Gifts for Dads and Grads
Top 6 Gifts for Dads and Grads by Rachel Naud It’s a time for celebration! With Father’s Day around the corner and graduations from high school and university approaching, many families will be shopping for that perfect way to gift to mark the occasion. Whether the graduate in your house has hit that milestone or you want to show Dad how much you love him we have some great gift ideas for you. Gifts for Dads eBay Refurbished Dads never want us to spend too much for Father’s Day, which is why shopping eBay Refurbished is so perfect! The program has a huge selection of premium brands that Dads love. He can choose from brands like Apple, Bose and Miele—but at a discounted price, which Dads really love! Plus, high quality is guaranteed with rigorous program standards, and all items are backed with 1 or 2-year warranties and eBay’s Money Back Guarantee, so there’s no sacrificing quality or peace of mind for savings. If your Dad is a tech guy, you can gift him a big-ticket item like this Apple iPad mini for a fraction of the cost. eBay Refurbished is so cool because they now have different condition grades — from Certified Refurbished to Excellent, Very Good and Good — so there are lots of options to fit any budget! Libman Upright Dustpan and Broom Set If you have a weekend warrior dad who loves to putter in the garage or workshop and keep his domain organized and clean, he’s going to appreciate this. The Libman Upright Dustpan and Broom Set has a built-in tilt that when opened, locks and leaves open—which means no leaning or bending for Dad. It’s a total back-saver! This is perfect for sweeping up sawdust, dirt and even grass clippings! It’s also a space saver with its built-in clips to keep the set together, which helps keep it all organized and handy! You can pick it up at Home Depot. Gifts for Grads Old Spice Reserve Collection If you have a graduate who is sweating the next phase in life, this Old Spice Red Reserve Collection will help guide them to the next phase in life with a boost of confidence. This premium collection — which comes in body wash and deodorant — comes in three new scents: Dynasty, Royalty and Sea Spray. The thing is: if you smell good you feel good, which is going to give you that boost in self-esteem. Old Spice has a great
3 Ways to Suit Up for Prom 2022
3 Ways to Suit Up for Prom 2022 By Arianne Mae Granada Roll up your sleeves and put your dancing shoes on because prom is finally back! It is time to suit up for Prom 2022! (WARNING: Marvel reference ahead!) Still can’t have a sensation of the prom fever? Think of it this way: two years ago, Thanos snapped his fingers and took away the biggest events of your teen’s life — prom night, graduation day and spring break. And in a snap (pun intended!), they’ve all been brought back to life. That is their version of the blip. After 2 years of cancelled plans and dampened expectations, the long-awaited prom season is upon us once again. Prom can be a great opportunity to communicate and help you to connect with your teen. The highly anticipated celebration is set to be welcomed back with doubled excitement and 110 percent energy. Considered a huge milestone in every teen’s life, prom is definitely the special occasion they would invest their time and money on. Whether your teen is a first-time goer, a soon-to-be graduate throwing a “make-up prom,” or a hopeless romantic staging a promposal, it’s important that they put together the perfect ensemble to make it worth remembering. Along with failed dalgona coffee attempts and DIY haircuts, we’re leaving boring prom OOTDs behind in 2020. It’s time to suit up and welcome this year’s prom season with creativity and self-discovery. Whether you prefer an unconventional look over the usual prom dresses, or you want to put on a modern take on a traditional tuxedo, there are endless ways to style a basic suit and tie, and we are here to narrow down your options. For switching up a classic The Slim-Fit Stretch Peak Lapel Tuxedo is a modern take on a fashion classic that will make anyone stand out at the prom venue. This tailored suit is available in a variety of sizes and is gender-neutral… because there are no rules when it comes to fashion! For a chill night For a more casual look, this Slim-Fit Stretch Suit is available in five different colours including grey, pink and light blue, delivering versatility and an instant confidence boost. For an instant upgrade TipTop.ca also offers a range of accessories from bowties to pocket squares in a variety of different colours so you can jazz up your look with a pop of colour. One thing the pandemic has taught teens and young adults alike —
