get a gift this holiday season. While we're sure they'd all love an extra pair of socks or another shirt, it's also important to give them something they'll remember and enjoy for years to come. Here are some great choices: Tissot Bellissima Small Lady Whether your mom is an artist or a businesswoman, a classic watch will always be in style — and this one from Tissot is no exception. The Bellissima Small Lady features an elegant design with a timeless rose gold finish and a custom case back engraving for an extra personal touch. She’ll love its jewelry-like feel and versatility to wear with almost any outfit. Everlast Yoga Essential Kit Have a sister that's new to yoga and wants to get fit? Maybe she's looking for a way to get in shape that's not expensive and time-consuming but offers benefits such as pain relief, reduced depression levels, and increased muscle mass? This Everlast Yoga Essential Kit might just be the perfect gift. The kit comes with three great tools: a cotton yoga strap; lightweight EVA foam bricks; and a non-slip mat with printed poses on it. The perfect gift for beginning yogis who want to build confidence in their practice as well as more advanced students who want something they can carry while travelling. Tissot Gentleman Powermatic Open Heart Have you ever wanted to pamper your Dad with a luxury gift? Well, we’ve got the perfect classic and timeless (pun intended!) gift for him. Featuring a contemporary open-heart design, the Tissot Gentleman Powermatic Open Heart is an elegant watch. Its strong curved horns create a harmonious continuation of the watch, ensuring pleasant wear around the wrist. It is a stunning piece that dad will treasure for years to come. Jack Black Refresh & Restore Set If you have an athletic brother who's always on the go and needs to start taking care of their skin, give them the Jack Black Refresh & Restore set. With a body & hair cleanser, body lotion, and face cleanser, this set meets all his daily care needs. These best-selling formulas provide him with everything he needs to look good, smell good, and feel good all day long. Eilish Eau de Parfum 2-Piece Holiday Gift Set If you have
10 Ways to Have a Very Techy Christmas
10 Ways to Have a Very Techy Christmas by Arianne Granada Know that feeling when you receive a shiny new gadget for Christmas, and you can't wait to play around with it? Yeah, that's what we'll be like on the 25th. So, whether it’s your teen who loves gaming, a friend who can never live without music, or even a grandparent that just wants to keep up with the trends—we got you covered! Acer 317 Chromebook A Chromebook is a great laptop for families who want a simple, yet powerful laptop to use at home or on the go. An intuitive interface is designed to work well for both children and adults. Acer 317 Chromebook is definitely designed for multiple users. Despite being lightweight, this device still packs enough processing power to stream music and shop online without any issues when you're out and about. Using it is as easy as it gets. With built-in Google apps like Gmail, YouTube, and Maps, you don't need to install anything else. Apple Watch SE If you're looking for the perfect gift for your fitness-crazy teen, it can be tricky. With so many options, it can be easy to become overwhelmed. Thankfully, there's one perfect gift: an Apple watch! The new generation of Apple Watch SE continues to deliver the core Apple Watch experience, all at a more affordable price. It includes health and safety features like Activity tracking, high and low heart rate notifications, Emergency SOS and all-new Crash Detection. Powered by watchOS 9, Apple Watch SE delivers more than ever before. Available in midnight, starlight or silver—or even pink!—this is sure to be their favourite Christmas present this year! Lenovo Duet 5 Now, this little gem is a great option for anyone who wants to share their favourite tablet games with their grandkids. Its touchscreen makes it a great way to play mobile games on a large screen. The effortless navigation also makes it easy to use. This ultra-thin model—with its 13.3’ lightweight display—also makes it easy to carry this laptop anywhere! Whether your grandparent wants to receive and view photos of their grandchildren or watch the news, this Lenovo laptop ensures a bright and clear image wherever they may be. iPhone 14 or iPhone 14 Plus Christmas is the perfect time to reward your hardworking teen. And we have the perfect gift idea: iPhone 14 Plus! Any teenager will be impressed with the features of this phone because it is the latest and greatest from
10 Self-Care Gifts for the Holidays
