Hillary with 2Ls 2019 Holiday Gift Guide

November 6, 2019 Hillary

Welcome to the Hillary with 2Ls 2019 Holiday Gift Guide! My friend, Caitlin, puts together amazing holiday gift guides every year and she’s inspired me to put together one of my own. Her 2019 gift guide can be found here but her older ones are packed full of great ideas, many of which are still available and/or relevant, so take a poke around her site and cross everyone off your “to buy for” list.

I tried to capture different age groups, interests, price points, mass-produced items readily available on Amazon, small shops, local shops, mom-run hustles, and I included a section at the end that focuses on subscription and experience gifts.

I had a lot of fun putting this holiday gift guide together; I hope you enjoy it and find it useful. I hope to take the brain work out of finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list.

Full disclosure: I used some affiliate links (which means I earn pennies on every purchase you make through my link) but none of the items on this list are sponsored. I have not been asked to write about anything here, and I’m not being paid to feature any of the items in this guide.

Please enjoy! And if you’ve got great gift ideas, please share with the class.

Hillary with 2Ls 2019 Holiday Gift Guide.png

1. Let’s kick this off in a festive manner, shall we? The Home Alone Holiday Board Game looks like the perfect addition to your family games night, ya filthy animal.

2. The Lego Gingerbread House is on my to-buy list. I have visions of building it as a family on Christmas Eve while drinking hot chocolate and wearing matching pyjamas. Christmas Eve likely won’t be that organized or idyllic but let me have my dreams, okay?

3. Ottolenghi Simple: A Cookbook allegedly makes Yotam Ottolenghi food’s accessible and achievable for home cooks. I remain unconvinced but I’m willing to take a chance because the food photos are so gorgeous it can double as a coffee table book even if the recipes are never made.

4. Gift any of Ottolenghi’s cookbooks with the Middle East Pantry in a Box to your favourite foodie and win the holidays with your thoughtfulness.

5. If you know someone who is interested in the Enneagram, The Essential Enneagram is interesting, engaging, and not too long or tedious to read. I like that it makes the Enneagram more of a “choose your own adventure” than a multiple choice quiz that spits out an answer.

6. I am swooning over the Lunar Calendar by Moon Bath and Merakilabbe. I am a huge fan of Merakilabbe’s art (this is my favourite piece!) and this visual calendar of the moon’s phases is stunning. Plus, $1 from every calendar sold is donated to Amazon Watch, a non-profit dedicated to protecting the rainforest and its indigenous peoples, so this gift scratches the support-the-arts, support-small-business, support-the-environment itch.

7. I’ve been skeptical about wireless charging pads but I can’t argue with the high ratings on this one. Don’t tell Shawn but Santa might be putting this in his stocking.

8. Grady and I pick up rocks wherever we go. At any given time, you can ask either one of us to empty our coat pockets and you’ll find at least a couple stones. I’ve held off buying the big National Geographic professional rock tumbler because it seemed a bit extravagant but I just found out they make a hobby rock tumbler and I am borderline giddy. I think this is the year Grady and I get our tumbler! We are going to make so many rocks so beautiful and smooth.

9. Last year I ordered a custom felt ornament by Eleanor Roosefelt and it was the best thing I bought all year.

{Photo from Instagram @eleanor.roosefelt}

10. Alison Roman is a mothercussin’ delight. Her recipes are outstanding but her Instagram game is even better. I am so excited for her new cookbook, Nothing Fancy: Unfussy Food for Having People Over. Pair it with a jar of nice olives and a link to this recipe and invite yourself over for dinner.

11. It can be tricky to buy clothes for other people if they haven’t given you specific instructions, but I submit that this sweater is universally appealing. Chunky knits, pockets, and elbow patches? You can’t go wrong.

12. This gin teacup (it also comes in vodka and whiskey) paired with a bottle of the good stuff would make an adorable gift.

13. Speaking of the good stuff, Okanagan Springs Craft Distillery specializes in the production of premium spirits created from 100% BC fruits and grains. Their Evolve Gin is a gorgeous indigo hue thanks to the addition of local wildflowers, and it changes colour (like magic! or science, whatever) when citrus or tonic is added. Proceeds from each bottle of Evolve provide funding to organizations that champion educational opportunities and empowerment initiatives for women and those affected by gender discrimination in an effort to balance the scales. Support a small (family owned) business, help fight gender discrimination, drink really good gin. It’s a win-win-win. (They’ve got other spirits if you’re not a gin drinker. I’m a fan of using their rhubarb liqueur in cocktails. Shipping is free within Canada on orders over $125!)

