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Pet Safety Tips: How to Take Care of Your Furbabies During the Holiday Season

We love our pets. They’re a part of our families, which means they’ll be celebrating the holidays right beside us. But as much as we want to share all the joys and festivities with them, they are, of course, not actual humans with any real sense of some of the dangers lurking in the holidays. We may dress our pets up in holiday sweaters and give them a voice on their own Instagram accounts, but let’s remember that they are dependent on their humans knowing the key pet safety tips to keep them not only loved, but also safe.

The holidays are filled with foods, décor, and activities that aren’t part of our pets’ normal routines. So we should take a moment to think about how this might affect our furbabies. Most animals are inquisitive creatures – it’s adorable when they root out hidden treasures or chew the tags off our newly purchased clothes. But when you factor in all the new scenarios that come with the holidays, combined with a curious pet, the holidays can quickly become a series of dangerous opportunities.

Keep your furry friends safe while being merry and bright this holiday season by following these simple pet safety tips.

Watch the food. Some of our favourite holiday treats can actually be life threatening to our pets. Chocolate is toxic to cats and dogs; a small amount will mess with their GI system (think: vomiting and diarrhea) while a pound or more of chocolate can be deadly. While your dog might be used to rich, marrow-filled beef bones, the more flexible bones of turkeys and chickens are prone to splintering, potentially causing abrasions in the digestive system.
Prepare for the unknown. You can never predict when an accident will happen, but they always seem to come when we’re at our busiest and spendiest. A good pet insurance policy will not only take care of expenses related to accidents, dental work, and behavioural therapy, but will even board or kennel your pet should you ever be in the hospital yourself and unable to look after your pet.
Avoid dangerous décor. Some of the season’s most festive and famous greenery can be toxic to pets if ingested. Poinsettias, pine, holly, and mistletoe are all considered to be mildly to severely toxic, so either keep these plants elevated and out of their reach or eliminate them all together. And a decorated (faux) tree? That’s a giant cat toy waiting to be conquered, so avoid shiny, synthetic decorations like tinsel and ensure twinkly lights are protected with chew-proof plastic tubing.
Stock up on pet prescriptions. Always know where the nearest pharmacy is if you need to fill a pet prescription. Our pharmacists can take care of everything from antibiotics and pain killers to insulin medication, and are as committed to looking after your pet as they our human clients.
De-stress with treats. Routines tend to go out the window around the holidays and this can be stressful to pets. Keep them calm by whatever means you know will reduce their anxiety, whether it’s giving them a quiet corner with their favourite blanket, some one-on-one cuddles, or their favourite treats.
Never gift a pet. Even if you know someone extremely well, never give an animal as a gift. A pet is a long-term commitment with financial implications, and becoming a pet parent is a serious decision. If you’ve decided you want a pet for you or for your family, there are many rescue organizations that can help match you with your ideal animal.

Shop our selection of pet care products for other resources to help you care for your pets over the holidays.

2018 Holiday Gift Guide: Affordable Gift Ideas for the Budget Conscious

Christmas can be tough on the wallet. That’s why we offer plenty of great gift options to suit any budget. We’ve rounded up some of the best, most affordable gifts (all under $100), so you can spread holiday cheer while keeping your bank balance in check.

For Grooming

Give the gift of gorgeous hair with the Conair Infiniti Pro Curl Secret. This device automatically draws hair into the curl chamber where it holds and heats the hair, producing a perfect curl every time.

The CHI AIR 3-in-1 Ceramic Iron curls, straightens, and styles. Multiple heat settings can heat just the inner or outer tourmaline ceramic plates, or both, to create curls, waves, and perfectly straight hair. You can create a variety of hairstyles with just one tool!

For the men, Braun’s MultiGroomer similarly offers multiple functions. Shave, trim, and style with four length options including a 1.2mm comb for the perfect three-day beard. It’s waterproof for in-shower convenience and only requires five minutes of charging for one shave.

For Beautifying

The London Premiere Complexion Brush Set contains five makeup brushes for applying foundation, powder, brush, eye shadow, and lipstick. It’s a great starter set at a reasonable price!

Combine that with the NYX Whipped Wonderland Shadow Set or the e.l.f. Eye and Face Palette.

