christmas tips from a girl who loves christmas

Oh hello there! All of the sudden we're half way through Novemeber and OMG, what? how? This is bananas. If you've been reading my blog or following me for a while then you know how much I LOVE Christmas (actually, love is an understatement) and since I want everyone to be as stoked as Christmas as me, I thought I'd share some fun posts. This one is about getting ready for Christmas early to ensure maximum happiness and organization throughout the season!

// plan out your holiday schedule: planning is happening in full force in the whish household that's for sure! we chose our christmas party date in like early october (lol) and i've been filling our shared calendar and my planner up day by day and trying to squeeze everything in. two things i never seem to have a dedicated day for - christmas card making + christmas baking day (hopefully changing that this year!)

// get your invites out early: my goal is to always be the first party/celebration on peoples lists! haha. but for real, you need to plan ahead for these types of things since people have such jam packed schedules. lock in those amazing plans people, it's the most wonderful time of the year!

// pay attention to online sales + deals: ok, so i have to admit i tend to get to a point where i ignore literally every email i get with online deals and sales. howeverrrrr, i will say that at this time of year it's time to pay attention to what's on sale where and where all the awesome deals are! that way, if there is a gift you're on the hunt for, you have an idea of the best place to get it. time to open those emails, hit up some promo codes and see where the deals at.

// start shopping early: this year, more than ever before i am all about shopping early. i'd say i'm already about 60% done my shopping and babbby, it feels good. i'll admit that i never quite want to be at the point where i'm 100% done shopping by like end of november or something. because to me, part of the fun is definitely the idea of that last minute hustle and bustle (and trying to spread a little joy and kindness during this time)

// order/purchase your cards now: i placed our order for our christmas cards and labels this week to make sure they arrive by end of november. i tend to go a bit overboard on the number of cards i send out (shocking, i know!) and i scrounge last minute to ensure they are all written out, filled with cute stickers, mailed etc. there are so many cool places that do custom cards like vistaprint, parabo press and minted.

// pick up hostess gifts: i love bringing a little something to our friends or family members who are hosting festive parties, events etc. while i'm out and about or shopping online i keep my eyes peeled for a nice, meaningful yet reasonably priced gift. things i love or have done in the past ; baked goods, homemade baileys, cookbooks, wine, a nice candle or some homemade baked goods!

// make your lists and check them twice: how can one prepare for the season of all seasons without making lists? i live for this sh*t! and i've been listing away prepping for my favourite time of year. list of people to write out cards to, lists of fun things to do at christmas, lists of gifts to buy, lists of crafts to do and so much more!

My Christmas To-Do-List!

It's the MOST wonderful timeeee of the year. ♥ Ok, can you even believe it? Christmas is less than a month away! Ooh boy it's going to be a good one. We've got a jam packed schedule of amazing things, and then on boxing day we're heading to California! ♥ Omg, so exciteddd :)

This Christmas is extra special (aren't they all!?) Because it's our first Christmas in our house! We moved in just after Christmas last year! I've done lots of decorating and this week we'll be getting our tree. I love real trees so much and am so excited to get ours and decorate it

Alright, so here it is..my Christmas to do list:
+ Get festive specials!
+ Go look at the Christmas windows at The Bay
+ Go see ELF, the musical
+ Watch Home Alone & Home Alone 2 in sequence
+ Order a plan cheese pizza ;)
+ Host our annual Christmas party
+ Have a baking day & make lots of delicious treats
+ Get a real tree & decorate it!
+ Go to the Toronto Christmas Market
+ Make our own Egg Nog! (yasss please)
+ Host our 8th annual Bestie Secret Santa at our place
+ Make our own homemade baileys
+ Do some hand lettering to Christmas quotes
+ Spread some anonymous Christmas love around Toronto
+ Go to the Evergreen Winter Market
+ Make a gingerbread house with Ivy & Jimmy
+ Do Christmas craftsssss
+ Get cute Christmas cards made
+ Volunteer over the holidays
+ Make a fresh Christmas wreath for our front door
+ Make a delicious Christmas punch
+ & Mail out lots of Christmas cards to friends & fam near and far
+ Watch alllll of my favourite Christmas movies (that's a lot)
+ Go to St.Lawrence Market
+ Make some DIY gifts
+ Drink lots of delicious hot toddies
+ Have a sleepover with the fam!
+ Go see the Christmas tree at Nathan Phillip's Square
+ Go on a Peppermint Mocha date
+ Go to some Christmas markets & craft shows
+ Go ice skating at an outdoor rink
+ Snuggle, obviously

christmas in toronto!