14. Star Wars Le Creuset. I don’t even know what to say about it. This is the coolest collaboration I didn’t even know I needed.

15. Pick up a Classic Survival Tool for every (adult) stocking you need to stuff.

16. Where to Begin by Cleo Wade tells us “your big life is made up of a collection of all of your small moments. Our big world is a made up of a collection of all of our small actions. This book is about where to begin.”

17. If you’ve got a Schitt’s Creek lover on your list (and really, whomst among us doesn’t?) this tee is a perfect moment.

18. Pair it with this Rosebud Motel keychain and maybe some mall pretzels and your warmest regards.

19. Grimm’s Wooden Rainbow is a great gift for young kids and is a winner with parents too (no noise! no batteries! not plastic!)

20. Maggie Smith has a new book coming out in early 2020 and you can pre-order it here. If you want to wrap something up for your recipient to open during the holidays, you can print one of Maggie Smith’s “Keep Moving” Instagram posts or a favourite Maggie Smith poem (spoiler alert: the best one is “Good Bones.”)

21. We were given Go The F**k to Sleep when Grady was a baby and it remains one of the kids’ favourite bedtime stories all these years later. It’s got a pleasing rhythm and is both darkly hilarious and extremely gratifying to read as a parent of kids who fight sleep. This probably means I’m a terrible parent but I read it, swear words and all, and the kids laugh and laugh. It’s a nice way to end the often fraught, hours-long bedtime routine.

22. The followup, You Have to F*****g Eat, is already in my cart.

23. Mind the Minimal makes gorgeous concrete planters for succulents. I can’t pick a favourite; I’m torn between the Watermelon and Teardrop.

24. Either would make an adorable gift with this Plant Lady t-shirt.

25. This charger for Nintendo Switch controllers is great for two reasons: it keeps the controllers juiced and it means your gamer will put their controllers away nicely and not leave them strewn about. Grady got this charger for his birthday and we love it because it works for the Joycon style and Pro Controller.

26. Squish makes artisanal candy and I see this sour gummies gift pack in my dreams.

27. The Snugabell Sprout Swaddle is a great gift for the new parents or parents-to-be on your list. Soft and snuggly, and comes in a variety of colours (including one named Poppy!) Bonus: it comes with a mini swaddle for older siblings to swaddle their stuffed animal buddies.

28. This retro alarm clock is a great gift for someone who is trying to break their scrolling habit by not keeping their phone by their bed.

29. Affirmators “inspirational-but-not-cheesy” affirmation cards would be a cute gift paired with a Little Box of Rocks and a motivational water bottle.

30. I’m lusting over Little Sycamore jewellery. Everything is gorgeous but these Sunshine Studs and February Moment necklace are stunning.

31. Jillian Harris released a cookbook with her cousin and it’s packed full of family food (with some vegan, vegetarian, and allergen-conscious options). Fraiche Food, Full Hearts looks like it’s one of those cookbooks you love to flip through for the gorgeous photography, but also want to make the food too. Beautiful and functional, my favourite combination.

32. This Bob Ross Heat Changing Mug is amazing. Who doesn’t need more happy little trees in their life?

33. Grady’s greatest wish in life is to become a YouTuber (I know) and this VTech Kidizoom Action Cam 180 looks like a fun way to encourage his budding onscreen career without having to invest in pricier equipment.

34. And because Poppy needs to participate in whatever her big brother is doing, the VTech Kidizoom Duo Selfie Camera is also making its way onto our Santa list.

35. If you love The Bloggess, support her newest venture, Nowhere Bookshop, and pick up an awesome tote for your giftee to fill with their favourite books.

36. Grady’s had this scooter for years and it’s grown with him and stood up to a lot of use. Poppy is still a smidge too small for it at three years old but it’s going on my Amazon wishlist for her fourth birthday in the spring.

37. “Grow with me” pants are the best thing about kids’ clothing. They’re great for gifting to other families because you don’t need to know the child’s exact size, and when you buy Love, Mom grow with me pants, you get the added bonus of knowing you’re supporting a small business and buying ethically made goods. And if you’re buying for a little one who enjoys a good twirly skirt, check out their dresses for full circle skirts with optimal spin.

38. If you’ve got a bearded lumberjack on your list, this grooming kit from Striking Viking paired with this beard and shave oil from sola skincare is both thoughtful and useful.

39. Hack Your Cupboard: Make Great Food with What You’ve Got is a cookbook that more than just a collection of recipes. It’s full of tips and tricks to help build confidence and creativity in the kitchen. My friend Carla helped create this book and I’m ridiculously proud but also legitimately love the recipes.