For Cooking

Instant Pots are still super popular gifts, but the London Drugs 6 Litre Pressure Cooker is a similar option at a lower price point. If you don’t think your recipient will use all seven features of the Instant Pot and really just wants to come home after a long day at work and have dinner ready in 30 minutes, then the pressure cooker is perfect on its own. For versatility, though, the Instant Pot is your best bet with pressure cooking, slow cooking, steaming, and sautéing features all in one device.

A classic frying pan is always welcome and the Blue Diamond Frypan offers incredible heat conduction in its diamond-infused ceramic coating. It’s about four times more thermal conductive than copper while still being non-stick and dishwasher safe.

For De-stressing

We recommended aromatherapy diffusers in our Trend Seekers Gift Guide, and the iHome Aroma Speaker with Lighting combines a diffuser with a lamp and a speaker. Three gifts for the price of one! The built-in fan spreads the scent of essential oils across the room, while the speaker wirelessly streams music via Bluetooth. The lamp functionality offers seven light therapy modes, including an option to mimic candlelight.

Crystal salt lamps are also a great option for the wellness lover on your list. The handcrafted lamps, with salt mined from the Himalayas, produce negative ions that may improve health and boost energy. Everyone loves their soothing orangey-pink glow.

For Fun!

Lastly, if you want to give a gift that’s all about fun, try Super Mario Party for the Nintendo Switch. It’s a great party game that’s enjoyable for everyone to play. And if they don’t have a Switch, we have an extensive collection of board games for more analog fun.

We’ve got all kinds of gifts for all kinds of gifters. Need more holiday gift help? Check out londondrugs.com for more great gift ideas.

Dyson AM09 Tower Fan and Heater Contest

Together with Dyson, we’re excited to be giving away one Dyson AM09 Tower Fan and Heater! See below for full Terms & Conditions and how to enter.

Dyson Facebook Contest Terms & Conditions

To enter: Comment with the answer to “what the is the temperature range of the AM09? (Hint: visit the product page to find this information)”

Contest is open to all residents of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba who, as of the date the prize draw is made: (i) have not won a London Drugs contest since December 13^th, 2017; (ii) have reached the age of majority in the province in which they reside as of December 7^th, 2018; (iii) are not employees of London Drugs, their respective advertising and promotional agencies, the independent judging organization (if any), or any family member living with any such employee.

No purchase necessary. Limit one (1) entry per person per social network per contest. Entries must be received no later than 11:59 PM Pacific Time December 13^th, 2018. London Drugs is not responsible for entries that become lost or misdirected. All entries become the property of London Drugs Limited and will not be returned.

One (1) winner will be randomly chosen on the day the contest ends (see dates below) in Vancouver, British Columbia, from all eligible entries received per contest. To win, selected entrants must correctly answer a skill-testing mathematical question and must sign London Drugs’ declaration and release confirming compliance with the contest rules and acceptance of the prize(s) as awarded, releasing London Drugs from liability in association with the contest and prize and consenting to the use of their name, photograph, voice and statements for promotional and publicity purposes.

There will be one prizes of

ONE (1) Dyson AM09 Tower Fan and Heater (L5071055, valued at $499.99)

See details and contest date below. Prizes must be accepted as awarded, are non-transferable and no substitutions are permitted. Prizes will be awarded at the closest London Drugs location to contest winners.

Contest date – Friday, December 7^th, 2018 – Thursday December 13^th, 2018, 11:59 PM Pacific Time

Draw date – Friday December 14^th, 2018

Only one prize may be won by any one person and household. In the event that any selected entrant incorrectly answers the skill-testing question or is otherwise unwilling or unable to comply in full with these rules, a new entry will be drawn.

Selected winners will be contacted by email or on the social network they were drawn from. No correspondence will be entered into except with selected entrants. If the winners do not respond then they will be notified for the second time, 3 (three) days after the first notification. If the winners still do not respond within 3 days of the second notification, a new winner will be chosen in the same manner until a winner is successfully contacted.

The chances of winning a prize will depend on the number of eligible entries received. Decisions of the judges in respect of all aspects of this contest including, but not limited to, eligibility of entries and correctness of answers given to the skill-testing question, are final.

