15TH ANNUAL 15TH Presented by Designers take on holiday decorating in 2020 — a virtual tour of homes in Metro Vancouver and Whistler... Re-imagine Gift Giving Gift Guide for 2020 Virtual Holiday Celebration New ways to connect this holiday season… Cover Image: Janis Nicolay Photography Nicolay Janis Image: Cover | Decorate Your Tree Like a pro... Nov 2020 2 I 2020 3 JB19_X298_15.75x10.75_Rodeo_r1.indd 1 2020-10-06 8:22 PM Proud supporter of Kids Help Phone 74 Stores across Canada, including the Lower Mainland: Kerrisdale on 41st & Yew, Vancouver Richmond Centre, Richmond Willowbrook Shopping Centre, Langley Park Royal Shopping Centre, West Vancouver Tsawwassen Mills, Tsawwassen HighStreet Shopping Centre, Abbotsford Capilano Mall, North Vancouver Semiahmoo Shopping Centre, White Rock Sevenoaks Shopping Centre, Abbotsford Metropolis at Metrotown, Burnaby Guildford Town Centre, Surrey Cottonwood Mall, Chilliwack Coquitlam Centre, Coquitlam View Panache Collection and more designer bedding at QEHomelinens.com 6 I 2020 7 Home for the Holidays - 201102.indd 1 11/2/20 11:11 AM THE LIGHTING WAREHOUSE DEFINING THE EPITOME OF LUXURIOUS LIVING The Lighting Warehouse has Western Canada’s largest selection of lighting products on display – invariably, a lighting utopia incorporating the very latest trends, styles, colours and technology, second to none and competitively priced. 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No One Even Comes Close. 8 I 2020 “Deep down, I really hope that my parents would just hug me and tell me they love me, that’s November 28th - 29th all I would need…” Committee Christine Cassidy (Chair) Tanya Ali Debbie Burnham Lori Sutherland Burns Toula Favreau JoAnn Harrington Crystal Hung Trish Knight Desiree LaCas Barb Lunter Gloria McCormack Janis Nicolay Jeannie Park Robyn Richardson Della Vorshuk Publication Art Director: Odette Hidalgo Writers: Christine Beyleveldt Graphic Design: Amanda Siegmann Cover Photo: Janis Nicolay Home Illustrations: Odette Hidalgo Video Production Kids Help Phone is a charity providing Kahani Pictures Canada’s only free, anonymous and confidential counselling, information and referrals for young Kids Help Phone Staff Leslie Mauro people 24/7 in English and French. You can Karen Sandberg provide the funding to ensure every young Amanda Slyter Kids Help Phone is known person seeking support gets access. Harry Wierenga for its expertise and continuous innovation. kidshelpphone.ca/donate Donate today at Kids Help Phone Our vision is a future where every young BC Yukon Region person will access the support they 570-789 West Pender St., need, in the way they need it most. Vancouver, BC V6C 1H2 T (778) 379-5437 www.kidshelpphone.ca 10 I 2020 BY CHRISTINE BEYLEVELDT Re-imagine Gift Giving GIFT GUIDE FOR 2020 For years we’ve been shying away from extravagant gifts and shifting more toward giving the gift of experiences to our loved ones. Creating memories that are long-lasting are some of the most cherished gifts we can offer, but we are living in extraordinary times, and giving the gift of experiencing life is going to be harder this year more than any other. Movie or concert tickets, cooking classes and getaways aren’t on the table this year. Here’s what you can do instead to make this holiday season a special one. FOR THE PERSON WHO NEEDS FOR THE PERSON WHO FOR THE PERSON WHO 1 FOR THE PERSON YOU MISS 2 SOME TENDER LOVING CARE 34CAN’T SIT STILL LOVES MAKING MEMORIES Who hasn’t appreciated receiving The best thing about gift baskets One of the biggest trends of If you were planning a get- a care package when they’re a is that they’re easy to assemble! 