Oh hey! Not sure if you knew this, but I *kinda* love Christmas!

Since we're at the start of the BEST & busiest season ever, I thought it would be fun to do a little round up of fun events, markets, and happenings going on in Toronto around the holidays ♥

I've been making a list (and checking it twice, obvi) over the last few weeks of things I always love to do in Toronto, and also searching the net for some more fun stuff! So, before your calendars get fully booked as they do, take a look at all these amazing things below and make plans with lots of special people in your life. Enjoy! 'Tis the season to be jolly.

A L L   S E A S O N    L O N G //

Toronto Christmas Market - November 16th - December 23rd

The Winter Village at Evergreen Brickworks - Every weekend in December

Free skating at Nathan Phillips Square - Starting November 25th

One of a Kind Christmas Show - November 23rd - December 3rd

Festive Specials from Swiss Chalet - November - until probably January? (lol)

Admire the Christmas windows at The Bay - November - January

N O V E M B E R // 
Tree Lighting at The Eaton Centre - November 16th
The Toronto Santa Clause Parade - Sunday, November 19th
Cavalcade of lights -
Elf, the musical - November 21st - 26th
Hanson - "Finally, it's Christmas" show - November 24th & 25th
Pixel & Bristle Winter Market - November 25th
Bad Girls Market - November 25th
Swedish Christmas Fair - November 25th - 26th
This is Local Holiday Pop-Up Night Market - November 30th

D E C E M B E R //
Drunk Feminist Films (Die Hard) - December 2nd
City of Craft - December 8th - 10th
The Jingle Ball - December 9th
Home alone in Concert - December 1st - 2nd
Toronto I Heart Beer Festival - December 9th
The Leslieville Holiday Market - December 16th
Crown Flora Holiday Market - December 16th & 17th
The Nutcracker - December 23rd

Hygge Themed Gift Guide

Oh hello my loves! I was able to sneak in this blog post tonight after one amazingly crazy busy weekend! Knocked a lot more things of my Christmas to-do list :) 12 more days!

So, I haven't been able to share much about this on my blog yet, but one of my favourite things in life right now is something called Hygge ♥ (and I have a feeling you will love it soon too)

"In essence, hygge means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people. The warm glow of candlelight is hygge. Friends and family – that’s hygge too. There's nothing more hygge than sitting round a table, discussing the big and small things in life. Perhaps hygge explains why the Danes are the happiest people in the world?"

I decided to share a Hygge inspired gift guide for you all!:

1. The little book of Hygge by Penguin Books - I started reading this and I am already SO in to it. I have been so busy lately that I haven't had much time for reading but once we are moved in to our new place I will be getting cosy in my jammies and reading the whole thing

2. Muskoka Campfire Candle from Smells like Canada - I know the lovely and talented gal responsible for these amazing creations. Natalie is awesome and she hand makes all of these candles from her own home! Not only are they Canadian AF but they smell SO good. Candles are also the most hygge thing ever.

3. The cosiest reading socks ever from Chapters! I know the idea of getting specific socks for reading is crazy, but when it's -20 and you're trying to stay warm inside, these will make you so so happy.

4. The most delicious coffee with an awesome mug to match from Calgary Heritage Roasting Co! I love these guys, and not only are they ridiculously handsome, but they make some SERIOUSLY delicious coffee, not to mention some really wonderful merch.

5. Some wonderful (and beautiful) tea from Sloane Tea! I love Sloane Tea especially because the tins are literally just so gorgeous. After you drink up and feel warm and cosy, you can use your 

6. Matches in a jar from Urban Outfitters - Because let's be honest, how cute are matches in general? And very Hygge! I have a little jar of them and I love the way they look styled on a book shelf. They are perfect to the light your hygge candles to get you feeling cosy to the max.

Hey Jules Christmas To-Do List!

h a p p y   s u n d a y ////

So, this weekend was legit insane. It was so lovely, so great. It's officially Christmas time because 'tis the season where I plan a million things in one weekend so I can make sure I get to do everything. Friday night my cutie pie niece Ivy slept over and we watched Christmas movies and did crafts! Saturday I went for a walk to do some Christmas shopping and then met my bestie her her fam at the one of a kind show! It was pretty good, and I managed to buy some Christmas gifts from my favourite vendors. After the show Pete and I headed to meet up with friends for festival specials and then the lighting of the big Christmas tree downtown. Today we went to see our new house again (ah, yay!) and had a nice visit with our parents and my bro and Mikey. I've spent the rest of today getting out more Christmas decorations and also starting to pack (about 3 weeks to go!) - Now, Pete is at the Grey Cup and I am (finally) watching Gilmore Girls(!!!)