5 Creative Ways To Spend Time With Mom For Mother’s Day
5 Creative Ways To Spend Time With Mom For Mother’s Day Although one day a year really isn’t enough to honour the person that gave birth to you and raised you, Mother’s Day is a great way to show mom how much you appreciate her. It turns out that finding the best gift for mom is easier than you think! Here are 5 ways to add some laughter, sweetness, and love to your Mother’s Day celebration. 1. Cook for Mom There truly is nothing like a home-cooked meal by mom and it is time to return the favour. Cook your mom her favourite meal, buy her favourite wine or cocktail and even have siblings or partners act as hostesses and waiters. Give her a 5-star dining experience at home, one she will never forget. 2. Play games to celebrate If food isn’t her thing, then why not liven up the party with some games to keep the crowd engaged and make cherished memories. Ideas like karaoke, mad libs, and bingo are always fun. We all know mom deserves a break from daily chores. You can create your own game like the “Give mom a break” game that you can create for the day. Let mom be the centre of attention by offering to do all household chores. This can be a wonderful way of showing gratitude while mom puts her feet up on her special day. 3. Something sweet for mom Who doesn’t love ice cream, especially from your favourite brand? Skip the flower store and head straight to dessert with the new Tall Stack Cake from Baskin-Robbins Canada. Customize with mom’s favourite cake and ice cream flavour topped with a special message to let her know how much she means to you. 4. Watch a movie together A budget-friendly way to stay in and avoid crowds is to let Mom cuddle up on the couch in her pyjamas! Yes, we're talking about streaming a movie! We all know that the best Mother's Day gift is quality time, so make plans to catch up and then press play on the TV with some of her favourite movie treats. 5. Get pampered At some point on Mother's Day, mom may want some time alone or a chance for a little rest and relaxation. A few ideas include a 60-minute massage to help her unwind, or by bringing her to the hair salon and treating her to a cute new cut and blowout or taking her
Video Games for Teens: Our Top 5 Picks of Each console
Video Games for Teens: Our Top 5 Picks of Each Console By Arianne Mae Granada noob no more—ever wondered about what video game is the best fit for your teen? With the pandemic forcing us to stay cooped up inside, adults and teens alike have reached for their gaming consoles for some sense of escape. This caused the gaming industry to witness massive growth during the past two years. Video games have always been part of a teen’s life — but not all video games are created equal. Some are tailored to certain gaming consoles to provide your teens with a more unique experience. Whether your teen has developed an interest in world-building games or he/she gravitates towards fantasy action adventures, there will always be a video game suited for your teen gamer’s taste and platform. Spare them the video game talk and don’t even sweat about the research because we’ve rounded up our top picks of video games for teens. #1 Sony PlayStation Video Games Game title: Spider-Man: Miles Morales Available in: PS4 and PS5 Age restrictions: 13 and up Game description: Inspired by the 2018 animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse, this action-adventure game is about teenager Miles Morales following the footsteps of his mentor, Peter Parker, into becoming his very own Spider-Man. With trouble underway in his hometown, Harlem, it’s up to you (or your teen, rather) to save the neighbourhood! Spider-Man: Miles Morales is another fine addition to the plethora of superhero games that are making a resurgence in the past few years. This one is guaranteed to tickle that web-swinging itch. #2 Xbox Series X Video Games Game title: Halo Infinite Age restrictions: 13 and up Game description: The latest installment in Master Chief’s saga has been nothing short of mind-blowing. Taking place well after the events of Halo 5: Guardians, Halo Infinite aims to end the informal “Reclaimer Trilogy” in style. Halo Infinite has brought back nostalgia adorned with all the newest bells and whistles. Open world Halo? Yes, please. #3 Nintendo Switch Games Game title: Ring Fit Adventure Age restrictions: 7 and up Game description: Work up a sweat while traversing various dungeons to defeat the bodybuilding dragon named Dragaux. This exercise role-playing game makes use of real physical activities using a Ring-Con Accessory that senses the player’s movements. Think it’s time for your teen to get moving? This game may just be it. #4 PC Games Game title: The Sims 4 Age restrictions: 12 and up Game description: This timeless classic has only gotten