40. Do you know someone who loves their pet like a lot a lot? Splendid Beast pet paintings are absolutely delightful. One day I have high hopes of having our dog painted as The Archduke.

41. Grimm’s Wooden City & Town Waldorf Building Blocks Set is a bit spendy for a kid’s toy but it’s one that will last for years because it’s well made but also because it’s relevant across many age groups. It’s an investment toy (hint hint, grandparents. This is a great gift to give at the baby age and you can watch your grandchild enjoy it as they grow).

42. Easy Daysies daily schedule board makes our morning routine run so much more smoothly than it ever did. It’s magnetic, easy to follow, visually attractive for the kids, and makes my life feel less frantic when we’re running in a million different directions. Give this to the harried parents of young children in your life.

43. Old School Espresso Coffee Salt is a great gift for the food enthusiast on your list. Vancouver Sea Salt is a company I feel good about supporting; they serve up high-quality products but they also give a shit about our BC waters.

44. We all have a tea-lover on our list, right? I mean, tea is no coffee but I understand the appeal. The ritual, the comfort, and the gorgeous accessories — it’s a moment. The Viva Scandinavia Nina tea set in peppermint is so sweet, and paired with a delicious tea like David’s Cream of Earl Grey it’s basically hygge in a box.

45. Shawn is a car dude. When asked what people could buy for the car people on their list, he recommended Iron Off and ENVO QD + Polymer Detailer by Everything Car Care. Paired with a plush microfiber auto detailing towel, you can be both thoughtful and selfish because now your gift recipient has to wash your car. Hey, I don’t make the rules.

46. With the popularity of the Apple watch, bluetooth headphones are a great gift. Don’t fall into the Apple trap, Sennheiser makes amazing quality headphones and they have a lot of options that cost less than AirPods.

47. This Chakra Stones Set of palmstones is gorgeous. It comes in points too but there’s something so soothing about palmstones. I think they remind me of the worry stones I used to carry around as a child.

48. I’m trying to teach my kids that we don’t have to do zero waste flawlessly, that we don’t have to strive for some unattainable level of perfection, but we do have to build better daily habits to help support the earth. These reusable straws are a great way to help ease people into the idea of ditching single-use plastics.

49. This portable solar powered battery bank with LED light isn’t the most exciting gift but it’s extremely thoughtful for those who live in earthquake, hurricane, or fire zones, or the outdoorsy people who do things outdoors away from wall sockets.

50. This adorable rainbow macrame wall hanging suits nurseries, kids’ rooms, or anywhere you need a little pop of whimsy.

{Photo from etsy.com MadebyAshleyNeelands

51. dogeared makes gorgeous jewellery but their Maya Angelou collection is particularly stunning.

52. These cotton dish towels have a festive feel but not so much that they’d feel out of place the rest of the year. I am grinchy about useful things (towels! floor mats!) that have a short holiday lifespan but these can be used year-round.

52. Do you have a peanut butter lover on your list? Stirring the oil into natural peanut butter is one of the worst kitchen chores. When we get close to the bottom of the peanut butter jar, Shawn and I both get strategic about our peanut butter consumption to try to avoid having to open the next jar. We used to have one of these amazing stirring tools but it got lost when we moved into our current house (over five years ago…it might be time to splurge on a replacement). It screws onto your peanut butter jar and then you turn the lever to kind of churn the oil into the peanut butter. It’s quick and easy, and totally eliminates the dreaded oil overflow from overzealous stirring.

53. This bluetooth speaker is water resistant, which means you can listen to your favourite podcasts in the shower!

54. Speaking of your favourite podcasts, this My Favourite Murder tee is the tits.

55. If you are on social media, and your gift recipient is on social media, a great way to do a little gifting intel is to post this ranking of the top 100 pens and ask for feedback. People who have feelings about pens have feeeeelings about pens, and you’ll get an idea of what to buy to surprise and delight. For example, my go-to pen is the Paper Mate Flair Felt Tip Pen and I basically wrote an essay on Twitter to protest its placement of 58th on the list.

56. Bombas socks fall under the category of things I probably won’t buy for myself in this season of life with karate lessons and daycare fees, but I love the idea behind the company (for every item of clothing they sell they donate an item to shelters) and I hear good things about the quality. This set of Sesame Street socks is so great; I got a huge smile on my face when I saw them (especially Big Bird!)

57. This bamboo wood combination iPhone / Apple watch charging stand is a great way to keep things contained and wires out of sight. I love the idea of a charging station to cut down on the number of times one puts their phone down wherever and then can’t find it for hours and then it turns out one’s toddler found it and hid it inside a pillowcase. Hypothetically speaking of course.