Every year I come up with a Christmas To-Do List to keep me on track for maximum Christmas cheer, because this is obviously something very important to me, lol. Here's this years edition:

• Do hand written Christmas prints! & share them
• Have a baking day
• Host our annual Christmas party (my first one as a Whish!)
• Watch the Toronto Santa Clause Parade
• Try a new dessert recipe
• Get festive specials
• Go to the Toronto Christmas Market
• See the Christmas windows at The Bay
• Go see the giant Christmas tree at The Eaton Centre
• Go to the Cavalclade of the lights
• Watch all of my Christmas movies
• Decorate our (real) Christmas tree, even though we move very soon
• Do a Christmassy DIY blog post
• Listen to Snowed In (hanson's christmas album!)
• Go skating outside at an outdoor rink
• Eat Candycane Icecream
• Make mulled wine
• Make at least one handmade Christmas gift
• Have a Christmas movie day with Ivy
• Watch White Christmas was my Mom
• Make a new Christmas cocktail
• Drink bailey's and watch Christmas movies with Pete
• Spread some Christmas love around Toronto
• Mail lotssss of Christmas cards to friends all over
• Attend three local Christmas markets
• Have a Christmas craft day
• Go to St.Lawrence Market for fresh groceries and flowers

christmas snail mail // tips on sending packages

H A P P Y   D E C E M B E R   1 S T

It's finally here! December, I've been waiting for you! Christmas is in FULL effect now and I could not be more excited. As you can tell, lots of festive posts happening on the blog for the next few weeks. ♥

Tonight I am talking about sending Christmas snail mail - which is something I absolutely love to do, and generally do each year without a doubt. There is something extra special about sending mail around the holidays and I always do my best to send as much as I can.

Although it's wonderful to send mail, it can also be very expensive, especially in Canada. I've learned that mailing larger packages can cost a lot of dough - sometimes even more than what is inside the parcel. So my trick for this year, is still sending a package, but keeping it small, light, and flat! This is totally possible and less than half of the cost of sending a larger and heavier package.

I spent some extra time searching for cute little things to go inside the package, and I found this adorable envelopes from Marshall's that were PERFECT for my new and improved Christmas parcels!

Inside I included a letter, a Christmas card, and of course a lot of cute-as-can-be confetti plus some cute goodies I picked up here and there and wrapped up.

The earlier you send them the better, so you don't have to pay extra to get them there quickly in a shorter amount of time. If you go to your local post office you will find a little slip listing postage dates to keep tabs! Here are a list of perfect little gifts to include in your holiday packages this year!

+ stickers

+ gift labels

+ notebook

+ passport holder

+ card

+ stationery

+ magazine/small book

+ pen/pencil

+ 4x6 print

+ small piece of jewellery

Unwrapped - Forever 21 Holiday Event!

Happy Sunday // Official kick off to the Christmas season everyone! ♥

A few weeks back I had the pleasure of leading a DIY craft station at the Forever 21 Holiday Event in Toronto. The event was held at an awesome new bar in Toronto called Thoroughbred (the food and drinks were perfection and I can't wait to go back)

This year, Forever 21's events were DIY themed which as you can imagine, is totally me! When the wonderful ladies at ASCPR asked if I could host a DIY Christmas craft station, I was 110% on board. All of the guests of the event got to get crafty with me and got to go home with something creative and sparkly that they made themselves. I loved leading this because I heard so many people say how they aren't crafty or hadn't done a DIY in forever, and after spending some time at the table with all the glitter and bling, they realized just how much fun crafting can be! There was also a cookie decorating station for everyone to decorate their cookie of choice.  #domestic

For our crafts we did Christmas Ornament Bulbs ; the guests of the event got to choose what they wanted to put inside, sequins, sparkles, bells, holly, and F21 jewels that they put inside or took apart and added to the fun! Everyone was so creative and lovely!

They could also stamp mini burlap bags with stamps or hand paint them! Everyone took their creation home in a  brown paper bag that was customized with holiday stamps and a Forever 21 tag.

I am loving the holiday collection at Forever 21, I bought a pretty dress from there to wear at the event and stocked up on all of the most sparkly jewellery ever. I am going to be back soon to pick up a few more dresses for my Christmas parties! I obviously need to wear a different one to each party. Duh!

Below are some photos from the event, mostly my crafting paradise :