London Drugs and their respective advertising and promotional agencies, the independent judging organization, and their respective agents are not liable to an entrant in any manner relating to the contest or the awarding and use of the prize(s).

This contest is subject to all federal, provincial, and municipal laws and regulations. By entering the entrant consents to the collection of all personal information included on their entry and agrees to the use and disclosure of such information by and between London Drugs, an independent judging organization, and their agents. The winner(s) also agrees to the collection, use, and disclosure of their name, entry, photographs, voice, and statements for London Drugs’ publicity purposes without further compensation. All personal information collected from entrants will be used only for the purposes of administering the contest and for marketing and promotional purposes as contemplated by these rules; under no circumstances will any personal information be sold or rented to third parties. All personal information collected by London Drugs will be kept in accordance with the privacy policy of London Drugs, which can be viewed at www.londondrugs.com, and in accordance with all applicable privacy laws.

The right is reserved by London Drugs to terminate this contest, in whole or in part, and/or modify, amend or suspend the contest, and/or these rules in any way, should any cause beyond the reasonable control of London Drugs or its agents affect the proper administration thereof.

Easy Ways Keep Your Home Safe While You’re On Vacation

Vacation is meant to be a time when you and your loved ones can get away from everyday worries, have lots of fun and relax. The last thing you want to do on vacation is stress about your home security. And while a comprehensive homeowners insurance policy from The Insurance Services Department of London Drugs can definitely give you peace of mind when you’re away, it’s important to complete a few simple safety tasks as well. Check out a few of our favourite home safety tips below:

Before you head out on your holiday in the sun, you should make an easy-to-follow safety checklist that will allow you to make sure your home is protected from theft, vandalism and natural disasters. You wouldn’t pack for vacation without ticking off a checklist, so why not do the same and create a simple home security and maintenance checklist too?

Protect the Inside of Your Home

Use timers on your interior lights. Keep burglars away at night by making it appear as if someone is home with lights that are set to go on and off at normal evening hours.
It’s impossible to know when a power surge will hit your home, so it’s always a good idea to be prepared for the worst. Disconnect any major appliances that won’t be in use like your TVs and computers, plugging everything else into a surge protector.
Don’t forget to set your alarm before you leave the house. Contact your alarm company to let them know you will be away from home for an extended period of time.
Don’t give burglars an excuse to invite themselves in. Secure your valuables that you keep in the house and, if possible, store jewellery and other valuables in a safe deposit box.
While this may seem obvious, double check that you’ve locked all windows and doors before jetting off.

Outdoor Safety

Will you be away from home for more than a week? If so, it’s a good idea to arrange for lawn care. You can ask a neighbor to tackle your lawn or simply hire a local service but trimmed trees and a well-manicured lawn are great for deterring burglars.
Set up timers for exterior lights as well, making sure they follow your regular night time schedule.
Prevent mail and newspaper deliveries from piling up by putting a temporary hold on your accounts. You can also have them picked up regularly by a trusted friend or neighbour, just to make sure you’re not an easy target for burglars.
If you have any hidden keys on your property, remove them from their hiding spots and put them in a safe place.
Lock your garage. Even if it doesn’t provide access into the house, any valuables kept inside are at risk of being stolen.

Protect Your Home with Comprehensive Insurance Coverage

Want to learn more about the benefits of investing in a comprehensive home insurance policy from The Insurance Services Department of London Drugs? Contact our friendly team online today to get a quote!

2018 Holiday Gift Guide: Quality Christmas Presents that Stand the Test of Time

If you want to give quality Christmas presents that will last, or if your loved ones tend to eschew trendy gifts for classic styles that withstand the test of time, this gift guide will help you choose the kinds of gifts that you’ll really love giving, and that will truly be appreciated.

For the Music Lovers

Music lovers who are dedicated to quality sound will love our selection of vinyl records ─ they sound better and they’ll last forever. We carry all kinds, everything from classics like the Beatles to newer artists like Drake.

If they already have an extensive collection, then the Kirmuss Audio Ultrasonic Vinyl Restoration System will clean and restore those records to pristine condition while the Marshall Mid Noise-Cancelling Headphones ensure amazing sound quality.

