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    How to Survive Post-Holiday Depression

    All of December is spent preparing for the holidays. And let’s face it: it can be too much. Our efforts go towards planning and organizing holiday dinners and parties. We spend more than we can afford on gifts and decorations. We see family and friends day after day. But after all the hype and adrenaline has run out, what’s left? In a short few hours, all of that time, money and socialization is gone. If you’re anything like the 20% of Canadians who experience anxiety, then you’re struggling to get through the last few days before work or school resume. Here are some strategies to get you through until your…

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    8 Shows to Binge Watch Over the Holidays

    The winter break is coming and you finally have free time to catch up on TV shows. But what should you watch while your favourites are on their winter hiatus? The following shows are some of my top picks to dive into during this break: Shameless Each minute of every episode of Shameless contains its own bit of drama. This show focuses on Fiona and her siblings, showing how they make their lives work with questionable parents. It’s a quick series to catch up on, with only 12 episodes in each season. You’re going to want to catch up quickly since the US sixth season premieres on January 10th. The first…

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    Last Minute Shoppers’ Survival Guide

    Are the holidays sneaking up faster than you expected? Are you realizing that your free time is non-existent? Everyone is busy leading up to the holidays and you’ve probably chosen sleeping in and watching movies over braving the masses at the mall. Here are a few tips that will help you make it to your holiday parties unscathed, gifts in hand. Online Orders Though some may think it’s foolish to order online so late in the holiday shopping game, if you order from places with quick delivery times (like Amazon or Chapters) you can get your shopping done without even leaving your house. Have a Game Plan Browsing is not…

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    Chicken Pox Christmas

    For over 23 Christmases I’ve received a significant number of gifts that would make any child happy. And though I could go in to detail, I’m not sure how much mass appeal there is in article titled: “Graham Lists His Christmas Gifts, Which is Mostly Video Games But With the Odd Pair of Socks and Underpants.” As such, I’ll use this time to remember the tender and nostalgic moments I’ve experienced over the holidays. Those gentle and quiet moments of familial bonding, wherein I, an only child, became closer to my parents and family. I remember once I uh…We…Um…There was a uh…There were some relatives visiting and uh… Ok wait,…

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    Multi-Faith Holiday: Celebrating Christmas and Hanukkah

    I can’t say I have ever celebrated Hanukkah in the traditional way, but I did, however, grow up learning about and celebrating both Hanukkah and Christmas. My dad’s side of the family is Jewish. He grew up celebrating Hanukkah, receiving eight days of presents, and lighting the menorah. My mom, however, grew up going to church on Christmas Eve and opening her stocking bright and early on December 25th. They worked together to come up with ways that my sister, brother, and I could learn about and enjoy both holidays simultaneously, instead of choosing one or the other. We always had a Christmas tree in our house, but we also…

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    5 Nerdy Subscription Boxes to Gift your S.O. this Christmas

    It’s often hard to find a unique gift for your significant other, especially with the holidays fast approaching. Why not surprise them with a fun mystery gift instead? Subscription boxes are an awesome way to celebrate the love of nerdy things with those you care about. Here’s a list of geeky boxes for all of your gifting needs this Christmas. If your loved one is passionate about video games, comics, fan art, books, or quirky pop culture, we definitely have you covered. Comic Boxer If your significant other is an avid comic reader, Comic Boxer will definitely make the perfect gift. This service ships 5-7 comics per month, straight to…

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    Lighten Up: Waterfront’s Spectacle of Lights Review

    The Santa Claus parades have come and gone, Christmas trees have been lit, but December has just started. Now I know the holiday season is when your wallet starts feeling light, so you’re on the lookout for something free and festive. The Spectacle of Lights on Toronto’s waterfront consists of four free light installations along the waterfront. If you’re heading to the waterfront from Union Station, just walk south on Bay Street and at the corner of Bay and Queen’s Quay is the spiral tree. All online descriptions state that it’s at the Westin Hotel, but more specifically, it’s in front of the Westin Hotel Conference Centre sign on the…

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    Making the East Danforth Pop

    The Renew East Danforth Initiative Brings Pop-up Shops to the Danforth By Kaavya Sivakumaran ‘Tis the season for last-minute budget shopping, and the Danforth East Community Association (DECA) has­—for a limited time only—transformed their side of our renowned avenue into the perfect little shopping village equipped with a variety of activities and pop-up retail. The goal of the Renew East Danforth initiative is to eventually rent out the storefronts on a permanent basis in order to increase foot traffic and bring vibrancy, fun, and safety to the East Danforth neighbourhood. “Everyone refers to the place by the Carrot Common…as the Danforth. If you say you’re going to the Danforth, that’s…

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    How-to: Holiday Gift Baskets

    Beautiful Gifts on any Budget! By Corie Benjamin Stuck for gifts ideas for your daughter’s teacher, your estranged cousin, or the co-worker you drew as a Secret Santa at work? Christmas baskets are easy but elegant gifts that can be modified to fit any person on any budget. The items in a basket can be as personal or generic as desired, so custom baskets are the perfect gift solution for those difficult-to-shop-for people on your list. Baskets can be any size or cost, based on budget and intent. Small baskets (usually based around a coffee mug or bowl) can be made for under $20. Large baskets are more elaborate, involve…