9 Cost-Saving Ways to Host the Holiday Feast

The holidays are a time when we tend to lose track of our budget. And hosting the holiday feast is no exception. Check out the post 9 tips to save money on Christmas dinner from the Chatelaine Your Money blog in which Caroline Cakebread offers suggestions on how to prepare a feast that won't eat into your savings.

Click here to read the article or copy and paste this link into your web browser:

http://www.chatelaine.com/en/blog/post/34686--nine-tips-to-save-money-on-christmas-dinner

Bundle of Joy and Safety

We moms are vigilant when it comes to the safety of our babies, particularly at night when we can't be watching over their every move. To protect our precious ones from SIDS, we're using the HALO Innovations Micro-Fleece SleepSack Swaddle. The adjustable swaddle wrap is specifically designed to help babies sleep safer. There's space at the bottom for kicking,  but can’t be kicked off so baby stays warm and cozy. And diaper changes? No problem as the SleepSack unzips from the bottom allowing baby to stay bundled while you change her. We can now sleep a little sounder knowing our baby is safely swaddled.

$29.99 at babiesrus.ca

A portion of every sale goes to First Candle/SIDS Alliance and the Canadian Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths

Do They Know It's Christmas? - Glee Cast

It was a hit in 1984 for Band Aid and raised millions for relief of the Ethiopian famine. Today, it remains a classic holiday tune and even gets covered on Glee.

Have a great weekend, ladies, and see you on Monday!

Like this song? Purchase the Glee version from iTunes - all net proceeds go to the Band Aid Charitable Trust

Gals We Admire: Melody Rhind

Vintage clothing for kids? That's the brainchild of Melody Rhind. Get the scoop on Rhind who has built a successful business out of developing a unique children's clothing line.

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Holiday Entertaining: Buffet Table Set-Up

It's the holiday party season! If you're serving a large crown, a buffet is the way to go. Check out this video of Clinton Kelly of TLC's What Not to Wear as he shares his tips on the best way to arrange the buffet table.

6 Tips for Sticking to Your Holiday Budget

Want to avoid going into debt over the holiday season? Be sure to check out 6 ways to avoid holiday overspending by Sheryl Smolkin on Moneyville.ca where she provides tips from RBC on how to keep your shopping budget in check.

Click here to read the article or copy and paste this link into your web browser:
http://www.moneyville.ca/blog/post/1097721--6-ways-to-avoid-holiday-overspending

Story Time

We know the holidays can be a hectic time for working moms. Unwind from a busy day by curling up on the couch (or into bed!) with the kids and reading them Christmas Eve At The Mellops' by Tomi Ungerer. The four Mellops brothers all want to surprise their family with a Christmas tree. It's a sweet story that is beautifully illustrated, and reading it as a family is a delightful way to get some quality time with the ones you love the most.

$14.95 (Hardcover) at ca.phaidon.com

Christmas Time - Bryan Adams

Released over a quarter of a century ago, it's clear this Bryan Adams hit is an enduring one for the holidays. Yes, there truly is "something about Christmas time"!

Have a great weekend, ladies, and see you on Monday!

Gals We Admire: Jo-Ann James

This career gal has a real sense of purpose—and she's up every day at 5:30 am in order to fulfill that purpose. Find out what gets Jo-Ann James going every morning and what she enjoys most about her life's calling.

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Downsizing Worries

Even dinosaurs worry about downsizing!

Doodle While You Work

Find it hard to sit still during a long meeting? In If your audience is fidgeting, it may be a good thing (originally published in The Globe and Mail on Thursday, December 1st), Mark Fenske writes about how "a growing body of research suggests that engaging in what seems like needless movement may act to boost physiological arousal and alertness". In simpler terms, this means that fidgeting and doodling may actually help to increase your attention span.

Click here to read the article or copy and paste this link into your web browser: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/new-health/conditions/brain-health/if-your-audience-is-fidgeting-it-may-be-a-good-thing/article2255140/

Galactic Christmas

Your child will have fun counting down to Christmas with the LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar. Open a window every day to collect 24 galactic gifts in all, including iconic mini figures, vehicles and accessories such as a mini Millennium Falcon and X-wing Starfighter. On Christmas Eve, your little one will be surprised with an exclusive Santa Yoda mini figure. An awesome gift for a Star Wars fan who's demonstrated they've been extra nice throughout the year!

$49.99 at http://shop.lego.com/en-CA
(For ages 6 to 14)

All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey

The holiday season is upon us! Pop diva Mariah Carey secured a place in holiday music history with this infectiously festive song, which is admittedly one of our favourite modern day Christmas tunes. 

Have a great weekend, ladies, and see you on Monday!

Gals We Admire: Dr. Joti Samra

Dr. Joti Samra always knew she wanted to be a doctor, but she gets squeamish at the sight of blood. So, Samra found a way to make her dream come true—by becoming a psychologist.

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