For the Cinephiles

If your recipient loves movies or television, then set up their living room with the London Drugs Rocker Recliner Chair and a new Sony 65-in 4K television. This super slim TV has acoustic sound technology, meaning the whole screen provides sound.

For the Comfort Seekers

Folks who value comfort and coziness will love Sunbeam’s heated blanket and heated mattress pad. With five heat settings on the blanket and 10 on the mattress pad (and both featuring a 10-hour auto-off function), they’re great ways to add some hygge to the home. And they’re both machine washable and dryer safe!

For the Travellers

For travelling techies, a new VIP Checkpoint-Friendly Laptop Backpack will ensure their holiday travel is a breeze. It unzips to lay fully flat, making it easy to display your laptop for security to screen, but its structured piping enables it to stand upright. The water-resistant base protects valuables from spills and weather.

Tree Frog’s Ultra Slim Notebook bags are super stylish alternatives. Their ultra-slim design features a padded interior to protect your computer, a detachable shoulder strap, a zippered pocket on the front, and an accessory pouch on the back.

For the Photographers

Nothing is more precious than memories, and the Fujifilm X-T3 mirrorless camera or the Sony Alpha A7 II DSLR will help preserve those forever. Photo buffs will love the HP Sprocket Photo Printer. It makes printing photos at home super simple, so those memories don’t just languish on a memory card.

For the Beauty Lovers

Make it a scent-sational Christmas with a luxurious gift set. Fragrance sets make a perfect gift for the beauties in your life. Calvin Klein and Elizabeth Arden both have fragrance sets available, with their signature scents and matching body lotion for the ultimate in glam.

We’ve got all kinds of gifts for all kinds of gifters. Need more holiday gift help? Check out londondrugs.com for more great gift ideas.

Daily Deals – Save Big at London Drugs December 3-23

Everyone could use a little help around the holidays. That’s why starting December 3 we’re offering more than three weeks of daily deals on products to help simplify your holiday season. From scrumptious holiday treats to designer clothing to the latest in smartphone technology, each day we will feature a great product at an even better price.

Check back here daily from now until December 23, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest Daily Deal, then stock up and make your holidays that much easier.

December 23

Silk’n Flash & Go Express Hair Removal Device is on sale for $249.99 (regular price $349.99)
Save 50% off our everyday low prices on London Premiere Makeup Brushes

December 22

Save 50% off our everyday low prices on Relaxus Salt Lamps
London Drugs Aromatherapy Diffusers are on for $19.99

December 21

Save 20% off our everyday low prices on cat and dog toys
Method Hand Wash is priced at $2.69 each
LOL surprise Under Wraps Dolls are 9.99 each

December 20

Ferrero Rocher (375g/30pc) are $8.99 each
Bonus $20 London Drugs Gift Card with a purchase of a $100 London Drugs Gift Card. While quantities last. Limit of five (5) $100 gift cards per transactions. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Offer valid in store or at londondrugs.com for in store pick up.

December 19

Save 15% on all regularly priced vinyl records
Beauty 101 9-shade Eyeshadow Tins are $6
All Profusion Sets are 40% off

December 16: Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board

It may be cold around these parts, but it’s sunny and warm somewhere. Just imagine the warm breeze blowing through your hair as you glide through the sun-kissed water on your Zray Sports X2 Inflatable Stand Up Paddle Board. Today we have an amazing deal on this summer water sports staple. At just 379.99, this can’t be passed up. Happy holidays (and vacation) to you!

December 15: Cobra Remote Control Helicopter

Buying for the kid who has everything? Here’s something to delight them: the Cobra 3.5 Channel Remote Control Helicopter. At just $19.99, you’re saving $20 off our everyday low price, so it will delight you too, and it’ll provide hours of amusement for the kids (or adults!) in your life.

December 14: Telus iPhone 8 (64 GB)

We’re making it easier to give them what they really want this Christmas: a new iPhone. Today you can get the Telus iPhone 8 (64GB) for $0 on a Telus two-year Premium Plus Plan. To sweeten the deal, we’re also throwing in a bonus $200 London Drugs Gift Card on new activations.