2020 has been a shift away from together with loved ones over long way from home? A lot of Pick out a nice wicker basket for in-person toward virtual meet- the holidays but, like many, are people won’t be able to join their the person who could use a bit ups, and the same can be said of unfortunately unable to connect loved ones for the holidays this of pampering over the holidays classes. From learning new recipes in-person, don’t fret. Instead of year due to travel restrictions, and pack it with a bottle of wine, to making holiday ornaments, you dwelling on the loss of cherished but targeted gifts to remind the fizzing bath bombs and a scented can continue to meet people and time together, why not brighten person you’re missing that you’re candle in their favourite fragrance. pick up new skills, and this, from the spirits with the gift of your shared still thinking of them go a long way. Goodies like fresh-baked cookies, remote comfort of your own home. memories, past and present? Build a There are plenty of subscription gingerbread or chocolate bark also For your loved one who craves a beautiful photo book online and fill packages from the Atlas Coffee go a long way as they can be made bit of mental stimulation, why not it with pictures, or start from scratch Club, for the person in your life from scratch and are easily shared. give the gift of an online master with an empty scrapbook and a who loves their daily caffeine hit, class? Learn new recipes directly disposable camera or polaroid and to Sockbox—a subscription service from Gordon Ramsay in your own make some new memories together. that sends the recipient a new pair kitchen, the art of storytelling from of stellar socks every month. literary minds like Neil Gaiman and Margaret Atwood or music composition from Danny Elfman. 12 I 2020 13 BY CHRISTINE BEYLEVELDT How to Host a Virtual Holiday Celebration THE HOLIDAYS ARE A TIME TO CREATE LASTING MEMORIES. WHILE THIS YEAR HAS BEEN DIFFICULT FOR MANY, YOU CAN STILL CELEBRATE THE SEASON WITH YOUR LOVED ONES EVEN IF YOU CAN’T BE IN THE SAME ROOM. Whether you’re isolating for your own safety or unable to travel, technology has enabled us to continue to socialize and spend quality time with the important people in our life while maintaining a safe distance. It all starts with coordinating a holiday feast. COORDINATE A PLAN VIRTUAL ACTIVITIES own decorations together—from everyone. Holiday-themed bingo 1 HOLIDAY FEAST 2 THAT INVOLVE EVERYONE garlands to snowflakes to hang in to play around the dinner table Good food brings people together, If you have little ones, incorporate your windows or from the fireplace or a classic movie that can be no matter how far apart they may some fun activities that can be mantle. Go for a walk outside in enjoyed by all are other ways be, which is why a hearty meal is enjoyed across the generations. the snow and collect fallen twigs to round off the festivities and, central to any gathering. If you’re Have everyone stock up beforehand or pinecones and spray paint your with a Netflix party app, you can planning to celebrate the holidays on tinsel and coloured cardboard own gold and silver decorations. now partake in these activities with family and friends across time paper or send them all an ornament With a little bit of guidance, in real-time even while apart. zones this year, pick a time of day kit before the party starts. Make your these activities can include that works for everyone involved ARRANGE A VIRTUAL and plan to host your feast at the 3 GIFT OR CARD EXCHANGE same time. If each person around You can also host a virtual gift the virtual table can contribute exchange. The key to hosting a one element of the recipe for successful exchange is to set a everyone else to follow—whether budget, assign every member of it’s a turkey dinner with stuffing and the party a recipient and ensure vegetables or a festive brunch with you have enough time to ship Eggs Benedict and mimosas—you gifts to one another before the can make the experience feel real, big day. To make the experience almost as if you were all together, feel more inclusive, you can also cooking together. When the meal start a card swap. Pop a festive is ready and devices are charged, card in the mail and circulate it set up a conference call on a until everyone has received it and platform like Skype or Zoom and added their own special message, set your camera in the middle of or send out animated ecards that your table so you can enjoy your everyone can enjoy all at once. delicious meal together. Plan a holiday playlist in advance as well, with everyone contributing their favourite carols, to play in the background while you cook and eat. 14 I 2020 15 BY CHRISTINE BEYLEVELDT Chocolate Lava Cake There’s nothing quite like a spongy cake with a gooey chocolate centre to warm the soul, which is why chocolate lava cake is the cherry on top of a special holiday meal.