58. Intuitive Tarot: 31 Days to Learn to Read Tarot Cards and Develop Your Intuition is a lovely gift for people new to tarot, or anyone who wants to better develop their intuition.

59. The Wild Unknown Tarot Deck and Guidebook is gorgeous, informative, and great for experienced tarot users and seekers who are new to the tarot.

60. How cute is this grow-your-own mint kit? It comes in other herbs too but I feel like there’s something so cheerful about mint and it’s basically a weed so even the most novice of gardeners can grow it successfully.

61. Pair the mint kit with this Moscow Mule set for the cocktail enthusiast on your list.

62. Urban Inuk makes stunning art and tools using traditional teachings and throw-away materials. This ulu and its display stand make a functional addition to any kitchen, but they also add character and beauty.

63. This Kids Book Passport would have killed with 8-year-old Hillary. Pick this up for the little reader in your life.

64. Sephora has a bunch of great holiday gifts again this year, whether you’re looking for skincare or makeup. This Let it Glow bundle is perfect for the people on your list who have Dewy AF goals.

65. I was given a Wolf & Rebel hand-stamped keychain for my birthday and it made me feel so seen. Giving a gift that’s functional and hilarious is like a drug to me.

66. The Melissa & Doug Examine and Treat Pet Vet Play Set is fun to say and looks like a lot of fun to play with.

67. Minecraft UNO!

68. There is someone on your list who wants this Dragonfly Inn tree ornament …

69. …and this Luke’s Diner mug.

70. Butter & Cheese Huggers (aka my dream job) are silicone caps that tightly embrace the open end of your butter or cheese, keeping food fresh without relying on single-use plastic.

71. Stasher Bags are silicone bags that provide an alternative to disposable baggies and single-use plastic containers. They’re dishwasher and microwave safe, non-toxic, come in a variety of sizes, and are reusable.

72. The Thistle Butterfly Puddler is a great gift for the gardener on your list. It looks like stoneware art but it serves another purpose as well; the recycled glass well holds attractants to lure butterflies.

73. Do you want to start a lively debate with your gift? Give an adorable butter dish and find out if your recipient is team counter butter or team wrong.

74. We all have to endure meetings that could have been an email, but now we can do it in style with these socks.

75. I’m a sucker for Crayola products but there’s a reason they’re so popular. They’re good quality and they appeal to kids. Their Ultimate Light Board Drawing Tablet is a great gift for those in between years when kids have outgrown toys but aren’t excited to receive socks and underwear yet.

76. The Saje Restful Sleep Kit tells your recipient you support them escaping the madness of the holidays for a midday nap and really, is there any better way to say you love them?

77. I think these construction plate and utensils are such a fun gift for a little person, but they’re also a win for parents because they’re functional too.

78. Toddlers need all the help they can get expressing their feelings (or maybe not the expressing part, but definitely the identifying part). This book helps to give them the words.

79. I bought a JOCO glass reusable coffee mug this year in an effort to find the perfect travel mug. It’s so close to being my perfect mug: it can be completely taken apart and cleaned with no nooks or crannies, it’s dishwasher safe, it’s glass, it’s easy to drink from with no splashing. The only thing preventing this from being my one true mug is that it doesn’t keep my coffee warm for hours. It’s truly just a replacement for your standard to-go mug, it’s not meant to keep your beverage hot or cold for hours on end. It’s not the worst thing in the world, I just needed to adjust my expectations and use the JOCO accordingly. If you know someone who consumes their coffee expediently and wants to help save the planet, the JOCO is a great choice. It comes in a pile of fun colours, and the 16oz size is the size of a Starbucks grande.

80. I am so charmed by this rainbow cake glass tree ornament.

81. And this wooden tree ornament of the queen (shout out to Caitlin!)

82. We go to this local pizza place that gives you your pizza with scissors and it is brilliant. Whenever we eat there I ask the servers if I can buy a pair from them and they look at me like I’m bonkers. It turns out the ol’ Google machine hasn’t let me down and I can ask Santa for my own pizza scissors this year. These have a no-scratch base so you can use them on any surface without the risk of damage.

83. The holidays are for relaxing, right? Get cozy in a onesie and hunker down for a holiday movie marathon.

84. You can get matching onesies in kid and baby sizes too.

85. You can really commit to the theme and get a matching onesie for your pupper too.

86. The Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera is so fun. I love the different colour choices and I feel like it’s appealing to a wide range of ages (though I’d hesitate to give it to someone too young to understand how expensive the film is).