10 Self-Care Gifts for the Holidays By Arianne Granada Holiday season is a stressful time of year, especially if you’re running around trying to get everything done. With all the parties and dinners, it can be easy to neglect your own self-care. This holiday gift guide will also help make sure you don’t forget yourself while shopping for others! Aveeno Calm+Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser The thing is, dry winter months can be a major stressor for your skin. That's why it's important to keep up with your skincare routine during the colder months—especially if you have sensitive skin. Infused with nourishing oat and calming feverfew, Aveeno® Calm+Restore Nourishing Oat Cleanser gently cleanses and hydrates to maintain the skin's moisture barrier. This product gently lifts out dirt and impurities, leaving skin feeling hydrated and healthy. The perfect gift for skin enthusiasts! Genestra Sleep Gummies The holiday season is a perfect time to bring your loved ones together. But all that travelling and visiting can also lead to some pretty bad jet lag and sleeping problems. So skip the jet lag altogether with these Genestra Sleep Gummies instead! Besides helping reset the body's sleep-wake cycle, these delicious gummies help you fall asleep faster and sleep longer. 24" Rx Matrix Hollow Roller Like you, your family and friends might sometimes find themselves feeling tense and stressed. It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of a holiday season and neglect the body's needs. An effective foam roller can help relieve muscle tension, improve circulation, improve flexibility, and promote relaxation. Foam rollers are also great for getting a workout! Everlast's 24-inch Rx Matrix Hollow Roller penetrates deep into muscles for a relaxing massage. It is lightweight and portable, so you can transport it from home to the gym and when you're on the go. By combining a hollow core with a linear matrix design, it provides full-body relief for both large and small muscles. Jack Black's The Balm Squad The right lip balm is like a best friend—it’ll never fail you, and it will always be there to comfort you. This winter season, Jack Black's soothing Moisture Therapy Lip Balms SPF 25 make a great gift. In addition to providing long-lasting hydration and smooth lips all year-round, these award-winning flavours also protect lips from the sun. Remember to use them daily to maintain smooth lips throughout the colder months. Tom Ford Oud Wood Candle While you're stressing about what to get your loved ones this holiday season,
7 Ways to Jumpstart Your Holiday Shopping
7 Ways to Jumpstart Your Holiday Shopping by Rachel Naud No matter how much you love someone, finding the perfect gift is never easy. And when you're trying to get gifts for the whole family, it can seem downright impossible. Whether you're looking for a gift for your favourite kid or a stocking stuffer for your favourite adult, we've got you covered. Unique Gifts for Less The holidays can get expensive, which is why the first place to look for gifts is Giant Tiger. There, you can find unique gifts, like these fun light-up gnomes and mystery squishymallows, which are very popular right now. Alternatively, this great cocoa set would make a great stocking stuffer—and it's less than $20 each! It doesn’t matter who is on your list, you can find gifts that say more, for less at Giant Tiger or online at GiantTiger.com! Charcuterie Boarding School For the person on your list who likes to entertain and put together charcuterie boards, you can get them some pickled veggies to bring their board to the next level! Matt & Steves is a Canadian company that makes snacking social and fun with their pickled veggies and snacks! From their Extreme Pickle Spears that come in hot & spicy and garlic & dill to their baby dills, Asparagoos and Extreme Bean, there’s something delicious for everyone to enjoy! A Cheers-Worthy Holiday Celebration You might want to give these three brands to a mixologist or someone who enjoys a festive cocktail over the holiday season. Harveys Bristol Cream Sherry First up is Harveys Bristol Cream Sherry, which is perfect for having an after-dinner sipper because this cream cherry is full-bodied and rich with a mellow sweetness. Serve it chilled, over ice with a slice of orange or mix it in a cocktail. It makes for a fantastic gift for any wine lover with a sweet tooth because it goes perfectly with any sweet pastry! Stoli Vodka For the cocktail lover on your list, this Stoli Vodka, which has been around for 80 years, is made in Latvia and is a high-quality premium spirit. It's such a must-have spirit to have over the holidays and year-round because it has a perfectly smooth and consistent flavour. You can also use it for martinis or just add a splash of soda! Kentucky Owl Wiseman Bourbon Whiskey Surprise those whiskey lovers on your list with Kentucky Owl Wiseman Bourbon Whiskey. It’s new to Canada and has hints of maple, pecan and allspice to
Your Picky Teen Will Love These 5 Gifts
