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Top 5 pre-holiday shopping tips |
1- Make a list of all family, friends, co-workers, service providers (e.g., mailman) that you need to buy something for. Involve your kids in this process, by first having them help make the list and even draw pictures of each person. Voila, you have managed to kill two birds with one stone. You now have beautiful or potentially humorous (depending on your kids' artistic abilities) holiday cards to include with the gifts...or make life simple and get your cards at printcess design and save with your mummycard.
 2- Use the internet to do some preliminary research on where to go and what to buy. Check out mummieslist's mummycard savings to give you ideas and savings from over 300 vendors in and around Montreal.
3- Plan your shopping schedule. For example: 10am: shop for kids at Jack & Jill on Queen Mary. 11am: shop for girlfriends at Sox Box 12PM: hit Linen Chest at Rockland Mall for some beautiful platters for Mom and a bathrobe for Dad 1PM: get to Cinema Guzzo on L'Acadie to buy movie passes for your babysitters, co-workers, mailman etc.
4 - You are off to the races. Make sure you make it fun for the kids, by giving them tasks at each store. For example, each child can help look for different items. One child can pay and the other can help carry the bags. If all else fails, BRING SNACKS! Snacks are always good distractions!
5- Finally, get your husband to take care of anything you still haven't got too!... and then treat him to a romantic supper at Table 51 (Laval) or San Lorenzo (Little Italy). |
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Top 5 ways to get your holiday shopping done right!
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 1- Shop during the year and stock up. See a great sale? Find something perfect for Aunt Sally in June? Get it and store it. That way you won't be as overwhelmed in November/December. Remember to always check our additional promotions section....need toys Danawares warehouse sale happening December 10th-17th, save up to 70%
2-. Budget. Make sure you stay on budget. Set a gift amount for each person and then add it up. You should stay within 5% of your budget.
3-Beware of duty and shipping costs. When shopping online you might want to stay with online retailers that have friendly Canadian delivery policies. You don't want to order something and then get stuck with a huge duty fee or shipping cost. check out some of mummieslist on-line vendors and save with your FREE 2011 mummycard 4- Extras? Absolutely. See a great sale item that would work for multiple people/occasions? Go ahead and get it and stock up on gifts for birthdays, anniversaries, mothers day etc...at other times during the year. 5- Have fun! Shopping should be fun so remember to treat yourself to a little something! Even if it is just a hot chocolate between stores! Remember to be efficient and multi task! Check out which Second Cups offer the mummycard savings and take care of those teachers gifts while sipping that hot chocolate. |
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Top 5 kid-friendly tips for the holiday season: |
1- Remember, it doesn't have to be perfect. Have kids wrap presents. If you are concerned about cutting and taping then use plain brown wrapping and have the kids decorate using arts and crafts from Bilabaloo, Golteez, Art Enfant, Jack & Jill, or Oink Oink..
2- Keep kids healthy during the holidays. While it's okay to indulge a bit, always keep healthy choices around for children. Why not chocolate dipped fruit rather than cookies? How about a veggie dip instead of chips and dip? Fressers has some great healthy choices and they deliver!
3- Use children's art work as cards. Have a favourite piece of art work from your child's collection? Take a picture of it and then upload it to Sticker you for some great present labels.
4- Cook and bake together. A family in the kitchen is a wonderful thing. Put some music on and follow a recipe together. Even the youngest children can help form cookies or stir a batter. Not into baking, take your kids and choose some fun cookies or pastries from Jennifer Cakes,
L &V Sweets, Lainey Cakes, Le Bilboquet Westmount,
Maison Mallet, Mimimelon and Sollys.
5- Making gifts. Kids love to make art or special crafts. These are the best gifts for grandparents, aunts and uncles. Who doesn't love a mug made & decorated by a child, or a special necklace made of beautiful beads. Ask Vila Woo at happyimagination or Michelle the Bead Lady. |
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 Give and you shall receive at Victoria Park! When you purchase a Victoria Park gift card*, receive a gift for yourself - a choice of:
- 100g Thann Body Butter
- A Jane Iredale's Magic Mitt makeup remover glove, or
- A Victoria Park Spa music CD so you can continue your relaxation even after you leave our oasis.
How's that for good Karma this holiday season? Keep it simple and order online here or call 514.488.7722 to take advantage of our complimentary shipping.
Golteez toys in Cote St. Luc shopping center has got th e hottest toy this holiday season! New from Hasbro, It's a two in one. Build a transformer or a car. For kids who love to create and build. Amazing Ratings! Save 10% with your mummycard.
 Cadeaux Kelly Green has the sweetest toy for any infant. (My 6 year old still uses his to go to bed). The Twilight Turtle is a plush toy that transforms any room into a starry night sky to help comfort children to sleep. Can be purchased at Cadeaux Kelly Greene mummycard saving applies
Boutique Pinkrubi is a speciality gift store with a div erse selection of products...Check out this Wine Caddy. These high heel WINE CADDIES are this years TRENDIEST accessory to dress up your table for any occasion, especially during the holidays!
Take advantage of this special offer from Studio Vie:and get into shape. 10 classes pre or postnatal fitness classes for the price of 12!
Stay tuned to our facebook  page this week featuring gift ideas and gift giveaways during the holiday season
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Final 5 Holiday Shopping Tips |
1- Do your shopping at off-peak hours. Beat the crazy rush and try to go first thing in the morning or 10-4 mon-friday when things are a bit calmer.
2- Check the Weather! Make sure you shop on snow-storm free days!
3- This one is a no brainer...start early! Waiting for the last minute usually means spending more and getting "generic" gifts.
4- Save receipts in a binder or accordian envelope. You'll want to keep track of what you spent and where you got it in case you need to make any returns.
5- Remember to cherish family. The holidays can be a hectic time. Look around and cherish those around you.
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