5 Easter Brunch Must-Haves
5 Easter Brunch Must-Haves Hosting an Easter Brunch is a great alternative to hosting Easter Dinner. If the weather is nice, you can set it up outside and it’s just a more laid-back, casual way of getting together to celebrate. If you’re looking to make your Easter Brunch a sweet event, we have some great ideas. Let’s hop to it! Evive Nutrition Frozen Fruit Smoothies We love the idea of presenting your guests with a make-your-own smoothie bar. This is especially great if it’s warm enough to set your brunch up outside, so the kids can play and your guests can mingle. We love these Evive Nutrition Frozen Fruit Smoothies because they’re made from organic fruit and vegetables that are flash frozen, so they seal in all the flavours and nutrients. You simply take the wheel, run it under some water to loosen it up, put it in a mason jar or shaker and cover it with whichever liquid you want – almond milk, water or juice. Let it sit and then shake it up! No blender necessary! Cuisipro Line Cookware What’s an Easter Brunch without some tasty treats? If you want to your teen to spend some time with you — get them baking! To create some tasty treats, look no further than the Cuisipro line. We love this line of cookware – it was originally developed for restaurants so you get restaurant-quality cookware without the high price tag! It’s such an innovative line that offers smart solutions in the kitchen that makes baking and cooking so enjoyable that your teen will actually want to do it with you! Bimbo Canada It’s a great idea to have an array of breads on the table to satisfy any taste and preference. Our go-to is always bread products from Bimbo Canada, the manufacturer of Dempsters, Stonemill and Villaggio bread. We love the cinnamon raisin bagels from Dempsters and, of course the Villaggio bread makes for amazing French Toast. But another reason why we feel good about putting Bimbo Canada products on our table – they are the first national bread manufacturer in North America to transition to cardboard bread bag clips on all their bread products! The cardboard clips are made from 100% recycled cardboard and are recyclable and compostable in municipal systems in 84 days. It seems like such a small change, but it will reduce our use of single-use plastic by approximately 200 metric tonnes annually,
Review: Why I chose the Endy Mattress for Our New Home
Review: Why I chose the Endy Mattress for Our New Home By Rachel Naud My family and I just moved into a new home, and we finally have an extra room for visiting friends and family to stay in. Our first task was to find a comfortable bed to put in the room for anyone staying with us, but it didn’t just have to be comfy — it had to be well-made too. Here is an honest review of the Endy mattress. When it came to mattress-shopping, the first thing we considered was comfort. Secondly, will it last? Lastly, Does the brand have fast shipping and good customer service? The Endy mattress gave us a big yes for all the checklists! Why Endy The Endy Mattress provides you with the ultimate comfort and support and is designed for every kind of sleeper, including a side sleeper, a back sleeper or a combination sleeper. Its customized high-density Endy foam is unlike traditional memory foam and will keep its feel and firmness year-round, meaning it won’t sink in during the warmer summer months or feel as hard as a rock in the winter! First Visit With my sister on route for her first visit, I was also happy to receive our Endy mattress just three days after ordering it. It arrived in an easy-to-transport box and was super easy to set up. We opted to get the simple platform bed frame to go along with it, which we easily set up in as little as 10 minutes – no tools necessary! This platform bed frame would also be ideal for university students moving into an apartment or dorm of their own as it’s so simple to set up and very reasonably priced. I will definitely keep it in mind for when my son moves out down the road. The Verdict We have enjoyed our Endy mattress for about six months now. Everyone that has come to visit has commented on how comfortable the bed is and how they were able to get a great night’s sleep. Sleeping in a new space, in a new house, can be difficult, so having a bed that facilitates a good night’s rest is a major benefit. I can also attest to its comfort as I, too, had slept in the bed when my husband was sick. It was so great to have a bed to turn to instead of the couch! I wouldn’t hesitate to
GIVEAWAY ALERT!