December 13: Conair Infiniti Pro Hair Tools

Do you have a style maven on your holiday shopping list? A trendy friend or sister-in-law who always looks sleek and put together? The Infiniti Pro range of hair styling tools by Conair is what every fashionista needs. And you’ll save 30% off our everyday low prices, so it’s a win-win!

December 12: Lindt Excellence Chocolate Assortment

The holidays can be an exhausting time with shopping, prepping, and decorating adding to already long to-do lists. Need a little pick-me-up? Treat yourself to a box of Lindt’s Excellence Chocolate Assortment (515g) and at just $12.99 (our everyday low price is $22.99), this really is a treat. Go on, you deserve it!

December 11: Jackery Titan S Portable Power Pack

Do you have a techie on your holiday shopping list this year? Shopping for someone who is attached to their device at all times? One thing all on-the-go techies need is a portable power pack. The Jackery Titan S 20 100 mAh Portable Battery is a great tool for keeping them plugged in no matter how far they stray from an outlet. At $39.99 you’re saving $60 off our everyday low price.

December 10: Christmas Cards

If you’re keeping the tradition of giving annual holiday cards, then this is the deal for you. We’re offering 60% off our already low everyday price for American Greetings Boxed Christmas Cards. With hundreds of beautiful designs to choose from, there’s a card for everyone who is special to you.

December 9: Koodo iPhone 7 (32 GB)

Due for a phone upgrade or have someone on your gift list who needs a phone? Then you’re going to like this deal. We have the Koodo iPhone 7 (32GB) for $0 on a Koodo Tab M and we’re throwing in a bonus $150 London Drugs Gift Card on all new activations! Start the car!

December 8: Hamilton Beach MultiBlend Blender

If you’re hosting the festive get-together this year, you’re going to need some help in the kitchen. We have just the tool: the Hamilton Beach MultiBlend Blender will have you whipping up sauces and pâtés in no time, and at $24.99 (50% off our every day low price!), this is quite frankly, a steal. Grab one while they’re in stock. Bonus: If you’re an LDExtras member, any Hamilton Beach purchase until December 24 will get you automatically entered for a chance to win a 2019 Toyota Prius C!

December 7: Calvin Klein T-shirts

Gents, here’s your chance to spiff up your daily wear this holiday season without blowing your budget. You’ll be sure to make an entrance with one of our Calvin Klein T-shirts in assorted styles and colours. At 60% off the ticketed price, these stylish shirts will have you looking your best without breaking the budget. Available in select stores only.

December 6: Revlon Hair Tools

The festive season means parties, lots of parties. No need to hit the hair salon before every gathering if you’ve got the right tools on hand! We’re taking 30% off Revlon Hair Tools — from dryers to curling irons, flat irons, and hot rollers, we have everything you’ll need to get your crowning glory looking absolutely fabulous for all your holiday soirées.

December 5: Pot of Gold and Lindt Chocolates

It wouldn’t be the holidays without a whole lot of chocolates, whether they’re left in a stocking by Old Saint Nick or offered to guests during holiday parties. We have an amazing price on Pot of Gold Chocolates (206g-247g) and Lindt Swiss Classic Bars (300g). Just $10 for 2 or $5.49 each. That’s a deal even Santa couldn’t pass up!

December 4: LD Gold Roasted Cashews and Mixed Nuts

No holiday party is complete without a bowl of mixed nuts. At just $15.99 for almost a kilogram of mixed nuts or LD Gold Cashews, you can keep your bowl brimming all season long.

December 3: Select Braun Men’s and Ladies’ Shavers

You’ll want to look your best at all those festive get togethers this holiday season, so we’re kicking things off with 40% off our everyday low prices on Select Braun Men’s and Ladies’ Shavers. From traditional razors to wet/dry razors and even mobile men’s shavers, we have it all in store and online.

For all things holidays, visit any of our London Drugs locations or check us out online and peruse our everyday low prices for everything you’ll need this festive season.