87. Gurgle Pots are delightful.

88. Burt’s Bees Overnight Intensive Lip Treatment is a great stocking stuffer. It’s got a mild pepperminty scent and is thick without being sticky. Pucker up.

89. I love giving nice candles as hostess gifts and this Eucalyptus Mist pure soy candle by Rocky Mountain Soap Co is festively fragranced and beautifully packaged.

90. This bundle of reusable bamboo utensils could be a stocking stuffer, or pair it with the JOCO coffee cup (number 79) and glass straws (number 48)

91. I thought a crepe pan would be just another one-use kitchen tool that got pushed to the back of the cupboard and eventually donated, but it turns out it’s actually one of our most-used pans, even though we rarely make crepes. I love to make fancy omelettes with it, and Shawn uses it to make fried eggs and grilled cheese sandwiches.

92. Beeswax tealights are a great go-to when you’re stuffing stockings and discover you need that final thing to complete the stocking. Beeswax tealights are that thing. They’re so useful, smell great, and people love to receive them. Plus, you know, bees.

93. Kids go through a lot of drawing paper. We’ve tried so many different brands and this drawing pad is our favourite. It’s a great size and the paper is heavy enough to stand up to little scratchers.

94. Spicy Honey can be used in so many different ways (to compliment a cheese plate, on fried chicken, drizzled over biscuits).

95. Do you know a G&T lover? Do you? This gin & tonic bath set has the function factor, the consumable factor, the cheeky factor, and the gin factor. It’s the whole package is what I’m saying.

96. This Kristin Ess frizz-reducing Satin Pillowcase + French Pin set is making me mad all over again that Target Canada folded. If you are near a Target, find someone on your list to buy this gift set for so I can live vicariously through you.

97. The Moluk Plui Rain Cloud bath toy appeals to a wide range of ages, easily pulls apart into two pieces so the inside can be cleaned and dried, and looks cute perched on the side of the tub.

98. BRIO’s Pull Along Dachshund is a great toddler gift. BRIO makes toys that hold up well to toddler shenanigans and are the type of toy that gets passed down rather than thrown out. I still remember the red wiener dog pull along toy my siblings and I had when we were kids.

99. Everyone needs a Scalp Massager in their stocking.

100. This wooden honeycomb + bee tree ornament is perfection.

Experience & Subscription Gifts

I love the idea of experience and subscription gifts to reduce the amount of stuff we’re consuming, and to spread out the festivities and make it less about one wild day of PRESENTS. This is so hard with kids because they love getting gifts and people love giving them gifts and it is a spiral that seems never ending at times. I’m doing my best to encourage my kids to think of gifts outside the traditional realm of fancy plastic toy wrapped up in a box and tied with a bow. It’s a work in progress.

101. Grady was given a subscription to Mr. Quinley’s Weird, Wonderful and (Sometimes) Slightly Odd Adventures last year and we’ve both loved following along with Mr. Quinley and Annabelle Button. Grady receives personalized letters in the mail featuring an engaging story and gorgeous artwork. It’s a lot of fun for kids to get mail, and it’s even more fun when the mail is a little bit wacky.

{Photo from mrquinley.com}

102. I recently started listening to audiobooks when I drive and I quickly discovered I’m not a huge fan of listening to fiction but I can’t get enough non-fiction, preferably memoirs. Some standouts I’ve listened to: Trevor Noah’s Born a Crime, Chelsea Handler’s Life Will Be the Death of Me, Brave, Not Perfect by Reshma Saujani, and Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb. Audible memberships of varying lengths are available to gift and your recipient can listen with the free Audible app on their smart device. It’s a great way to give someone a thoughtful gift without actually giving them something they have to keep in their home.

103. Rad & Happy lettering and doodle classes are easy to follow, informative, and fun. I’m working my way (slowly) through the lettering class and I’d love to do the doodle class next.

104. Do you know about StoryWorth? It’s a way to record your loved one’s stories and it makes me feel all sorts of feelings. My grandma wrote her own autobiography and I still have it in the purple paper folder she put it in. My siblings and I are signing my parents up as part of their Christmas gift (not a spoiler, we checked in with them first to see if it’s something they’d be interested in doing) and I can’t wait to see the finished result. I’m excited at the thought of my parents’ stories being preserved for my babies, but I’m a sentimental fool sometimes.

105. Provincial Spirits is a local company that has a cute little tasting room, sells pre-mixed cocktails in tins in liquor stores, and just recently has launched the Cocktail Crew. Every month a new cocktail is released and Cocktail Crew members get a 6-pack delivered straight to their door.