GIVEAWAY ALERT! We partnered with Amazon Prime Video to give you an at-home prize pack to enjoy while watching Hotel Transylvania: Transformania, which releases exclusively on Prime Video on January 14th. The latest installment is the perfect ending to an incredible journey, making Transformania the family film event of the new year. As the destination for family-friendly content, Prime Video has a wide selection of film and television to keep parents just as entertained as their children on movie night. Synopsis Drac and the pack are back, like you’ve never seen them before in Hotel Transylvania: Transformania. Reunite with your favorite monsters for an all-new adventure that presents Drac (Brian Hull) with his most terrifying task yet. When Van Helsing’s (Jim Gaffigan) mysterious invention, the 'Monsterification Ray,’ goes haywire, Drac and his monster pals are all transformed into humans, and Johnny (Andy Samberg) becomes a monster! In their new mismatched bodies, Drac, stripped of his powers, and an exuberant Johnny, loving life as a monster, must team up and race across the globe to find a cure before it’s too late, and before they drive each other crazy. With help from Mavis (Selena Gomez) and the hilariously human Drac Pack, the heat is on to find a way to switch themselves back before their transformations become permanent. The film also features the voices of Kathryn Hahn (Ericka), Steve Buscemi (Wayne), Molly Shannon (Wanda), David Spade (Griffin the Invisible Man), Keegan-Michael Key (Murray), Fran Drescher (Eunice), Brad Abrell (Frank) and Asher Blinkoff (Dennis). Giveaway contents Hotel Transylvania blanket, popcorn bowl with popcorn seasonings, and game Giveaway value: $150 How to Enter: Follow @inbetweenzine and @primevideoca on Instagram Tag who you will be watching this movie with Don't forget to #HotelTransylvania Deadline to enter: Jan 20, 2022 Good luck! *Winners are chosen through a random draw.
10 Gift Ideas for the Whole Family
10 Gift Ideas for the Whole Family The countdown is on! It's less than a week from the big day, and if you're still stuck for ideas, we have plenty to fill their stockings and more! We all know the holidays can get expensive, which is why the first place we go to when doing our holiday shopping is Giant Tiger. It’s not only a one-stop shop for everything holiday but with their everyday low prices, you get great value. We love The Grinch and Giant Tiger has a lot of fun licensed Grinch items. Being a tween and a tween is the perfect time to craft your signature scent and there’s no better place to discover that than Bath & Body Works. They’ll love the new fragrance Cotton Candy Champagne in all these fun forms that they can layer on throughout their day like Shower Gel, Ultra Hydration Body Cream, Fine Fragrance Mist, and Hand Cream. If you want to make a gift memorable for your tween or teen, make it personal. Let’s face it, basically, anything you can put their face on, they’re going to love. We thought it would be fun to get them some gifts they love and need but with a twist so we went online to the Staples Solutionshop and chose from fun gifts. They have so many options for personalized gifts that you can find on staples.ca. For the person on your list who loves to try beauty products, the pink perfect clay mask by Alya will give them that Insta-worthy glow — perfect for those at-home spa days over the holidays. The Pink Perfect mask is specifically formulated with ingredients like Vitamin E, Aloe Vera, and Australian Pink Clay, which works to detoxify and cleanse pores. It’s also an amazing treatment to defend the skin against pollutants, oil, dirt and toxins. When you rinse it off, your skin feels soft and amazing and leaves your complexion bright and glowing – perfect for the holidays! If you have a baker or a home chef on your list, they’re going to need a good pair of beaters for whipping up all those thick batters and sticky icings without clogging. Anyone who has ever tried to get the mashed potatoes free from the beaters by blasting it on high and then getting a hairdo of potatoes will vouch for this. We love these Easy-Clean Beaters from Hamilton Beach. They make light work out
4 Ways to Have Family Fun this Winter