Your Picky Teen Will Love These 5 Gifts By Rachel Naud Tweens and teens can be the toughest people to shop for. Buy something cringey and cute, and you get the eye rolls! But don’t worry, we’ve got a few gift ideas that are sure to please your pickiest people! For the Film Fanatic Teen Love going to the movies over the holidays? Make teens' stockings more memorable by giving them Cineplex gift cards that they can use either with their parents or with their friends. Spend $50 or more on Cineplex gift cards (either the plastic card or online) and you'll receive a holiday gift bundle with more than $60 worth of coupons for things like free admission, free popcorn, discounted food, free movie ticket upgrades, and more! With this holiday bundle, your teen can also play games, eat, and be entertained at The Rec Room with friends! The offer is on now and runs until Dec. 31! You can pick it up in theatres, at cineplex.com, or at The Rec Room or therecroom.com For the Fashionista Teen These stylish Joe Fresh Knits & Jewelry from Shoppers Drug Mart will appeal to any fashionista on your gift list. Changing up your winter wardrobe is always fun, and this season, Ombre All Day is the theme of this stylish and cozy hat and scarf. These cute toques and mittens will make you smile - especially this pom-pom toque! With everything from bracelets and necklaces to earrings, Joe Fresh jewelry has everything your teen could need to celebrate the holidays in style. For the Skincare-Savvy Teen Everyone wants to look and feel their best—especially our teens—and this Proactiv system will help them put their best face forward this holiday season. It’s an easy 3-step system—you just cleanse, tone and treat! Dermatologists developed the original Proactiv system to treat existing acne and help prevent future breakouts, which is also important. And to make it even easier, you can unlock exclusive savings when you purchase the 3-step system as a subscription including a free gift. To get more info and to buy the system, visit getproactiv.ca. For the Glamorous Teen Make the perfect holiday-glam look for the glamorous teen on your list with COVERGIRL Exhibitionist Stretch & Strengthen Mascara! It's formulated with Peptides, Biotin and Pro-Vitamin B5 for a lash extension effect that lifts, stretches, and adds volume all day long! With its wavy bristles and wavy design, the brush reaches every lash from
Gift the Unexpected: 3 Unique ‘Gifts for Good’ Ideas that Help Children Worldwide
Gift the Unexpected: 3 Unique ‘Gifts for Good’ Ideas that Help Children Worldwide by Fred Witteveen My family, perhaps like yours, has an annual holiday tradition. Every year, no matter where we are, we make the same Christmas breakfast. We prepare our special crepes, the recipe handwritten on a stained decades-old 3x6 card. As a family, we have moved often and even relocated abroad for a time. Change is a constant for us, but so are those pancakes. My daughter, now 28, grew up on them; I figure she downed hundreds over the years before leaving her now empty-nester parents. As a result of COVID last year, we spent the holidays miles apart in New York and Toronto. Even quarantine could not stop us; we laughed together as we flipped crepes made with our special recipe over Zoom. Holiday Traditions Children everywhere love traditions (parents, too), and traditions make memories. Celebrating Giving Tuesday (November 29) is a tradition in our family, too. It marks the largest global movement of generosity and signals the start of the holiday season. If you're writing up your family's holiday wish list this year, consider including some 'gifts for good' that will make a lasting difference to vulnerable children worldwide and create a new family tradition. Children Believe is a charity that supports more than 1.2 million children, youth and community members annually. They release their Gifts for Good catalogue every year. It features gifts that can help break the barriers to education that millions of children, particularly girls, endure in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Nicaragua and Paraguay—countries where Children Believe serves. All 54 gifts featured in the Gifts for Good catalogue will support children and their families to overcome the challenges they face, not only during the holiday season but all year long. Here are three of my favourite picks that I hope might make your family’s list this holiday season, too. Goats – the Gift Of All Time? Being the GOAT – what younger generations recognize to mean the “Greatest Of All Time” – may be an accolade given to sports stars, but we think real goats are the “Gift Of All Time”. Why? Goats have proven to be useful in developing countries as a source of milk, fertilizer, and income for vulnerable families. Parents can use these funds for their children’s school fees and supplies. You can help a family for a year by giving a goat ($100 per goat, $250