8 Tips for Taking the Perfect Holiday Card Family Portrait

We all know that one family that kills it at the holiday greeting cards every year. The card is always beautiful, the message inside is so thoughtful, and most importantly, their family portrait looks flawless. What’s their secret? They’re probably following these 8 tips for taking the perfect holiday card photo:

1. Decide on a style

You want your family portrait to properly reflect your family. If no one in your family would ever wear a suit and tie, then a dress code that formal won’t be a good fit. The opposite is also true – if everyone is excited to get all gussied up, go with it! Just make sure everyone is on the same page – you don’t want one kid in jeans and the other in a fancy holiday dress.

If you want to go with a cute and quirky photo, you could also add some props to the mix! Hand out some funny antler headbands, or some Santa hats.

2. Pick a colour scheme

The key to a great looking family photo doesn’t lie with matchy-matchy outfits. It does, however, lie in finding a good combination of colours, textures and patterns that work together. So skip the ‘everyone wear red’ mentality, and instead have your family work within a broader colour scheme.

3. Choose a location

Your location may depend on who plans to take your photos. If you’re planning to take the photos yourself (with a self-timer), your best bet is outdoors or somewhere in the home where you have lots of natural light. Otherwise, lighting your photo properly might be a struggle if you’re not an expert. If it’s snowed recently, there’s your chance for some great ‘winter wonderland’ shots, as well as some possible snowball fight candids!

Also keep in mind the style and colour scheme for your family portraits when deciding on a location as well, so that they all fit the look you are creating.

4. Keep your subjects happy

Not everyone loves taking photos, we get it. Sometimes, preparing a little reward is an easy enough way to keep your subjects happy during the shoot. Plan ahead and order in some pizza or have some other yummy snacks on-hand. Or if you’re shooting outside in the snow, consider having some hot chocolate on-hand to keep everyone cozy and warm in between snapshots. It’ll go a long way to avoiding the usual groans when you ask to take ‘just one more’ photo!

5. Go pro or DIY-it

You have the option of hiring a professional photographer, or taking the photos yourself. If you have smaller children, you may prefer to hire a photographer, so you can simply focus on making sure the kids are all under control and happy, instead of also having to focus on lighting, framing, and everything else that comes along with shooting.

If you’ve got a little (or a lot) of photography know-how though, then you may decide to shoot the photos yourself. The biggest advice our LDExperts can give you is to take lots of photos. That way, you’ll have plenty of options to work with later on – so you can find that one perfect shot where everyone’s eyes are open. Have a tripod and self-timer remote with you, so you can easily set up the shot, join your family and then hit the shutter release.

6. Schedule a time

The last thing you want is to feel rushed during your family photo shoot. Especially with the shorter winter days, you’ll want to make sure you schedule enough time so you’re not running out of sunlight (if you’re shooting with natural light). Ideally, the weekend will give you the most time. If you can schedule your shoot on an overcast day, that will be your best bet!

7. Get everyone in focus

The size of your family is going to help you decide what aperture you want to use with your photos. A nice wide aperture (ex. f/2.8) will give your family portraits that beautiful blurry background, but you have a lot of people in your frame, you might find that some of your family members end up out of focus. If this is the case, you’ll want to go with a narrower aperture, to ensure everyone stays in focus!

8. Keep it simple

While you might be tempted to get very creative with your photo-taking, don’t forget the true purpose of the photo: to show your family and friends how your family has grown and/or changed over the last year! So while some art direction isn’t bad, just remember that you want to have a good photo that features all your family members’ beautiful faces – not the backs of their heads, or their silhouettes.

Sharing your holiday portraits

Once you’ve got your picture-perfect family portrait, it’s time to start creating your holiday greeting cards! We’ve got lots of tips for designing your own greeting cards to give out over the holidays – check them out in this post.

Another way to preserve that beautiful family photo is by having it printed as a fine art print, like an ultimate enlargement, aluminum metal panel, or canvas gallery wrap.

And if you snapped some other great gems during your family photo shoot, you can also create some beautiful gifts and decor with them. We can put your chosen photo on a mug, a Christmas tree ornament, or even a Christmas stocking!

You can find our entire selection of customizable greeting cards, fine art prints and personalized gifts on our London Drugs Photolab website, or you can always visit us in-store or simply download our London Drugs Photolab App for iOS and Android to order on-the-go!