106. Shawn’s brother takes Grady to the movies sometimes and it is such a huge deal. There’s something about riding in someone else’s car that’s exciting to kids (I don’t get it, but I also remember feeling the same way when I was a kid). He gets to spend one-on-one time with his uncle, eat candy and drink root beer, and stay out later than he normally would — it’s an amazing gift.

107. Life’s too short to wear uncomfortable underwear. With the MeUndies membership, your gift recipient will get a pair of the softest, most comfortable, fun unders in the mail every month. When you gift a membership, you can either control the account (choosing prints, style, etc. yourself) or hand the account details over so they can make their own choices. If you feel like giving someone an underwear subscription sends the wrong message, you could go with the sock option instead (but where’s the fun in that?)

108. The Roasters Pack is a monthly coffee subscription that’s “a bit like a coffee delivery service and a bit like a coffee magazine.” You customize your pack based on how much coffee you want (neeeed) and when your package arrives it comes with details on your coffee including tasting notes, descriptions, sourcing information, and more.

109. One year Shawn’s mom took Grady to the zoo about a month before Christmas. They spent the whole day together, went out for lunch, and explored the zoo. Shawn’s mom put together a photo album of their time at the zoo and printed a mug with Grady’s picture on it, so Grady had a present to open on Christmas morning, and mementos to remind him of their adventure.

110. Send the craft beer enthusiast on your list a Brewquet and then invite yourself over to spend some quality time together drinking beer and eating snacks.

That’s it, that’s all! If you’ve made it this far, thanks for staying. I truly believe people want quality time with and to feel seen by their loved ones, more than they want to receive presents, but a thoughtful gift can go a long way. I hope your holiday season is peaceful and fulfilling, whatever that means to you. If you’ve ever given or received an amazing gift, or if you have ideas for creative ways to give experiences over items, please leave a comment and help us all feel less stressed (emotionally and financially!) this holiday season.

Family-Friendly Summer Fun in and around Metro Vancouver

July 9, 2018 Hillary

Summer has finally arrived after months of gloom. The grey clouds have (mostly) cleared and we’re ready to enjoy Vancouver at its best. You won’t find travel plans filling my summer calendar; I’ve waited months to catch a glimpse of the sun and now that it’s arrived I intend to take full advantage of all the family fun beautiful British Columbia offers. I’ll save my travel budget for February’s dreariness, thank you very much.

The Healthy Family Expo’s Summer Family Fun Guide 2018 is a great resource for local families. Packed full of info on attractions in and near the Metro Vancouver area, it provides a glimpse of what families can expect when they visit Maplewood Farms in North Vancouver, West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish, the Britannia Mine Museum in Britannia Beach just south of Squamish, and Destination Cultus Water and Adventure Parks.

We were lucky enough to enjoy each of the five attractions featured in the Summer Family Fun Guide thanks to the Healthy Family Expo. I was a little concerned about the age gap between Grady and Poppy (would Grady at almost-seven enjoy the attractions with Poppy at just two? Would Poppy be able to participate in the fun that Grady had?), but my fears were unfounded. Each of the attractions we visited appealed to a wide age range to include family members of different sizes. The cherry on top of this fun-filled sundae was the music we enjoyed during the drive to our adventures. Jessie Farrell’s new album, Sparkle & Shine, was the soundtrack for our car trips. The nature-inspired tracks are perfect to listen to as we travel to our outdoor adventures. The tunes are catchy and upbeat and I have found myself humming "Ladybug" at work on more than one occasion (hashtag: mom life / shrug emoji). You can preview and download this album on Apple Music or order the CD online, and also catch Jessie & The Gumboot Kids on CBC Kids!

Cultus Lake Waterpark has been around as long as I can remember but I’d never been. The Cultus Lake Adventure Park was added in 2014 and together the two form Destination Cultus. As I planned my route online, it looked like quite the trek but once we got on the highway it was smooth sailing and we reached the park in just over an hour. Pro tip: if you park at the Adventure Park (the first exit off the roundabout) you’ll pay more than double the rate of the Water Park lot. It’s closer to the park, and it’s a bit nicer because it’s shaded, but you pay for it. Both parks are welcoming and inclusive of riders of different age groups, from the Honey Pots (think Disneyland’s teapots) to the Runaway Mine Train roller coaster in the Adventure Park and the Tots Castle to the Valley of Fear in the Water Park. Everyone can participate, and everyone can have fun. Make sure you buy your gem bag (available for $5 at all ticket booths in the Adventure Park) and visit the Wilderness Trail to pan for gold and gemstones.