4 Ways to Have Family Fun this Winter It’s cold, it’s dark and we’re all back to navigating work and school, which can make winter seem a whole lot longer. But the fun doesn’t have to stop when the temps start to plummet! A winter advent calendar, full of surprises and activities that the whole family can do together could be just what you need to get through the season, and we have some great ideas! Embrace It This year when the temperature drops, make the decision to embrace winter. Instead of hibernating indoors, start exploring areas around your city that you normally wouldn’t go to. Going on day hikes and getting fresh air is a great way to get invigorated while making fun memories at the same time! Then, after your day exploring, head into the kitchen and cook up some comfort food like beef stew or chili — what’s better than that on a cold day? Get your teen involved, too, because it's very important to teach your teens how to cook. And, if you crank the music and give them a job, it is a great way to get them talking! But remember, after a day of exploring and before you start cooking, don’t forget to wash up, because let’s face it — COVID-19 isn’t over. It’s still vital to keep washing our hands, so why not use a good antibacterial hand soap? Our personal favourite is this limited-edition foaming hand wash from Dial. It's tough on bacteria, while being gentle on our hands. It comes in fun, festive packaging, so it looks nice on your kitchen (and bathroom) counter, but it also smells amazing because it comes in scents like Fireside Crackle, Ice Crystals and Midnight Toast. Dial’s limited-edition, festive body washes also come in three great scents — Glacial Breeze, Sugar Shack and Sugared Plum — making them the perfect stocking stuffer for your family this year! You can pick up all of these holiday-themed items for a limited time at Walmart or Loblaws. Crank the competition Nothing gets you more heated on a cold winter's day than a good ol' fashioned family game night! Nintendo Switch is perfect for family's game night because you can play it at home on the TV, which is great for multi-player games or, of course, you can use it in hand-held mode as well. They also just launched the Nintendo Switch OLED Model, which features a 7-inch
7 Last-Minute Back-to-School Items They’ll Need
7 Last-Minute Back-to-School Items They'll Need Whether they’re heading back to class or learning online, every teen and tween likes to have some fresh new gear to start off the school year. From lunchtime must-haves to bedtime routines, we have some suggestions sure to make the grade from elementary school kids to college-bound students. All the Licensed Gear If you want to get your kid really excited about back to school, the best place to head is Toys R Us. They have everything you need to start the year off right, from licensed backpacks, water bottles and lunch boxes to fun school supplies. Grab all these items in-store or online. Suck it up If you love drinking from a straw but hate the sog factor of the paper variety, look no further than The Rice Straw. Perfect for eco-conscious parents and students, alike, this straw is actually made from rice, tapioca and organic dyes. It’s 100% natural and chemical-free. It’s completely bio-degradable, but the best part? It retains its structural integrity for up to three hours! Good To Go If your child is always starving after school, keep these Good to Go Soft-Baked Bars on hand. They have a cake-like texture that kids love, but they are also made with organic ingredients. They’re vegan, gluten-free, peanut-free, kosher and non-GMO Project Verified. They come in double chocolate, vanilla almond or blueberry cashew! Soak the Stress Away Heading back to school this year (especially after a year of being in and out of school) can be a bit stressful and anxiety-filled, which is why this Dr. Teals Melatonin Collection is great for bedtime routines. It’s infused with beneficial vitamins, minerals, essential oils and Melatonin to restore and rejuvenate both mind and body, while promoting a good night’s sleep. Available at Walmart and Shoppers Drug Mart. Safely Sanitize For students heading back to class, hand sanitizers are going to be as essential as any supply. These Spread Love, Not Germs hand sanitizers from Bath & Body Works come in a small PocketBac size, perfect for tossing in their backpacks, desks or lockers. They also come with super cute holders so they can toggle their sanitizer to their bag for easy access. Later in the year, they also make for amazing teacher gifts! On-the-Go For university students on the go, Walmart has great value overall for back to school. With this Hamilton Beach mini-blender, university or college students can quickly whip up a breakfast smoothie straight into