Maplewood Farm has long been a family favourite. I’ve been taking Grady since he was old enough to toddle after the goats in the goat enclosure. This was Poppy’s first visit and it did not disappoint. My city gal’s mind was blown at every step, from the Shetland ponies where she exclaimed, “yook at dat cow!” to the potbelly pig pen where she shrieked, “yook at dose puppies!” Grady loved the autonomy of interacting with the animals, practicing his patience so the roaming chickens would come close to investigate, and braving the rabbit run all by himself. The highlight is always the goat enclosure where the kids can play with the goats. We camped out under the cherry tree for an hour while Grady fed the goats cherries he picked up off the ground and Poppy tried to boss around a herd of unwilling goats.

I’ve been driving past the Britannia Mine Museum since I was a little kid driving to Squamish to visit family. Being the first of my siblings to spot the giant mine truck from the highway gave the ultimate road trip bragging rights. Finally being able to visit and cross it off my childhood bucket list was a dream come true. They caution against bringing children younger than three and I have to agree. It wasn’t unsafe to have Poppy there with us but it did hamper our enjoyment a bit. There’s some walking on uneven ground, quite a few steps, some loud noises, and some portions of the tour are in total blackness. She and Grady both loved the panning for gold, though, and Grady learned a lot. Out of all the places we visited, it was the only one where I felt Poppy was maybe a bit too young to participate. I had a silly smile on my face the whole time we were there, even while wrangling a feral toddler. Taking a picture with my kid beside the giant mining truck felt like a full circle moment. Grady’s already talking about visiting for Easter because one of the mine employees told him a dragon visits to leave eggs for the kids in the mine tunnels.

I hadn’t heard much about the West Coast Railway Heritage Park in Squamish, which I count as a personal failing seeing as my great uncle was a steam and diesel electric train engineer, and actually drove the Royal Hudson during Expo 86. Steam Train, Dream Train is on heavy rotation in our bedtime story routine so both kids were thrilled to check out the trains. Walking around the elegant Royal Hudson 2860 was exhilarating, not only for the kids. The sheer magnitude of the steam engine and intricate detailing are breathtaking. The WCRHP is interesting and informative for train buffs but manages to be engaging for the little ones as well. The mini ride-on train provides a nice view of the train yard, and the sandpit and wooden train are great for some decompressing playtime after keeping little hands to themselves for so long.

We're lucky to have so many family-friendly attractions within day-trip distance of Metro Vancouver. It's easy to plan fun adventures that don't require a day of driving, and don't break the bank, meaning your travel fund can overflow into your ice cream fund and everyone wins.

Hands-on Cook-off Contest by Better Together BC

May 6, 2018 Hillary

The Hands-on Cook-off Contest is back! Between now and May 16, 2018, any BC resident can submit their video to enter to win some amazing prizes (like $1,000 cash, thankyouverymuch).

Videos can be submitted in either of two categories:

To enter in the Multigenerational category, at least two generations must be involved in the making of the recipe.
To enter in the Youth category, at least two youth aged 18 and under must participate in the making of the recipe.

Cooking with my kids is not stress-free, and sometimes it is not even a little bit enjoyable for anyone participating in the cooking or existing in the general vicinity of the cooking. But it's important. I want my kids to grow up with a healthy relationship to food. I want them to appreciate the care and effort that goes into preparing food. I want them to be familiar with different ingredients and different cooking techniques. I want them to feel comfortable and confident in the kitchen.

My parents never discouraged me from experimenting in the kitchen, even when it resulted in offerings such as a solitary black olive floating in a (white porcelain) bowl of water. They made me feel like I'd created a new and exciting dessert when really what I'd presented them with was a faux turd. My parents gave me the freedom to play with different flavours and made the kitchen a fun place to spend time. It's something that's stuck with me and it's something I want to give to my kids.

If you're a BC resident and you've got a budding chef, head over to Better Together BC to enter the contest, but also to check out the great resources and recipes. Good luck!

Fun DIY Gift Sets for Kids

November 19, 2017 Hillary

I love putting in the time and effort to find the perfect gift for the people I love. My gift guide has a few items on it for kids (you'll find a little something for everyone on it, so check it out if you need help with your holiday shopping) but I wanted to put together some suggestions for cool, DIY gift sets the little ones in your life are sure to love. Most kids love receiving toys vs educational tools but if you can sneakily combine the two, both the recipients and their parents will be thrilled.

For the Budding Engineer

Encourage their interest in STEM with Learning Resources Playground Engineering & Design.

Or GoldieBlox Girl Inventor Zipline Action Figure.

Paired with the sweet and sassy Rosie Revere, Engineer book and Rosie Revere's Big Project Book for Bold Engineers.

Finish your gift for the young engineer in your life with a Top Secret notebook where they can keep track of their projects.

For the Aspiring Artist

Craft supplies are always a huge hit in our house (except glitter, don't even get me started on the glitter).

The GoldieBlox Craft-Struction Box encourages tinkering with STEM-based crafts. It's definitely not for the younger crowd but if you've got an elementary school-aged kiddo on your list, this set is golden.

Or build your own kit with fun, colourful craft items like Smart Paper Edger Scissors in different cutting patterns,

and 500 sheets of colourful construction paper to cut with those fun scissors (why do kids love cutting stuff so much? I don't get it),

and the only acceptable kind of glitter: glitter glue (allll the glitter glue. Seriously, I kind of want this set for myself).

Find a container that has multiple small compartments and fill them with bits and bobs: buttons, sequins, pompoms, googly eyes, whatever you can find that someone could potentially glue onto paper.

For Your Tiny Scientist

Grady loves "doing science" and I am not science-y. At all. I have as much fun with his science stuff as he does is what I'm saying. It's pure magic for both of us.

Get in the mood to experiment with a great book. Ada Twist, Scientist is written by the same author as Rosie Revere, Engineer and is a great story to encourage curiosity. Pair it with Ada's Twist's Big Project Book for Stellar Scientists for maximum fun.

It's never too early to start promoting safety. Every scientist needs to protect their eyes with safety googles. These kid-sized safety goggles look like the type grownup scientists wear.

Liquid droppers in kid-friendly sizes are an essential part of science experiments. Set a kid up with the droppers, some plastic beakers, and water coloured with simple food colouring

Jumbo tweezers are excellent for examining items under a giant magnifying glass, or go high-tech with the Zoomy Handheld Digital Microscope.

For Wee Beauticians

My girl Tairalyn put together a DIY Hair Salon for her daughter's birthday because she's a creative genius.

{image source: littlemissmama.com} — {image source: littlemissmama.com}

Throw a spray bottle, detangling brush, wide-tooth comb, handheld mirror, and assorted hair flair in a bucket and you're good to go. Just leave the round brushes to the professionals or someone might lose their bangs (shout out to nine-year-old Hillary who had to cut one out of her hair and walked around with a half-inch long fuzz fringe for months).

{image source: miasmoccs.com — {image source: miasmoccs.com

For Little Handymen and Handywomen

Safety first! Safety goggles, a kid-sized hard hat, and high visibility gear (that doubles as a warm fleece or raincoat) send the message to your little worker that safety is paramount.

{image source: lilworkersafety.ca — {image source: lilworkersafety.ca

A few fun items that encourage learning like a toy tape measure, mini traffic cones, and toolbench will set your little one up for hours of imaginative play.

For the Future Doctor

Who's got a little one fascinated with how bodies work? Learning Resources has a great Pretend and Play Doctor Set that is actually beneficial for parents too if you want to explain doctor's procedures before you take your little one to an appointment.

Or build your own Boo Boo Clinic like Jen at Mama Papa Bubba did for her daughter.

The First Human Body Encyclopedia makes anatomy accessible for the elementary school crowd. Pair it with the Human Body Model for a visual learning aid.

And if you've recently found yourself in the "where do babies come from?" conversation, What Makes a Baby is a great book for explaining the birds and the bees to little people. Bonus points for being inclusive and mindful that there are different ways to make a baby.

For Mini Animal Lovers

My friend Andrea had a pet adoption-themed birthday party for her daughter and I love the idea of putting together a similar gift.

This Pretend & Play Animal Hospital is great for little ones to familiarize themselves with the workings of a veterinarian's office.

When they're ready to actually be the animal doctor, this costume and a stuffed animal to love are the perfect gift for future vets.

Do you have a go-to DIY gift for kids? Share it in the comments!

Disclosure: Some links are affiliate links, which means I make a small percentage of the sale if you buy through my link. Affiliate links are a bonus for me but don't influence my opinions. I've not been compensated or paid to include any items in this gift guide.

Hi! I'm Hillary (with two Ls please).

Thirty-something, mama of two, lover of lists, somewhat crunchy, kitchen dance party phenom, introvert, navigating life after cancer. Read more!

hillarywith2Ls🐝

RT @JEVLloyd: BC parents: Adrian Dix was just on CBC radio w/ Stephen Quinn. Dix says that BC's been working with the feds & th… https://t.co/h9MCr6t6Ee
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